When to return to work

[BlackMess]

How do you know when you are ready to go back to work? I’ve been off two weeks and I thought I ought to go back next week but I don’t know if I’m better yet. I don’t want to go back too soon, not least but if I had to go off again I don’t get paid for the first three days off. But equally I don’t want to stay home too long and get in trouble for taking too much time.

It’s hard to know for sure I think. Mental health doesn’t sadly work like you wake up one day and you’ve miraculously recovered (unfortunately for us 😖😂) I’d advise a phased return and as light a work load as they will give you for the first few weeks and just check in with yourself and evaluate how it’s working out. X

I have just went back 3 weeks ago after 7 weeks off, I was pretty unwell and under home treatment team for 4 weeks. Going back felt like it was prob a bit too soon as I didn’t feel back to normal but it’s had its positives such as filled time in and stopped me doom scrolling and thought spiralling at home and its been good to be around people, given me a sense of purpose.
downsides are the stress of ‘work’ x

Yeah, it’s tricky isn’t it. I don’t really feel myself but I’m not sure how I feel. I feel a bit wired - can antidepressants make you feel that way?

How long have you been on antidepressants? If only recently I’d give yourself another couple of weeks on that basis alone to settle in
my advice is don’t rush back, you need this time to reset and recover, take it and use it while you can

Consistently only 1 week, off and on for about 4 weeks

I’m on Vortioxetine and it’s definitely had me feeling similar. I still wake up with anxiety and don’t have the usual level of tolerance for other peoples shit but I’m taking one day at a time. I agree with @Potatoespotatoesagain you need to give the tablets few weeks to settle x

Hi OP I’m in a similar position. I’ve been off 3 weeks so far and have a fit note until 29th oct. Im on antidepressants for 18 days, Paroxetine and propanolol. I feel like im on a rollercoaster of emotions up and down. I feel guilty about being off from work, but dont want to go back too soon. I keep thinking I should call my line manager or a colleague to give them an update but then that makes me anxious again. Urgh its not much fun!

@Twix42 could you send a WhatsApp or text? That’s what I did. And in the scheme of things you really haven’t been off very long, some people have months and months. Give it a bit longer for the meds to settle down I’d say. I know we all feel we need to get back, for me I felt I was making myself worse by not being in my normal routine of working but at the same time now I have gone back I am quite stressed out which isnt the bes!

Thanks for the replies - I’ve been signed off another 2 weeks, they wanted to do 4 weeks but I can’t as I don’t get paid.

@BlackMess well 2 more weeks sounds good - your meds should be working by then and the worst of side effects levelled off. Try not to worry - you’ll get there in the end xxx

Sounds like a plan….hope your return to work is managed well

I’ve had to stop taking them, the side effects became unbearable

@BlackMess what type were you on? There’s lots of options so if your mood is low then you could try something else? I tried venlafaxine initially and I was ill and could t sleep, eat, had burning all over. Had to stop them and was switched to vortioxetine. Many people find venlafaxine amazing so it’s not a o lne size fits all. X

I was on Vortioxetine. GP told me to stop but offered no alternative. MH nurse is writing to secondary care for advice. I’m just feeling at this point like nothing will help.

I get what you mean about the side effects of Vortioxetine- I have felt very jittery on it and had insomnia and loss of appetite. I still wake up with the jitters and have to get up or I get overwhelmed with anxiety. I take quetiapine as well which I think stopped it from being completely intolerable. I’m on mirtazipine as well now for the insomnia. Hope you get some alternative suggestion from secondary care x

@BlackMess did you hear back about your medication? I’ve been to GP about mine as I’ve decided I can’t be dealing with the insomnia long term. So now I’m in same boat as you, waiting for psychiatrist to give suggestion of what to do . X

@MarmadukeM no, nothing yet. And I have to go back to work Tuesday. I’m frustrated as I’m no better and feel anxious about trying anything else as I can’t take any more time off if I do get side effects. I feel like I’m just gonna have to stay with this low mood unless I can find a way of improving without medication.

@BlackMess ah that’s so frustrating I bet. I mean, I have been on other antidepressants and they have been tolerable (mirtazipine) just didn’t help my mood much - have you had that one? X

I can remember trying Mirtazapine years ago and putting weight on. I’m trying to loose weight at the moment so wasn’t keen to retry it, I can’t remember whether it was effective or not.

@BlackMess yeah it’s not great for the weight 😖