Rough weekend

@Ikea

Hi,

There is not much I can say to assist you through this difficult period you are going through.

I'm not sure what your working relationships with your boss is. As a suggestion, you could think about approaching your boss and asking if they would consider getting a mental health team in to talk about mental health in the workplace. They do this now to help educate and make going into work a bit easier on those who struggle.

I hope this is helpful.

Take good care.

@Ikea Welcome.

Im sorry work has sent your life into a roller coaster. It’s hard when your therapist is taking a break also. Was there someone else put in place while he/ she is away.?

I know you have half a day at work today. You might be getting ready at the moment.

Sending some positive vibes. Take care.

Hey @Ikea welcome to the forums. It might seem weird at first, reaching out to strangers for help, but it's been very helpful for me, I hope it will be for you too.

Returning to work after such a long break--especially since it's been a weird and crazy time--is bound to unsettle anyone. It's a disruption to routine, and once you've adjusted to a new routine again, hopefully things will settle a bit. I find any change to my routine throws me off.

I want you to know I hear you, and I feel for you. I often wrestle with feelings of worthlessness, and feel disappointed when I can't cope better--went through this yesterday actually. I too have also resorted to physically hitting myself, punching myself in the head--not something I've ever talked about before, at all, so thanks for giving me the courage to admit it. It's something I do when overwhelmed with anger and frustration, just trying to get it out. I'm not excellent at coping with emotions or feelings, it all tends to get wrapped up in anger, but I'm working on it.

Can I ask why you've found work so distressing? Is it the physical aspect, the colleagues, the customers, is there anything in particular that you really struggle with at work?

I'm now self emplyed and operate a small business, but far out I used to struggle getting through a shift at my old workplace. I remember sitting in my car outside work and needing to give myself a pep talk just to clock on--sometimes the pep talks didn't work. At the time I didn't realise how depressed I was, and the workplace was frankly full of C words. I ended up snapping and quitting my job, awkward, but after leaving I realised how bad my mental health had gotten and I wish I'd left that place a long time ago.

Where we work has a huge impact on our mental health, we spend most of our lives at work. If your workplace is having such a terrible impact on your state of mind, then is it possible to find work elsewhere? Not necessarily leaving your work, but even a department change, or making changes to your roster? But look, I'm a huge advocate of people not being trapped in jobs they hate. I was sure that I couldn't leave my job, that I'd be stuck there forever, but thanks to my shitty anger issues I managed to snap and pull the pin--probably the only time my anger has helped me as an adult--and looking back I wish someone had said I could leave. There's always other options, and it is daunting, but no job is worth sacrificing your mental health for. No job is more important.

Are you close with any of your colleagues, or is your boss ok? Is there anyone there that you're comfortable talking to? I hope the forums can help fill a gap for you until your T returns. Wishing you all the best mate