Off with depression - still not ready to go back?

Thatsthespirit

I've been off the past 4 weeks with depression (on anti-depressants). I'm due to see the Doctor first thing tomorrow again and despite my family being supportive they are trying to nudge me to go back to work now (purely because they don't want to see me in financial trouble) but the truth is I don't feel ready to go back. The thought makes me feel sick. I'm still job hunting for something else to see if that'll make a difference.

Not sure how the doctor will see it or if he'll let me have more time off?

Tigsteroonie

If you don't feel ready to return to work, then you aren't ready.

And your family need to learn a little patience and compassion

Detroit

Thatsthespirit wrote: »

I've been off the past 4 weeks with depression (on anti-depressants). I'm due to see the Doctor first thing tomorrow again and despite my family being supportive they are trying to nudge me to go back to work now (purely because they don't want to see me in financial trouble) but the truth is I don't feel ready to go back. The thought makes me feel sick. I'm still job hunting for something else to see if that'll make a difference.

Not sure how the doctor will see it or if he'll let me have more time off?

Sometimes the longer you're off the harder it is to go back.
Many of us feel this to some extent even after a holiday.

I'd tell your doctor honestly how you are feeling in all aspects of your health and be guided by their decision with regards to whether you're fit for work or not.

Nervousness and feeling sick at the thought of returning would not be that unusual after a long absence, particularly if you feel work contributed to the problem.

However, with something like this, you won't really know what you're capable of until you try, so unless the doctor advises otherwise, could you not go back and see?

maninthestreet

What's the point of looking for a new job if you think you are not yet fit to go back to work??

robin_banks

Only you know when you're ready. I was off for 7/8 months back in 2003. Looking back I needed longer. It took about a year to sort.

Thatsthespirit

robin_banks wrote: »

Only you know when you're ready. I was off for 7/8 months back in 2003. Looking back I needed longer. It took about a year to sort.

Sorry to hear that, hope you're feeling much better now! Was your doctor quite supportive?

robin_banks

Thatsthespirit wrote: »

Sorry to hear that, hope you're feeling much better now! Was your doctor quite supportive?

All good now ta. My point is go back to when you feel ready, not before. That could well create more issues further down the line. Don't feel pressurized into going back.

Depression is a very personal thing in that cause, effects, severity and duration all vary between folk who sadly suffer from it.

Birdman2015

I have been off work for nearly 5 weeks now with depression. I had been feeling slightly better last week and was actually talking about going back but out of the blue I received a phone call from the boss telling me that my job is at risk of redundancy. I am in a pool of 3 and will find out this week if I am to go.

Obviously this has sent me back a bit again so assuming it is me that goes I will be looking at this as an excuse to take a few months to myself and get my head together before looking for work again. Thankfully my finances allow me to do this but my point is don't rush at anything.

Take your time and only go back when you are ready. I worked through this somehow for 18 months not taking a day off, look at the thanks I got for it.

Muhren

My experience was a little bit different to what others had said. Back in 2011/12 I was off work with anxiety/depression for 2 & a half months, and on the highest dosage of anti-depressants. My work was the main reason for the way I was feeling.

I went back to the doctor hoping to be signed off for a while longer but the doctor thought it would be a good idea to go back with a phased return. This worked well for me, although I was doing something different to what I was doing before. I don't know if that will be an option for you though, but it might be worth trying a phased return as it does help you get back into a routine. Not everything has gone perfectly since then but I am still with the company, albeit doing something completely different.

I wish you all the best and that you get yourself back up and running again soon.