I need to call in sick, but should I tell the truth?

[Crossfitgirl]

I have an awful headache, I feel sick and I've hardly slept, my heart has been pounding.

I'm not ill, the reason I feel like this is because I've been stressing all night about the week ahead at work. I've had huge problems with an overwhelming workload and ever increasing demands at work recently, which I have already tried to address with my manager but no practical action has been taken to help me except an understanding nod and a listening ear.
I know this particular week is going to be horrendous and I am already anticipating that it may send me over the edge.

I feel awful, and I feel I need a couple of days off work to just get my head straight. Should I tell them it's due to stress or would you just say its a bug for the sake of a few days? I know provisions are better the week after and my diary isn't as packed, I don't feel it's so bad I need more than a few days, but I can't go to work like this.

My manager is understanding but I don't want to have to be pushed to go to the doctor or for everyone else to know (team gossip spreads whether it's confidential or not).

Should I be honest or should I just make up a virus / illness to have the days I need?

If nothing is done, it will happen again won't it? If you are so affected by work stress that you're getting close to a breakdown, you need to tell then ASAP to give them a chance to do something about it before it's too late. So yes, be honest.

Think honesty would be better in this situation say to your manager you are feeling overwhelmed and it’s causing you stress. Hopefully they can sort something to help you op. Can you ask for a meeting with occ health?

I would probably say ‘I feel terrible, I have a banging headache and think I might be coming down with something’ but when you feel up to it and get back to work then ask to speak to the manager and tell them you feel it’s stress related and that a plan needs to be put into place to avoid to it happening again. Are you a member of a union? If so your local rep should be able to help