Unable to work - severe anxiety- explaining work gaps?

[CoraC]

I am plannng to take some time off work due to severe anxiety. I'm no longer able to work at this point and need to take some time to allow myself to recalibrate, allow new meds to take effect and maybe get psychological help. I have tried everything to stay at work but running out of ways to cope and am getting worse. This is a new job so I don't have any leave, I'm going To have to resign with nothing else to go to. This terrifies me but so does staying at work and having a full on breakdown. I think ive hidden it from managers and workmates so far but at breaking point now.My question to you is.. how do you explain periods of not working to next employer. I don't want to get into the whole story. Please share your experiences.

[blondguy]

Hello CoraC

Good on you for deciding the take time of work while your anxiety is severe. You have a proactive mindset where you health is concerned!

I understand you as I have been in the same situation as you are.....and its a dark place to be in. I also started taking medication for this awful condition when I was working. I am glad I did as my anxiety reduced a lot after starting taking my SSRI's (AD's) Even though I was anti meds at the time

Can I ask you about your anxiety levels?....You mentioned that they are severe and thus would be awful CoraC...Do you have anxiety/panic attacks on a regular basis?

The forums are a Safe and non judgemental place for you to post when its convenient for you 🙂

you are not alone

my kind thoughts

Paul

[jess334]

Hi Cora,

I agree with Paul that it is great that you are putting your health first and taking some time off.

I have had similar short periods of unemployment over the past 10 years. I find that as long as the periods are fairly short (no longer than 6 months) the employers tend not to even ask. I also work in HR and recruitment and I have the same attitude. In fact, even with long breaks I wouldn't tend to ask the potential employee because it is fraught with danger for the company! For example if I ask why someone had a few months off and they said mental health issues then I would be at risk of being liable for discrimination if I did not hire them. Same if someone had a long break for maternity leave etc.

That being said - I would not recommend advising any potential employer of your mental health issues. There are still a lot of employers who don't understand and will refuse to employ you.

I would instead come up with a simple explanation - such as family difficulties that required your full time attention, a long holiday, or simply difficulty finding a position (in this economy this is pretty common and will not reflect badly on you).

Kind thoughts,

Jess

[PamelaR]

Hi Cora and warm welcome to Beyond Blue

There isn't much I can add to Jess and Paul's great responses, other than my own experience.

I worked most of my life, but took time off to travel for 12 months when I was about 40ish. When I returned to Australia, I finished my studies full time rather than working full time and studying part time. In hindsight these times away from the work force were times I needed to 'recalibrate' myself.

My resume was always filled with the positives of what I did during these down times - e.g. travel and study for personal growth. I tend to agree with Jess, there is still a stigma out there about mental illness and employers may look at other applicants first. So I would find an explanation that is more likely to be seen favourably for the non work period. In my working career, 'personal growth' was always looked at favourably.

It is great to hear you are taking positive action to help yourself recoupe. Well done. It is so important to listen to our bodies, mind, soul.

Keep reaching out here if and when you want.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[AradiaPatronus]

Hi CoraC

I'm currently go through something similar, I just started a new job, and I cannot handle pressure and stress really well. When I went to the interview, my employer said it was a stressful job and gets very busy, my job provider told me, I'd get use to it and I'd be fine. For some silly reason I believed her, though every bone in my body was telling me not too. Now, I have panic attacks every night (including in my sleep), during the day. But my job provider still wants me to stay there, I feel stressed, uncomfortable and constantly depressed. I want to leave, and I've been there about 2 weeks and a half. And I just don't know what to do, I feel stuck.