What to say to work

[Restee]

I'm reaching (have reached) burnout. I need to go off sick. I have no idea how to say this to work. It's like my mouth won't work and I can't find the words. I'm so scared. What if I never get better.

If it is bad enough that you can't go in today (or next shift, or whatever) you might not have to give a reason when you phone in sick. Say something like:

"I cannot come in today as I am too unwell to work. I am booking a doctors appointment and will get in touch when I know more about when I can return to work."

Then go to the doctors and they will agree with you what to write on your note. (GP will have experience of what is "expected" on a note.)

In theory the person you contact at work shouldn't ask what is wrong with you, but they often do. So have an answer ready- maybe write down a sentence on a bit of paper that you can refer to- like:

"I feel as though I have a virus or something. Feel feverish and my brain is barely functioning. I will ask the doctor for advice."

(I'm not suggesting that you lie, just trying to think of a way to describe symptoms in a way the colleague you phone up won't dismiss.)

Then immediately try to book a doctors appointment. Hope you can get one quickly!

Sorry for missing your kind reply. I am managing so far as the baby is sleeping much better at the moment so I will see how I go when the next regression hits xx