Just been signed off for two weeks - work related stress. Now what?

[TawdryTatou]

Mortified, guilty, scared

Feel like a failure.

No hijack, Wolfie. If my thread helps you to take some time out, then I'm glad I started it. Go see your doctor, would be my advice.

Thank you to all who have posted. You're making me feel like less of a fraud.

I think you might be right about Facebook. I've had a couple of snide messages from someone I thought was a mate, telling me she's jealous and not to feel guilty that she has to look after one of my tough classes. She's not even got a teaching role.

Oh, and another email from my HoD today.

You sure find out who your friends are at a time like this.

This was me in May - I was off until September, all told. Thought I'd be okay after that ... Resigned on Dec 16 after 12 years at that school, and 15 years teaching altogether. I no longer want to be a teacher and I have my "JobSeeker's Interview" on Friday.

I don't feel capable of writing a CV or attending an interview without further guidance. I am shot to shit.

Don't let it get to that stage, OP, or anyone else. Get out before you feel like ending your life rather than carry on teaching, like me. My rock bottom day was Dec 9, and I'm still here because I lacked the courage to do anything. Now taking ADs.

Oh, and tonight is Y10 parents evening - sure as hell won't miss that particular treat!!!!

Tawdry I'm a teacher too and I have a similar boss (although I have the advantage over you of teaching in a school with minimal behaviour problems). Just wanted to echo want everyone else said. You are not a failure. Send one last email to your boss (copy in your union rep if you can) stating that as you are off sick you will not be looking at your work emails until your return. Copy in the Head as well now I think about it - it may be that s/he doesn't know that your HOD is doing this.

Also, I would either step away from facebook entirely or hide/defriend any work colleagues. Those comments are not helpful.

I'm seriously trying to get out of teaching altogether because it's starting to affect my health. I've given it ten years and I figure it's time to hand over to a younger generation (I really don't feel it's a family friendly profession). Need to sort out where I'm going instead but I have an escape plan forming!

Have lots of rest; it is ok to even have fun or enjoy yourself in this time! Just make sure that when you return you have thought about what needs to happen to prevent you being in this state again.

Are you a member or a union? Contact them and find out exactly where you stand wrt the naggy emails.

Or contact Teacher Support Network who will also have lots of advice for someone in your position.

Do not feel guilty about going to your dad's party - it wasn't that that was stressing you out!

...member of a union...

Tawdry Forgot to say, when I was off in the summer, I even went on holiday for 2 weeks to see IL's in Lanzarote.

You can do whatever you feel you need to to get better.

Did feel a bit guilty to find out OfStEd were coming in the second week of the holiday ... for about 30 seconds!!!!

Meow, I'm sorry you've had such a tough time. I hope things improve for you soon.

I knew I'd hit rock bottom when I woke up the day before the Easter term started thinking "I've got 24 hours to break my leg".

A few months ago I was driving to work and a car nearly hit me. Instead of being relieved, I thought "shit" - actually said it out loud - because if I'd been hit, I wouldn't have to go to work.

The GP was a bit taken aback when I told him those anecdotes. I thought it was normal :(