Getting signed off work
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi
I've been really struggling at my work the past few months with anxiety and have been to my doctors a couple of times. Last time I was prescribed beta blockers but really don't feel they make much difference. As a teacher I have just been off for 2 weeks and the thought of going back makes me physically sick. I have had panic attacks and constantly have thoughts about harming myself so I won't have to go in yo work. I have a doctors appointment on Friday and want to ask to be signed off. I'm so worried he won't though and just wondered what other people's experience of this was? I just feel I need some time to work on strategies to help me feel 'normal' again before I feel I will be fit to return to work.
Thank you
0 likes, 12 replies
vicky60291 Mightymite
Posted
Hi , Doctors should understand your concerns and recommend time to heal . Have you had your vitamin levels checked including vitamin D ? Low levels causes anxiety , panic ,among other symptoms . Friday would be a good time to see if that is why you are suffering anxiety . In most cases it is mostly the reason ... Dont harm yourself . Get to the cause , get your life back . Have your levels checked , keep us updated , to help other on this forum .
Mightymite vicky60291
Posted
Thank you for taking the time to reply. i do take a multivitamin every day but will mention this when at the docs.
vicky60291 Mightymite
Posted
Please do , if your levels are low as they do sound , a mutivitamin isnt going to help . Keep us updated
Guest Mightymite
Posted
Hi Mightymite,
I know exactly how you feel and have experienced anxiety about going to work many times. For a week I was too anxious to leave the house but made it back to work the next week.
I have found that doctors are usually happy to sign you off for a few weeks. When I went in and said I was struggling the doctor offered to sign me off. At the time I didn't want to tell my employers that I had anxiety and depression and so my doctor just wrote some vague random waffle instead. Maybe I was lucky with a helpful doctor.
One of the principles of CBT for depression is "behavioural activation". It's easy to think that "I will do... when I feel better" but in reality to feel better you need do as much of your normal routine as possible. I personally don't find lying around a home helpful and instead force myself to do things. If I am not up to going to work and stay at home, I make sure that I get out of bed at the usual time, go for a walk, make myself a healthy lunch, call a friend, etc.
I have found it helpful to tell my work about my problems and they were very understanding, especially if you say stress at work has been a factor. You could take a few weeks off and then ask to come back on a part time basis. If you don't feel up to the commute you could take a taxi or ask a friend to pick you up. Usually when I have gone back to work it has been much better than I expected.
Beta blockers only mask the physical symptoms of anxiety. I have found them to be of limited help. I would consider taking an SSRI. They take a while to work but can be really helpful (during which time beta blockers or benzos can be helpful). Sertraline is a commonly prescribed SSRI for anxiety.
Good luck and get well soon,
Mightymite Guest
Posted
Thank you so much for your helpful reply and taking the time to pass this on to me. Really appreciate it.
vicky60291 Guest
Posted
Please your vitamin D levels checked as well ed . Symptoms says yours are low .. Get your life back !
Guest vicky60291
Posted
Hi Vicky,
I have had my vitamin D levels checked loads of times and are always at the top end of the range, as I use a high quality, easily absorbed vitamin D3 supplement. I also take a decent multivitamin, omega 3 (DHA,EPA and ALA), additional B12 (as I am vegan/vegetarian), a prebiotic (Bimuno) and a probiotic (VSL3).
I agree it is good to have these things checked but unfortunately not all symptoms are down to vitamin deficiencies. A good GP will check all these things if you go in with symptoms of anxiety.
Best wishes,
Ed
vicky60291 Guest
Posted
You are right Ed. Low levels are nit always the problem yet 90 % is the case . Can i ask what your levels are ? And your D3 dosage ?
Guest vicky60291
Posted
Last check was 105 nmol/L (which is mid range) and I take 75ug D3 daily.
anthony02425 Mightymite
Posted
Hi there I also work in a primary school and my anxiety and panic attacks got so bad was off four weeks before Christmas holidays and Sunday night just gone got so bad I'm still on sick leave but telling the principal and staff the truth helped there being brill texting etc. I've been told take as much time which I will to get me back to some normal state I'd recommend u do the same to help u there are plenty subs there and once u get sick leave u, ll be okay
jmarti41 Mightymite
Posted
I'm in the same boat, going to work is a serious struggle. And I'm too scared to ask off so I just suffer through it 😩 Hopefully you'll be able to get approved! I know how hard it can be to go to work with major anxiety
ted46777 jmarti41
Posted
I had the same issues and I got signed off work 2 months ago. I see my doctor every 2 weeks and get a new cert. I'm scared that I will be fired or treated badly at work for taking so much time off.