1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Depression

how do i know if i should be signed off work?

Posted , 5 users are following.

rachael57421
rachael57421

hi, I have just joined this site and am hoping to get a little advice. I have severe depression, anxiety and OCD. I am on Sertraline 200mg and go to therapy and counselling. Recently I have been really struggling with work. My manager knows briefly about what is going on and is being really supportive, however I think she may be starting to get annoyed with me, I have had quite a few days off, once unable to leave the house and the thought of doing so cause what I think were panic attacks. I panic before going to work, and the night before work I count how many hours I have left before I start. Im worried I break down in work or worse. I work with children, and I absolutely love my job, I just don't think I can cope at the moment. I practice my 'happy face' and tones of voice for ages before I start and talk my self through getting out the door. I also cut myself, and it is getting worse before I leave for work as I feel it calms me down and also kind of a punishment for being lazy and useless. (I feel lazy about struggling with work) I would love to discuss how I really feel with my manager but I am petrified that she'l want me to leave altogether. I thought maybe getting signed off for a week or two may help however I really don't know. I know ill struggle with money as I will only get about £70 a week,according to the web and my rent is more than that alone. I also don't want to let my team down, or my boyfriend who already works extremely hard. I would really apprieciate any advice, thanks for your time.

XX

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Mtm
    Mtm rachael57421

    Posted

    Only you know what you can deal with but before you bow out, think about it.  It might be your strong hold and keeping you grounded.  I have had those days when I thought I couldn't deal with my wife or children let alone someone in the public.  Owning my own business I didn't have a choice.  Now I am kind of glad, because I think I would have given up.  Yea I am medicated slightly at work but just so I can function well.  It is tough.  Hang in there.  Push yourself but not so hard.  I feel for you.  You are not alone.  
    • rachael57421
      rachael57421 Mtm

      Posted

      hey thank you for your advice. Im glad your feeling better! I have a docs appointment tomorrow morning so im going to talk to them and see what they think. I never thought it would be so difficult to decide wether to be signed off or not! I know what you mean about giving up, my friend is worried that if i do get signed off ill become house bound, but she is also worried that if i dont i might crack. so confusing! Thanks for your help =) 
  • black_sheep_pete
    black_sheep_pete rachael57421

    Posted

    You need to tell your Dr what you have posted. You are in the same situation I was in, and by not taking time off I got worse.
    • rachael57421
      rachael57421 black_sheep_pete

      Posted

      Hey, yeah i have a doc appointment tomorrow so ill explain how im feeling to them. Did you take time off in the end? How are you feeling now? Thanks for your help =)
  • Robertalan
    Robertalan rachael57421

    Posted

    hi how long have you been taking your medication if you ve just started taking it it might not have kicked in ? and you might feel better once it start to get into your system . if you ve been on it a while and you still feel terrible then i would be talking to my doctor about a different drug . Right now you just need time to feel better and be able to cope . I hope you feel better soon and try not to worry you will get there !
    • rachael57421
      rachael57421 Robertalan

      Posted

      Hey, i have been taking sertraline since november, so roughly 6 months, i started on 50 and got upped to 100 after about 3 weeks, then upped to 200 about 3 months ago now. I was told that they will take a while to work, however i thought i would be feeling at least slightly better by now, but i seem to be worse in a lot of ways. The thought of having to start all over again scares me, do you have to get weaned off a drug before starting a new one? I have explained to my Dr that i dont feel they are working but he wants me to stay on them for a bit longer, but i have an appointment tomorrow and i will explain again i dont feel they are working. This is the first time i have ever been on medication like this and i dont know much about it, i have googled it but there are so many different views on antidepressents. I refused them at first and now im wishing i stood my ground and didnt take any as it seems to be causing more issues than before i was on them. Are you on medication? If so what kind and do they work if you dont mind my asking? Thanks for your help =)
  • lau188
    lau188 rachael57421

    Posted

    I understand how you feel, i have and am in the same situation as you. I have been signed off work for 4 weeks so far and luckily have been paid my full pay by my work so you may find you get paid your full amount for a certain amount of time before it goes to ssp. I am suffereing from glandular fever aswell atm aswell as depression and have been on citalopram for almost a year since loosing my baby through complications during pregnancy.

    If i was you i would stop worrying about how others are going to think and worrying about rent ect and look after youself, if your body is telling you that you need to rest then do it! go to your doctor and explain how you are feeling and hopefully they will give you a sick note to hand to your manager.

    I find taking gentle walks around the park helps smile and getting stuck into an interesting book.

    My boyfriend tries to be supportive he also works long hours and i do feel guilty about being at home whilst hes going to work but he doesnt suffer with depression or glandular fever like me.

    Hope i helped! x

    • rachael57421
      rachael57421 lau188

      Posted

      hey, thanks for your reply. So sorry to hear about the loss of your baby that must have been awful!

      I know i need to stop worrying about how other people see me its just a horrible thought thinkin that if i do get signed off people will think im lazy and giving up. I think that is also part of my problem, i worry far too much about how people see me and about keeping them happy rather than myself. I have been trying to work up the courge for about a month now to talk with my manager about how i am really feeling and am hoping to manage today. I was meant to have a Dr appointment this morning but had to reschedule for tuesday so am hoping to get the chance to talk to my manager before i have the Dr.

      I am certainly getting worse, having thoughts of breaking my arm or smashing my head to get signed off and that way people wont think it is something i made up but i know that wont help.

      My boyfriend is the same, he tries hard to be supportive but i dont think he really knows how much i am struggling and i think he believes i am just overreacting (although i am a very paraniod person and it could all be in my head). Im like that at work aswell i feel people are out to get me and talk about me behind my back although i have nothing to solidify these thoughts. I feel that i am genuinly going crazy.

      Sorry to talk about all that rubbish i get carried away as i find it hard to talk aloud but typing to poeple who have experienced similar things and who (hopefully) wont judge me feels so much better.

      Thank you so much for your help! =)

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.