Working with a serious mental illness

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

I'm a medical professional working with a serious mental illness that causes serious psychosis and hallucinations, I am controlled on drugs and I've never had a day off sick with it mainly because if I started going off sick I'd never stop and I think I'd just fall into the abyss.
At the start of covid there was so much support and manager calling every week to check that I was ok and not getting too stressed and so on, it was nice to have the support.
A year later as covid continues I never hear from anyone, the work is being piled on, nobody calls any more and every email is why haven't you done this, that and the other yesterday. Nobody cares anymore about staff welfare it just seemed to be a short early covid fad, they only care about you doing double work double quick.
I know I'm slipping because last night I heard someone walking about in my bedroom talking to me and I live alone. It wasn't real because nobody can get into my house, it's like fort Knox.
I think my managers will self combust if I ask for less work we are so busy. Not sure what to do really.

You need to tell them that you aren't well. Do you have Occupational Health? Ask for a referral if you do.

Presumably this is a life long condition and as such can classify yourself as having a disability that needs reasonable adjustment.

Speak to your doctor and get yourself whatever help you need. Worry about work after that.

You need to tell them. Ethical management of self and all that.

Tell your manager, HR and occupational health and your GP ASAP.

I delayed, thinking my mgr/team would combustion if they knew how ill I was. They didn't. I was supported. I ended up having a lot longer off than I wanted/expected but I desperately needed it. I wish I had asked for help sooner.

Please take care of yourself

I agree you need to let your manager know and let them refer to occ health
If you are feeling that under pressure it is making you unwell I think you do need to tell them to hold up on the work (I know that is not easy)
I know the isolated feeling my management is much the same and only really called when i sent panicky incoherent email
I hope you feel bit better soon

Would a medication review be an option as well?

I hope you're okay OP, it's scary to feel your symptoms rear their heads.

Your CAMHS nurse or contact if you have one first (or GP if not). Then occupational health and your manager: they have a duty to support you if they can and from their point of view you'll be a more effective member of staff if you can have the time you need to get well first. You taking a lower workload now and getting time off if needed to rest us likely to result in less disruption than your symptoms becoming completely unmanageable and causing a bigger or longer breakdown or inability to work, anyway.

Give yourself permission to get better, work will deal with it.

Thanks everyone, I will contact GP, occ health and my team leader again. The last thing anyone wants is a psychotic attack while I'm at work.

Please get help
You’ll be unable to work as effectively or as safely if you’re unwell
You’ll also be surprised how relatively easily the managers WILL find an answer to this.
Don’t feel guilty- looking after yourself is really important

How are you getting on OP?
Hope things will start getting a bit easier for you to manage