next »

[marigolds]

I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with all this!

I don't know if this is a BAD idea or a good one, but if you do decide to stay out of work, could you set up or join a writing group or something as one of the social-support endeavors?  That might alleviate some of the stress you feel over not working *at all* while on leave.

I did see that you said above that maybe you needed to completely not think about work at all, so this may not work.  But it work's going to be nagging nagging nagging at you and causing constant anxiety, it may be better to do a little rather than try to ignore it?

I really hope you start feeling better soon. 

[britmom]

OP here - I thought I'd provide a quick update. I saw someone in Occupational Health this week. They were very helpful and supportive. They're going to send a report to HR outlining the situation. They're going to warn them that I may not be back at work for the start of the semester and suggesting that I should be given a phased return once I am ready to get back.

Thankfully, it seems that the situation has stabilised and I'm on my second consecutive day of feeling reasonably 'normal'. I've been out of the house to buy some new clothes (always cheers me up!). I've also signed up for a mindfulness course at the local Buddhist centre (not sure what else to call it). I think I will be well enough to be back at work next month, although I'm hoping that some arrangement regarding my work load and/or a phased return can be put in to place.

Many thanks for the support from you all; it really did help when I was in a very dark place.

[zarathustra]

That sounds great, Britmom. Thanks for the update!

[scotia]

Great to hear that things are improving and that there seems to be support in place. Whilst I often complain about the lack of support from so-called 'support services' in universities (HR is currently in my sights), I have been impressed by Occupational Health at all the universities where I have worked, either in relation to my own illness at former U, or in dealing with friends/staff whose cases I am aware of.

[britmom]

Great to hear that things are improving and that there seems to be support in place. Whilst I often complain about the lack of support from so-called 'support services' in universities (HR is currently in my sights), I have been impressed by Occupational Health at all the universities where I have worked, either in relation to my own illness at former U, or in dealing with friends/staff whose cases I am aware of.

My experience is very similar. HR is full of vindictive sh!ts, in my view. However, Oc Health really do seem to be most interested in the individual, rather than protecting the institution. They've offered me regular support from the University's own psychiatric nurse, which will be particularly useful as the nurse provided by the NHS is currently off sick.

[britmom]

I'm bored so I thought I'd add one final update...I'm planning on being back at work from Monday (assuming my GP agrees). I bounced straight back to feeling well once I'd reverted to the original levels of medication. (I'm astounded by how just a small change in dosage can affect how I feel.) At least I can be sure that the medication makes a massive difference to how I feel. So long as it's at the right levels, I remain well.

I'm panicking a bit about being back at work, but at least I've got a couple of weeks to get used to it before I start teaching again.

[middayreader]

britmom-And how has it been going for you?

[britmom]

Thanks for asking after me, middayreader. I had a little wobble when I first went to work, but everything's going well now. I'm about to be discharged by the Acute Response Team that I've been under for the last 6 weeks. Thankfully, the one course that I was panicking about (that was a new prep) has been pulled; that's really lightened the load. All in all, I think I'm back on track.