Leave of Absence for Mental Health (first time)

[DorkiousPrime]

I never would figure that I'd take time away from work for mental health. I have understood and had to time off for physical issues, ones which confine me to bed and have very easy to identifiable impact but a mental malaise ? A crippling fog and pressure without a physical form? I never ever would thought that.

I have previously shut myself away, literally, when I was about 16? 17? Living within my room for years but those days are long behind me but now I'm not so sure.

My pressure have changed, my commitments too so taking time away from work, something which I always used as an escape, is difficult and how do people deal with imposter syndrome in these situations? Is that a normal thing? Maybe I'm not unwell, maybe I'm weak ? Faking? Lazy? As I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, maybe it is my diet?

I honestly do not know where this will lead, it feels like I'm letting everyone down, every silent response or snappy reaction I give feels like I'm failing myself and my family.

But, it is because of them I stopped 'pushing through' and decided to step back and seek help.

Something was bound to give and it was slowly my health and then I'm sure work would not bat an eyelid as I'm discarded.

Anyone been in a similar situation and come out of it?