Husband quitting work due to health anxiety? Good idea or bad?
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@Maggie that’s what I suggested, but he’s called in sick way many tines. So he may be taken to HR
I suffer with anxiety and low mood, and I’ve just been off work for 2 months. It’s done me the world of good, and I’ve had time to focus on myself for once. My doctor has signed me off for the period of time as he could tell I was at burnout. My work (NHS) have been incredibly supportive, and yes HR are involved due to my sickness levels but I’m not at risk of losing my job.
@Emily oh really? What did you tell the GP to write on the sick note? We were thinking of writing health anxiety, but is that giving too much information to the manager? He also works in the NHS. But unfortunately his workplace isn’t very supportive. What did you do to improve yourself if you don’t mind me asking? I was thinking it may make it worse as he won’t have a schedule/routine. And how does it stop you from losing job if HR is involved ? X
He shouldn’t quit his job without another job, a plan to get another job or a plan to work on his issues so he can get back to work.
If he just quits and doesn’t fix the issue then he will never get anywhere.
Is he a coal miner or something?
I wouldn’t advise he just leaves his job, has he thought about money, future plan etc? He can get help with this anxiety whilst working, I stuffed really bad anxiety and got help through my work and the drs! but I think sometimes not working you can fall into a deep hole of not doing anything, making you more sad/ anxious then it’s really hard to get back into the motivation to help yourself. Has he got a plan of how he’s going to get help/ make himself feel better. Unfortunately I’ve had family members go into a cycle of quitting their job getting benefits and then being more depressed and have no friends and money etc making it worse :( xx
They wrote anxiety and low mood. I’ve been on antidepressants since March, and they know that I’ve been struggling on and off, and I spoke to the mental health counsellor who agreed that I was at burn out. Just spending time on myself, eating better, working out, reflecting on my anxiety and low mood and what I can do to improve myself. It’s been tough, but I’ve also signed up to talking therapies through work. I’ve still been in a routine - get up, sort the kids out for school, and when I’m at home I make sure I do things, so I’ve been deep cleaning the house, and sorting out toys/clothes (all those jobs that don’t get done normally). Also going for long walks with my partner and dog. HR are trying to support, so they’ve recommend an occupational health referral, and talking therapies (which I had already done myself). I’ll have regular check in’s with my team lead when I return back at work to make sure I’m ok, and coping.
Quitting to focus on health will not help his health if the problem he has is an irrational panic over his health. Does he have health issues that require him to quit or is it because he’s just anxious about his health? If the problem is being anxious about health without an underlying health issue then the anxiety will only get worse if he has nothing else to do all day but worry about his health. Is his job affecting his health?
I want to do this.but I worry too much about money.
Anxiety is a very real thing and he should prioritise his health but at the same as are you in a financial opposition to have him not working? And for how much. I agree with above, maybe get a gp note so he can be off work even 2-3months?
Being off sick with HR involvement is surely better than just leaving, if he's honest and faces it head on he'll be supporting you all too so he's paid. Maybe he could get some talking therapies through GP, I'd give him that nudge and it may actually be what he needs. Maybe some CBT to help his health anxiety...
@Christina yeah this is what I am saying, also financially will be in a bad position. But his siblings are like it’s Up to him.
@Emily I also Signed him up for talking therapies. I hope it helps, as when I was going through low mood unfortunately it didn’t help much. I didn’t know HR was about supporting! Thank you. So they won’t penalise him for calling in sick if he gets a sick note most likely? X
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@Victoria~ the previous problem was about his physical Health. But there was other implementation in place, like giving him Longer time to do tasks. But this main one is mainly his anxiety. He does say that it affects him physically. He’s complaining of chest pain/ numbness, tingling on the left side of his body. @Emily did you have any of these symptoms? X
@Tiffany yeah the ER doctor also advised CBT and signed him for talking therapies but heard it takes long :( I didn’t know HR is helpful, just thought they are their to remove us 😅
They shouldn’t do. He can sign himself off for 5 days, and then get a sick note from the GP. But if he’s going to do that, he needs to make the effort to get himself better. Also, my symptoms were different. I was exhausted, no matter how much sleep I got in the night, it wasn’t enough, headaches, agitated, no motivation to do anything apart from sleep, but everyone is affected differently by anxiety x
Can't he go off sick for few weeks? Get a doctors notes? (am assuming you live in UK/England). I mean I'd imagine quitting work altogether and not knowing whether he'll ever go back put strain on you and kids.