Hi everyone. My current illness due to stress, anxiety and depression started in august 2018. My workplace is a very stressful environment, working in a very busy hospital laboratory with not much room for error. A mounting up of stress led to depression and the downward spiral. I also lost both my uncle and 21 year old nephew suddenly in November and December. My nephew was like a little brother so his loss has been very traumatic.
I returned to work on phased return in february but as of last week I am off again. It means half pay for me but I could not continue as I was not coping at all. Even ok days were mentally exhausting as I was trying to "get on with it" and "put on a brave face" Last Wednesday I even got to the point of "whats the point in going on" I dont consider myself suicidal but I have had thoughts.
My problem now is what do I do going forward? I feel I cant continue with my job as it is but I get a good wage and my qualifications are specific to my job. When I return to work again I feel things wont be any different. If anything it will be worse due to the many changes happening in the lab. I wondered if anyone had experience of having to go through this? If any changes were made to your job.
Written by
NetballGhirl
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi I had this in my last job working in a call centre. The job wasn't high powered or anything but it was extremely stressful with lots of targets and very busy. I started off with stress which brought my depression back full force. I felt trapped and even suicidal as there seemed no end or solution to it. I felt like a rat going round a wheel endlessly.
I am in the UK but don't know where you are so can't really give any practical advice. x
Hi thanks for your reply. I am also in the UK, working for the NHS. I get the rat wheel thing. Its like I went back to work as phased as I could be and yet it still wasnt enough. What did you do in the end?
Well it's a bit of a double edged sword. In the UK once you report a health issue and even if you don't and they should be reasonably aware of it the following happens.
First you should be sent off to occupational health for their advice, though your employer doesn't have to go along with this as it is all subject to 'business needs'. You can be sent to OH more than once.
The NHS will have to under the Health and Safety Act at Work law make some reasonable adjustments for you. This could be taking away some of your work, giving you extra sick leave, extra breaks etc. Even giving you a different job. But like I said all this is subject to business needs.
I worked for the civil service and they are (so I have been told) just as bad as the NHS. I did get some RA but only ones which suited them and not the ones which would really have helped me. I had meetings every month or so with my manager to see how things were going. I also got a written warning as we were only allowed 7 days a year off sick without triggering one. If you for example broke your leg it was a considered a one off and you wouldn't be penalised but for mental health problems it could be recurring.
I found the whole thing very stressful and it just increased my depression as I always felt I was being watched. In the end I got a final written warning which I transgressed by just one day as I also have mild copd (lung disease) and had a severe chest infection which recurred. I was basically given the choice of resigning or going through the disciplinary procedure and I chose the latter. I then found coz I was dismissed I couldn't get another job. I did try very hard to get a job as bank admin for the NHS and passed everything until they found out I was dismissed and was told it's not their policy to employ me coz of that.
The most important thing is to get the support of your union to guide you though the maze. Good luck. x
Oh one other thing you should be able to cut your work hours if you can afford to. I went down from 5 days a week to just 4 and doing 30 hours. This did help me a lot.
Thanks for all that information. It will really help I think. I am seeing occupational health next week. Will give the union a call as well. I worry about the being dismissed part. That is very unfair that if you are dismissed for medical reasons you cant get another job with the NHS. Surely that is against the law! I am sorry you have had such a hard time as well. I have thought about reducing hours but the way I am feeling now I think that wont help as its woring in the lab thats the issue. I am glad reducing hours worked out for you. I need to see what my union says 😌
I'm sorry you are going through such hardships. Stress in a work place can lead to depression but we also must find ways to deal with the stress even if it is going to counseling or taking medication. Have thought about seeing a counselor? Have you applied to other jobs with same qualifications? As tough as it may sound we all deal with challenges and changes daily but we have to find a balance that we dont allow it to overwhelm us. We all deal with those challenges by talking to others,prescribed medication from your doctor, counseling and etc. Getting support will help tremendously. Whatever make you smile and feel good began to do those things more often.
I am on medication (for the last 5 months and have seen some improvement. I did go to counselling and have started CBT but I still struggle. Jobs are few and far between for my role unfortunately. I tell myself to be grateful I have a job. I am hoping there will be adjustments made in my workplace. I have continued to play netball 2-3 times a week throughout my illness as it is a bit of normality for me.
I just wish I was me again. I havent felt like myself for a long time. This time last year I was fit and healthy, happy in myself,confident and reassuring to others in times of stress in work. I want that back but its taking a long time to go. I feel like it is medical as I am feeling ill with SAD. Head full, feeling faint, having simple seizures and struggling to concentrate. The peer pressure doesnt help. People looking at me thinking "she is at it, why doesnt she just get on with it". I get so down at times I contemplate just leaving life for good,whats the point. But I just think it...I would never do that to my family. They have had enough hurt.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Depression and work 
Anxiety,depression and work 
work-related stress
Abusive, disorganized boss causing my work output to suffer.
Unable to work
