“Hi Sam I have struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life since the age of 12 I think it was triggered from my parents splitting up. I have been on anti depressants on and off for most of my adult life. I have been taking my current ones for about 3 years but am having a really hard time with my anxiety at the moment it is starting to affect my daily life including work.
I have been off sick for the last couple of days and have been in touch with the doctors for stronger medication I have started it today but I really don’t feel I am ready to go back to work yet because of the way i am feeling I feel like I am battling with my own thoughts and am quite worried but am worried about speaking to my employer”
Thank you so much for reaching out. Firstly, you’re not alone in this. So many people have been where you are, including myself. It can feel so overwhelming and that it will never get better. It can get better and does for so many people.
Medication often takes a couple of week before seeing an effect so perhaps you’ll need more time off work until then. I wonder what the reason is you don’t want to tell work? Common reasons are we don’t want to be a burden, we don’t want people to think less of us, we are worried it could impact our job. Is there someone who could act as a liaison between you and work.
Have ever had counselling or therapy to help with the anxiety and depression. If not, perhaps consider accessing some form of therapy or counselling to help alongside the medication, either privately or through the NHS (although that will have a waiting list). It sounds like there are emotional issues you have that need processing to help with recovery.
In the meantime, there are some resources on the website that may help. Start with ‘Understanding Anxiety’ then progress to the other resources around anxiety.
Taking the first step and reaching out for help, beginning counselling, can be the hardest but will be worth it.
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