Depression?

Question

I was diagnosed with severe depression yesterday.
I am really worried about going into work.
I am a Head Chef, and my job itself is really stressful,to the point on Saturday night, I broke down in tears in the middle of a busy service with a panic attack.
I can't face going in, and the thought is making me feel sick.
I am also worried about telling them that I can't come in for a bit.
I didn't ask my doctor for a sick note (maybe I should) as I thought they couldn't give you one for the first weeks sickness.
I'm getting myself into a right state about this.
Has anyone else had this problem before??
Should I ask my doctor for a sick note, and what if he refuses to give me one???

My doctor did prescribe anti depressants but nothing else except to come back in 3 weeks.

Answer 1

Get the sick note. At least ask for it. Because you want to. I am not getting all that good a read on your doctor. Are you really okay with him/her? Do you sometimes feel like you've been "processed" after a typical visit, or are the two of you on the same wavelength? You should be able to talk this completely through with your doctor. For starters. You are obviously very intelligent and sensitive and concerned about your own well being. All of this is positive. But something needs to change, here. The question is, what needs changing? I believe you're fine and the circumstances around you are what need changing. I am feeling any of us would also probably react like you did under the same circumstances. How about a less stressful job? It is perfectly okay to be upset, because you will eventually reach the end of that cycle and move on to either numbing out completely or finding something just plain more interesting to be thinking about. I am thinking job change. It was kind of you to share your situation with us here on Yahoo! Answers because the composite you will read through our answers to you may truly help you find something which will help you move through and beyond this to something much, much better for you. Self-care is job one. It is the thing you keep coming back to. Had you noticed? You get off-track now and then, but you ultimately get back to taking good care of yourself, even including posting this question here this evening. Why am I feeling you need a different doctor? You are not the same person any longer who started out with the doctor you currently have. Please consider this. It is sometimes called getting a second opinion.

Answer 2

A you can see from your answers, your problem is not uncommon. I have sufffered with depression for some years now and the only way to overcome it, is by learning how to differentiate between what is worth worrying about, and what is not. There are several ways to do this, self help, write a list of what, when, and where makes you feel most vulnerable, then you should be able to find some connection as to why these affect you. Then write why these affect you, don't think too long about it, just write whatever comes into your head. Read it after, and you will see that some of the things seem really silly. You are then half way to letting these worries go. Secondly try speaking to a counsellor. Sometimes it is much easier to talk to someone that you don't know, than someone you do. Forget the pills. I tried them. Didn't worry about anything while I was taking them, no bills, no work, more depression, Catch 22. Good luck. ps take some time off, If you are worried about, your employers seeing you are suffering from depression, get the Dr to use the term "Nervous exhaustion"

Answer 3

Regarding the sick note:

For the first three days of an illness your employer does not legally require any sick notes
For days 4, 5, 6 and 7 you can give your employers a ‘Self Certificate’ sick note. This is a form you complete and does not require a doctor's opinion
For any illness over 7 days long you will need a doctors note.

However doctors are not obliged to give you a sick note. If yours is being particularly unhelpful, I'd change doctors.

I know how hard depression can be (and panic attacks), but you have to remember that going back into work will not kill you. This is what I tell myself when I get panicky. Because no-one ever died from a panic attack. Yes it will be hard, but think about how you'll feel at the end of that first day back. Anyone would find it hard, not just you!
Best of luck

Answer 4

I would definitely ask for a sick note. I think you can sign yourself off for the first 3 days and then you need a sick note if you are off for longer. If you are a head chef then I think you can with clear conscience tell them you are feeling nauseous and they shouldn't expect you to work with food in this instance! Give yourself a couple of days on the medication (presume the doctor has prescribed some?) and see if you feel a bit better. You might then feel well enough to go back to work. If not then come clean and tell them the real reason and give them your sick note. In the meantime - stop worrying about their reaction, it will only make you feel more ill and the likelihood is that they will be supportive if you need more time off when they know why. If your doctor has diagnosed severe depression there is no reason why he shouldn't give you a sick note if you ask for one. If there is any problem, see another doctor.

Answer 5

I have had three serious episodes of depression.If your GP has diagnosed severe depression then I am appalled that the doctor has not written up a sick note for at least a month and referred you to a specialist for therapy. When suffering from depression, work is impossible; it's hard enough just getting out of bed.Think in terms of 3-4 months before you start to be able to function properly again, your illness has probably been building up for some considerable time and will likewise take time to start improving.Most GPs are not expert in treating depression although the prescribe medication to treat it; you really do need to see a consultant psychiatrist for a consultation so that he can set up a proper course of treatment and follow up checks.If all this seems to daunting to contemplate, try to get the help of a very close friend or trusted relative and get some moral support when seeing your doctor.

Answer 6

For the first 7 days of sickness you can self-certify, i.e. you don't need a doctor's certificate. However any more than 7 days you will need to see your doctor again and obtain a sick note. If you were diagnosed with severe depression by a doctor I'm surprised that he or she has not suggested that you take some time away from work if it is indeed work that has caused the depression in the first place. I would suggest that you find a counsellor (presuming that your doctor's practice don't have one) to enable you to talk through the causes to enable you to find your way back on track. Anti-depressants are possibly not the answer to solve issues, rather only to mask them. If you are depressed enough to break down at work, you surely shouldn't be going in for a few days at least.

Answer 7

I've been where you are and time off while the anti depressants start to work will help. You do need to continue going out and about though.

For those that say anti depressants are a crutch or give a fake high. PLEASE get your facts straight. Depression has a physical cause behind it also. Your brain isn't producing enough of certain chemicals which gives you the depressant/anxiety feeling.

The catering industry is one of the most stressful going.

Phone your Dr and I'm sure he will give you a couple of weeks sick note.

Another good combat for depressive illnesses is exercise. Try and take nice long walks in the fresh air. You will feel better for it.

I wouldn't read too many books or the net about depression. There are so many different opinions and you will just worry youself more.

Just remember your not alone and approx 25% of the population will have a form of mental illness at some point in their lives.
Good luck and hope you get better soon.

Answer 8

Hello there

I do not know how many people are at your place of work anyhow it is kinda of irrelevant in a way. The only reason I mentioned it is because it is a fact that 1 in 4 of us will suffer from depression or mental illness sometime or other, so chances are that the person standing next to you at work suffers from the same thing. What I am saying is try not to heap this guilt on your shoulders, take care of yourself first and foremost. It is important that you get better.

I would phone up your doctor and ask for sick note, he will hardly refuse you. And I sure when you explain to your boss that you have been signed off for how every long is necessary you will find that he/she will be understanding and will only hope that you soon be restored to good health whatever the problem is.

If it helps you can also request that your boss does not bandy about the with the rest of the staff what actually is wrong with you. He ought to respect your confidentiality as an employee.

Give the tablets time to kick in about 14 to 21 days before they will begin to take effect and meantime get plenty of rest and do something to keep your mind occupied like reading (though not recipe books mind).

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You can do it. Nettie Uk lass

Answer 9

Yes, go to the dr and get a sick note so you can get a couple of days off. Even 48 hrs of getting away from the source of stress will do a lot. Your body is telling you the truth--you *can't* cope with this right now. If you don't listen you'll crash. He doesn't have to write "depression" if you're afraid people will start acting like you're a head case...just that you need some time off to deal with a health problem.
Antidepressants are good for damage control but don't depend on them exclusively. Try to talk to a counsellor so you can deal with the root cause. You may need to make some positive changes or simply learn techniques to help you handle your stressful job. Pills treat the symptoms, not the problem. They're good for extreme situations but not so much as a lifestyle.

Answer 10

I can sympathise with you - I suffered panic attacks a few years ago so know how horrible they are - I've also worked in catering and understand how stressful the job can be. I've suffered mild depression on and off for several years and have also taken various different antidepressants - they do work you just have to find the right one for you. You will eventual feel better - you need to try and find things to do that make you happy - whether that is socialising or chilling out reading a book, or whatever. Maybe the route to your problem is your job - maybe you should think about looking for a new one or ask your boss for a different position at the company you work for. At the moment my life is going pretty well so I am perfectly happy - that's why I can tell you things can get better, you just have to take a step back and look at the things in your life that may need to change. Good luck - I really feel for you and people in your situation xx

Answer 11

The only way that you can possibly do to help you function at work is to try and keep your mind busy on the job at hand. Try not to let it wander into thoughts other than work (even don't let it think on how you feel about work!) Just do your duties and you'll survive at the seen, while your out of work keep productive. Keep journals (if no one is there to read them!) and find a way to express your feelings, not feel them. This has always worked for me. The people that said NOT TO TAKE pills are right they do give you a false feeling, and eventually you'll never be able to feel all the other real feelings like love or enjoyment of the little things. Also anti-depressants massively clash with anxiety disorders read the side effects sometime, it states that is will possible cause aggression, anxiety, etc. . . pills are not the answer doesn't matter what the doctor says will help, they get a check from the pharmaceutical companies for even prescribing them to you. He's making money off of something that you can learn to control. don't be a puppet, be the puppeteer!