Health Anxiety? Needing time off work

[CatPxl]

Hi All,

The particular problem that's getting to me at the moment is asking for time off and seeing a doctor to get the time off. Nearly a year ago I started a new position at a new company to help a friend out. I took a huge pay cut so even from the beginning it was effecting my life financially. I'm not a materialistic person but I hate to not even have $1 left in my account at the end of some weeks if I need it. Coming into the job was already a big task, there was years of work built up that needed to be fixed and completed and that was my job but on top of that I had to continue to fill the requirements of the position while handling the backlog of work single-handedly in a job suited to at least three people.

I had just started to go into recovery for an eating disorder right before I started the job and I was getting to a point where I could manage my depression and anxiety well without help or medication. When the deadlines started coming in harder at the start of this year it was ok to manage at first, but I was drowning in a sea of paperwork and I was going down quickly. Now I'm stuck. I can hardly remember the past few months. I've been trying to leave on time and forget about work when I go home but it's getting so bad that I can't stop thinking about it all. I've been getting sick every few weeks but every time I go to take sick leave a new deadline appears and I can't bring myself to take leave while there's no one to pick up the work when I'm gone.

I've just finished the most recent deadline but now I can't bring myself to go to the doctor. I've been struggling with mental health since quite a young age and I got very good at hiding it. I never wanted to get professional help for my problems because I know I can win the battle myself. But lately I can't see clearly, I can't order food, I can't answer the phone, I can't even sit still even though I can't sleep and I'm exhausted. I've thought about taking my partner to the doctor with me so I don't feel as anxious about talking about everything out loud but they work too late and no doctors are open in our city then. The thought of calling in sick makes me so dizzy that I can hardly even try to think of a plan to go to the doctor because I know I'll have to pick up the phone afterwards.

Does anyone else have anxiety about seeking medical help or calling in sick to work? How have you gotten over the hurdle?

[white knight]

Hi cat, welcome

Your post could be used in a lecture of how not to care for your own mental health, but I'm not meaning to be nasty...it is so common.

firstly charity begins at home. Helping friends out is ok but not to take a pay cut, that is too kind. Where is your friend now when you need them?

People with mental health disorders always underestimate their abilities of endurance. We find it difficult to relax, smell the roses so we extend ourselves beyond our capacities then we are in a mess.

Ok. Try seeing a doctor during lunch hour. Some are open weekends. Request a part time helper. Get another job. Use your spare time to learn relaxation techniques. Try yoga.

Use google for these

Topic: the balance of your life- beyondblue

Topic: charity begins at home- beyondblue

Care better for yourself. Prevention is better than cure.

Tony WK

[CatPxl]

My friend was made redundant from her position not long ago. I want to leave the position but I don't want to leave it in this situation for someone else to fall into and have the same pressure put upon them. I've made requests for a helper but it's only been given in day increments every few months and isn't any help at all.

Thanks for your suggestions. I've already tried relaxation techniques but I will read up on the topics suggested.