Hi all I've been off work for 10 weeks due to anxiety and depression and have slowly been getting better with councilling I went today and they had to cancel my appointment because of a situation at the surgery so I booked for next week I was thinking of returning to work this week but have decided that I'm not quite ready so am going to get another sick note some of my family think I'm having too long off work but it's hard to know what to do when you still don't feel right
Opinions please
I think your employer will need a signngoff note first. This depends on the type of work that you do. Why does your family think you have been off too long?
From my experience I had 2 months off work and I think I went back way too early. I was still trying to process what was happening with my anxiety (stress breakdown induced) as well as being a guinea pig for different types of AD's to help (none did) and battling side effects on top of the anxiety and depression. It was very difficult, even part time. I had lost a lot of weight in the process and just had no energy at all. I ended up lasting 1 month then going back off for another 2!.
The thing is, once you're back in work everyone's attitude changes towards you and yours does towards the job I think. It's a major shock to the system..
All I can say is have as long off as you can either afford or think it's going to take to get you're health back on track.
Unfortunately I don't get paid for being off so it was a catch 22 as my job / environment is definitely causing my problems.
Just the fact that they act shocked that I'm taking more time i don't think they fully understand the affects of anxiety and how it makes you feel
Thanks for replying I don't get paid either I only get ssp but I do have some saving to fall back on and not many bills that's my issue I feel like if I go back before I'm ready then I'm not gonna last at work . They are being really good with me and said that I can go back part time to start with and not putting pressure on me to return until I'm ready.
I was about to suggestthat you ask your employer if you could try to be rehabilitated bk into the workplace. However it is good that yyou are able to trythis. Perhaps give it some thought. It may be the best thing for you. It depends on the type of work you do however.
I was off many years ago for clinical dep and anxiety - I took 5 weeks and mydoc was happy to sign me for longer but I could tell my employers were not happy; it seems they thinkyou are milking the system. I did go back but it made me feel really shaky - and I can't tell you the size of my in basket full to the top of letters I had to repond to - I nearly had a relapse. MY blood pressure shot right up after being ok for 5 weeks and my face went redder by the hour trying to get through it all. When I got home I burst into tears after a long long day and my hubs was fuming they had done that to me. Especially as I was know for never taking time off work in 10 years I had been there. Loyalty went out of the window. I never felt the same way about them after that and I used to love my job. Stuck it out for another couple of years but was cross with them and took early retirement and bp came back down. Work does not replace health. I do believe in getting back into it to be with people again and asquickly as you feel able; but I don't agree to it just to shut people up and end up back to square one.
Take care.
The healing process is different for everyone. Ten weeks is a considerable amount of time. Does your treatment plan only consist of therapy? At this point I would consider talking to your doctor about medication, at least for the short term. He/she may not recommend it but it's a discussion to have with them. I was out on leave for roughly a month. It was painful returning but I found it was harder to return the longer I stayed home. I hope you find the help you need and get better soon.