Stress

londonman81

I've been going through a stressful time at work, the details of which I won't go into.

Right now, I feel as though I am stressed almost to the point that I cannot go in to work.

However, I am very reluctant to get signed off by the doctor for stress because I am worried that this would go down in my medical history and potentially hamper future opportunities.

Should I be worried about future consequences of being signed off for stress now?

jazzyjustlaw

I carried on then had a breakdown and am in my fourth month off. I carried on too long!! Up to you but I wish I had taken time off sooner. What is he situation are you being bullied or is it stress of the job or both??

londonman81

What were the first symptoms of your breakdown? How did you know you were breaking down?

My situation is mainly personnel related - possibly could be counted as bullying.

Sambucus_Nigra

Have you put a grievance in for the bullying?

jazzyjustlaw

Headaches,nausea,palpitations, not sleeping, crying, upset tum.

marybelle01

In health terms, you should be doing what you feel is necessary to protect your health, regardless of what consequences it may or may not have. Damaging your health also has consequences. So I wouldn't rely on taking advice from strangers, no matter how useful that advice may be - they aren't you, they don't know how serious your health condition is, and they don't know your circumstances. Some people are very capable of handling stress and others aren't. Only you know whether you are coping or not. And only your doctor knows if they will sign you off anyway - there are more options available than simply signing you off work.

As for the situation at work, you don't have to tell if you don't want to, but you'd get more productive advice asking for help with the situation. If you haven't done anything about it, then being off sick won't make it go away, and depending on what it is, it could make it worse.

Kynthia

Stress can lead to a full breakdown. I know someone who ended up having a breakdown, was off work for six months and 2 years later is still on medication. The doctor has told her that she will always have to be careful and monitors her closely. She has to do 5 exercise classes a week and avoid jobs where she's under a lot of stress. Therefore if you're heading down that route you need to take action. Getting signed off is a possibility but so is dealing with the cause. If you can do something to solve the cause of the stress then that would be the best thing as doing nothing could have serious consequences for a long long time.

juliebunny

Ha, when I went to my doctor about stress/bulling at work she told me that I was lucky to have a job, but I just simply get another one!!

I then rang an employee assistance helpline we have who were great. I'm guessing most people don't have these but there are other helplines such as the Samaritans.

Do you have friends you can talk to about this? Often just taling about it helps. Assume you are job hunting too?

HeadAboveWater

If you don't have your health you won't have any job. You need to do what's right for you now.

I debated for almost a year about going off on WRS but didn't. Until I woke up on my sisters kitchen floor from fainting! :eek:

I was looking out of the place so was applying for loads of jobs. Finally got something after 4+1/2 months being off on the sick. My new employer didn't know I was on the sick. My current employer doesn't know I was on the sick. If they ask me I'll tell them. But they haven't asked. My reasons for leaving were 'personal'.

aandp_2

Your health is the most important thing, I ignored feeling tired, down, unhappy for 7 mths then I had a breakdown back in March.

I let it go to far and ended up not remembering 3 days off my life and even not seeing the Dr. I`m still off sick with depression, anxiety & panic attacks and also (with knee injury now) I so wish I took measures before hitting the wall.

I was worried about how it will affect working, rferences etc, now I just want to get well and will deal with work etc when better.

juliebunny

Most company references these days (from large companies at least) simply state the dates you worked there and your job title. our company doesnt give out ANY other information.