Returning to work

[jaded jean]

Hi all.
This is my issue.
I am still in the early days of citalopram-day37 but I am l have seen my doctor and he said in the next couple of weeks we could look at the talking about the phased return. I have no problem with this.
I want to go back to work believe me , I go through scenarios where everything goes smoothly when I start back, but in reality I am scared as hell . I dont know if its the 'first step' part from my house to the workplace but I cant control my fears of messing everything up having a panic attack or just bursting into tears due to the enormity of the situation. What I think I need is supervision when I start back. so scared.
Jean

[jonny582]

Hi,


I have been back at work for 2 months now, i like you thought the enormity of the situation would overwhelm me, however 2 months in i am doing ok. It wasnt as hard as i thought it would be. Dont get me wrong its not easy, but its never as bad as you think. Some days i feel bad, like today, but i just get on with it. Its not ideal and some days i am exhausted and want to scream but compared to 7 months ago when i was pretty much restricted to my bedroom its a walk in the park.

I hope this helps, i cant relate to citalopram as i chose to recover drug free

[jaded jean]

HI .
JONNY582
Thats exactly it I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to peform at work as we think what is expected of us.Well done for not taking the drug route, I have been on anti depressants for coming up10 1/2 years so it could end up being a lifetime thing I dont know . But when the time comes to start back I know for a fact that I will not put put myself under any pressure.
Jean

[jonny582]

Yes i think alot of my problems stemmed for work and putting too much pressure on myself. I am now trying to not put so much pressure on myself.

I did try antidepressents, but i got scared by the mood swings it gave me.

[MB]

Hi Jaded Jean

Not sure if this might help, but having been off work for three months I arranged to meet with some work colleagues for lunch the week before my phased return to work. Although I was pretty panicky at the time, it actually helped prepare me for physically being back at work. I have very supportive colleagues, and hope this might be the case for you too.

MB

[jaded jean]

Hello MB.
I do meet 1 or 2 colleagues occasionally for lunch or they come to my house. We talk about work etc but things seem to be changing alot. The area I work in -Retirement Housing I cannot visit my scheme due to insurance purposes. I cannot fraternise with any of my clients socially.Its crazy I get told I will be kept in the loop of any meetings and I will be sent the minutes. but get nothing-nada. And this was suggested in January- I have been off 7 months now. I often wonder if I should take up cleaning. Good honest job.
Jean

[h_t]

Hi Jean

I am in exactly the same place as you at the moment, although I haven't been off work for so long. I have been off for about 2-3 weeks (its all a blur at the moment) and have the rest of this week off. My proposed back to work date is 1st June. Its such a horrible feeling knowing that you need to get back to normal but feeling terrified to at the same time. Like MB, I have been told that going in and meeting people for lunch is a good idea, so I will try to do that this week, although even that feels scary at the moment.

I hope you manage to be strong and get through it

x

[Loraine]

Hi Jean, I was due to go back to work on june 7th, but an hour before i was supposed to leave i became very hot and sweaty and panicky and i just couldnt cope with it and i became very tearful as well, i was going to try again today but I had no sleep last night and felt very tearfull again this morning and couldn't do it. I have a doctors appointment thursday. I feel so angry with myself as i want to get back to normality, I have been off work for 8 weeks so far, fed up with myself.

[jaded jean]

Loraine.
Dont worry hun you are still anxious, maybe not ready even now. It is that leap of faith that makes us shudder doesnt it. I am feeling exactly the same as you , pacing around like a caged animal sometimes as the waiting drives you mad. I am still waitinf for my doctor to give the go ahead with my reteurn to work and its been a case of backwards and forwards over and over again. Now I have got a reason for not being ready both m parents ahave been diagnosed with cancer. so Not 100% at the mo.

[Loraine]

Jean, omg i am so sorry to hear that, you must feel awful and hears me going on about unimportant things, I cant begin to imagine how you feel. take care xxx