Very anxious

[anxiousInAtlanta]

I’m having terrible anxiety related to my job. Not sleeping well, can’t stop rehashing issues in my mind, having physical symptoms- knot in stomach, high blood pressure. Has anyone ever used FMLA for stress related issues?

[deborah27]

what is fmla?

[jkl5500 in reply to deborah27]

The Family Medical Leave Act gives a worker protection for up to 12 weeks of time off from work for medical reasons.

[jkl5500]

I have used FMLA for anxiety and depression in the past. (I'm retired now.) Do you have any specific questions?

[anxiousInAtlanta in reply to jkl5500]

Did you have to explain at work what was going on with you? How did you tell concerned co-workers/friends why you were out?

[jkl5500 in reply to anxiousInAtlanta]

I know that you want to keep this as confidential as possible. I told my good friends at work what was going on. Surprisingly, others didn't seem to care, which was fine with me.

There are probably several people where you work that are already on antidepressants, and you don't even know it. This illness is very widespread - I mean millions of people.

I know you're worried about being ostracized - people crossing the street when they see you coming, everybody stops talking when you enter a room, that sort of thing. But like I said, anxiety and depression are almost epidemic in this country. Almost everyone has a family member or friend who suffers from it. There is no need for shame. You didn't do anything wrong. You have an illness, and you're taking time off to get it treated. That's really all there is to it.

Any friends that are worth having will understand, and try to help. As for the others, well, who cares? Now you know that they aren't worth knowing anyhow.

[anxiousInAtlanta]

My primary care doctor gave me rx for Cymbalta and Xanax for anxiety.