Taking off of work?

I am on disiblty for my depression and anxiety issues. But before that, I worked...so I know what it's like in that aspect. For years, I pushed myself as well. But I called in often, and I did have PTO and personal time...but it didn't make it any easier. It came to a point where I started breaking down right there at work...though up to a certain point, I hid it very well. It came to a point, where I couldn't do it any more and was taken off work. 6 months later, I returned and the cycle repeated. I was fired for missing too much time, but I did talk to my boss just before...I told her flat out, that I suffer from depression and I am having a hard time coping. In turn, she said she could tell I was suffering and to do what I had to. I walked out that door and never returned. I applied for disibity and was approved the first time...which is rare.

So personally, going on my own experiences...I would talk to your boss and be up front. Some times there's no understanding, some times there is a lot such as in my case. When you call in, just say you are sick....you aren't going out to party, you aren't going out on the town or having fun. You are not feeling good, mentally or physically...they are the same thing.

But in doing this, also remember jobs will only be so patient with missing time. With my job, they had no choice....and I don't blame them at all. They gave me what the law required which was 6 months and I didn't get better in that time. Keep up the therapy and take it one day at a time. That's all any of us can do.

When I was pushing myself to work, it made it worse. I hid the depression so well most my life. that even my own family never picked up on it. I saw my mom one day and she was trying to get me to talk about the work situation, and when I said, "I just don't know what to do anymore." She said, "Some times you just have to walk away."

Though I didn't just walk away at first, in the end....that's exactly what I did. And I realize I'm considered a dead beat and a pathetic loser to society....but I think I would have killed myself if things kept going on the way they had. In saying that, no job is worth your mental or physical health...do what you need to, to get better.

Best of luck