Getting signed off with stress

[AnonymousAli]

I work in the NHS and lately (I say lately but probably the last 6 months at least) work has been the most stressful I’ve ever known. People are leaving and the work load is excessive. Line manager is not a supportive person and only highlights everything you are doing wrong. I truly dread going in.

I am never off sick. The thought of even calling in sick gives me major anxiety and I’ve been known to go in with chest infections and tonsilitis before now.

I feel nervous to go to a GP. I don’t often need to go to the doctors so I would be talking to a complete stranger. I feel I would embarrass myself by being a blubbering wreck. Is it appropriate to do one of the E-consults online and explain how I am feeling?
How much time is it possible to be signed off for?

Surely you need to speak to your GP if the stress has got so bad, it's actually making you unable to work?

You could do an econsult but depending on your practice you may be waiting awhile for a response, and the GP would likely want to talk to you anyway. Don't be embarrassed, every GP I've spoken to about my mental health has been so professional and helpful about it. They wont judge you or anything. They want to help.

They will usually sign you off for 2 weeks initially, but it's very easy to get it extended multiple times (most surgeries you don't need to speak to GP again for an extension, you can just request if online or via the receptionist and then the GP will approve it)

I think you can self certify for 7 days. Maybe do that to begin with and try and get to a gp 💐

I can do my job, just not without feeling very stressed. I don’t sleep great for thinking about it and not being able to wind down. Just quite burnt out really.
I think I just fear being made to feel stupid at the doctors and like I’m just lazy and wanting some time off 😕 we all have those colleagues that take the mick!

Thank you
I thought it might just be easier to write it all down rather than try to explain through tears in person😅

You should definitely get signed off, OP. Doctors are completely used to it - so much of the NHS workforce in particular are currently signed off with stress - they will honestly barely bat an eyelid. They'll give you a month and maybe prescribe some antidepressants or try to get you to think about counselling and lifestyle changes.

Don't make it into a big thing in your head - just go in, tell the doctor you're stress and need to be signed off, and tell your manager the same. Then relax. You need it.

There are online GPs, would it be easier to talk to someone on a video call rather than face to face?

I have to wait at least 4 weeks for a GP appt so pretty useless in an actual MH emergency.