The single track road - life on a different path

stepuptothepl8

If you're worried about not knowing what to say, why not make a little list to take with you? It'll get you started.

I wonder, have you thought about contacting Homestart? It might be a way of feeling less isolated..and I hear good things of them.

Big hugs xxx

MeandO

Thanks Stepup, i'll take a wee look xx

Levi-

Me&O- tap me up properly on this if it comes to this point but I am able to tell you that if your doctor attributes your problem to depression/anxiety then you will be covered by the Equalities Act 2010 within your workplace and you can rightfully request the absence be recorded separate from their usual absence monitoring policy as doing so would put you at a disadvantage, which ultimately would constitute a disability discrimination. If they will not, ask them why not. Write down everything in letters.
If you were put to any disadvantage such as a warning, poor job review, selection for redundancy etc which had ANY LINK to an illness covered by Equa10, you would have strong grounds for a very serious complaint and this is an area employers play on the safe side of to avoid trouble. Dealing with these things is what I do at work all day long, so if and when you get in any of these trappings, talk to me and DO NOT worry about that as a reason not to pay due attention to you health. Health is wealth, honeybun!

Levi-

Oh, and trust me I had the same worries about seeming like an unfit parent due to mental health issues but don't believe what is in the media when they print horror stories on this kind of thing. There is nothing in the world to suggest you are nothing other than a wonderful, dedicated mother to O and addressing this is another responsible step.

liltdiddylilt

Hey lady

My Doctor was incredibly understanding with me. I have been signed off with stress more than once and at one point I said no I couldn't be signed off as it would make work very tricky. He immediately put the white pad away and sat and talked to me instead. The aren't silly you know. They are trying to lower the levels of stress and anxiety, not make it worse by causing you more issues. At the end of the day we all just want you to be happy and healthy.

And as for not having that person to call in your moment of panic... there isn't a single one of us here talking to you who wouldn't pick up that phone if you called, no matter the time of night. Friends are the family you choose for yourself. And in your case, we choose you.

I've been there, done it, got the t-shirt. And had the chronic lack of parental understanding on breaking up with my ex. They knew better than to say a word when Him & I split. I very nearly stopped talking to my family altogether as they chose my ex over me. Invited him to Sunday dinner every week and left me sitting on my own in the house I still had to share with him. Use every barb as an additional piece of armour hun.

Homestart are pretty fantastic. DFW123 volunteers with them if you wanted to know more about what they can do!! xxx

liltdiddylilt

Wow Levi. Super advice there forgot your job role. Wish you had been around when I was going to work on 20 minutes sleep for a few weeks on end back in the day!!!

Levi-

Me too Lilty, I would have gladly helped put a stop to that :)xx

System

I'm so sorry that you feel like this Hun A week ago today I was in my GP's room crying and crying and telling her how I was feeling. All she asked was "How are you?" and the words just came out. I had been bottling it all up for 2 years, when my eldest was born. Turns out I have postnatal depression, and I'm now on citalopram. Today is day 6 of taking them and I can definitely see improvements already. The anxiety is a lot better for a start,

I was worried for a second that Social Services would be involved and that my babies would be removed from me, but I needn't have worried. And you don't need to worry about that either. Anyone can see how much you love O and that you're a great mum, you're just going through a rough time right now. I promise that once you tell your GP how you're feeling, you'll be glad that you did.

Have a safe journey tomorrow xxx

greyfox

"The Gang" have given you some really good advice & I really can't add anything more. Hope your trip to your parents isn't too difficult.

Look after yourself,

GF x

hummingbird

I've seen this really late lovely but just want to say I was at the docs on Friday and I cried too!!!

I agree about writing a list - I wish I'd done that as I did forget a few things I wanted to say, but I'm going back in 3 weeks so will take a list then!

Hugs xxxxx