Mental breakdown

[Monkey]

My poor husband is having a mental breakdown due to work related stress. He's in a state - It's pretty bad. Can Seldoc sign off for stress? I am worried about not getting an appointment with GP on Monday. I would call Seldoc but he's finally fallen asleep so i dare not move.

[bluesuperted]

How awful, so sorry. Call Seldoc as soon as you wake up in the morning (or if he wakes up and needs to be seen earlier in the night) and get the first appointment of the day - I've done this with my children when they are poorly and have needed to be checked but have been peacefully sleeping at this time of night. Hope he gets help very soon, sounds terrible and if in doubt there is always A&E, don't struggle on your own.

[Monkey]

Thank you so much. Here's to a quiet night.

[Mrs TP]

How sad for you both. If Monday is to be his first day off work then you can phone in sick for him. You don't need a sick form from the first day. Not sure but it is something like after 5 / 7 days. Make an appt for the GP within the week and if necessary they will back date an official certificate but certainly do speak to Seldoc in the meantime to get immediate help.

[Mustard]

Yes, pretty sure you can self-certificate for a week, unless it has changed. This was the case when I worked in an office.

[Convex]

Yes, you definitely can. It's actually something like 8 days to include amy weekend days in the middle of the absence. But if the absence is starting tomorrow then that would be day 1.

[snowboarder]

Monkey how are things today?

[bluesuperted]

Was just coming on to ask the same, hope things are a little better today.

[Monkey]

Hi guys,

Much, much better, thank you all for being so caring. He's still stressed but he's not paralysed by it any more. He refused to see the doc this morning, preferring to rest. Dd and I gave him space and he seems to now be looking at his workload and dealing with it.

We will see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you again!

[Mustard]

Convex Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, you definitely can. It's actually something

> like 8 days to include amy weekend days in the

> middle of the absence. But if the absence is

> starting tomorrow then that would be day 1.

Yes, I looked it up. 7 days to include weekends can be self certificated. They are now called Fit notes, not sick notes. So in theory he could take 7 days off, starting tomorrow, and go back the following Monday without having to see a doctor.

[Monkey]

Thank you for the advice on sick notes too, which I did not mention above. That's really helpful. I am hoping that he'll cope at work but if not, of course he can self certify. For some reasons, I thought stress might not fall within the scope.

I am going to book him an appointment tomorrow with our usual GP, who's excellent, for him to have a proper assessment and be all looked after, my little hubby.

Thanks all.

[midivydale]

Hi Monkey,

Glad to hear things seem better today. Just a note to say that if your husband is self certifying he does not need to say what that reason is. Also does his firm have an employee assistance programme?

I have looked into alot of resources for stress recently and would be happy to share some of the info I have found, please pm me if so.

On the same note, make sure you look after yourself too, healthy eating, vitamin D from the sun and early nights.

Sending a cyberhug

[Belle]

Really sorry to hear this, it's very hard to watch someone you love go through this. I would add to the excellent advice above 1) you can certainly push for an urgent appointment with your GP in those circumstances, i.e. don't feel you have to wait for a routine appt to come up, which may take a while. 2) It's great things seem brighter, and they often do the morning after, but I think you're right to still seek an appointment, because these things come in waves. It's worth tackling straight away.

[hpsaucey]

HI there Monkey.

I"m a Union Health and Safety rep so get a lot of stress cases at work. If your husband is in a Union then they will be another avenue of resources/ advice as well.

I also have some links to some excellent resources - many of them actually via the MIND website on dealing with stress at work, ALso to help others look out for and identify the possible signs.

PM me if you need links, and please, whilst helping your husband, find the time to take care of yourself as well (easier said than done I know)!

HP

[hellosailor]

Hi Monkey,

How is he today? Hope he got to see your usual GP, sending hugs xx

[Monkey]

Hi all,

Thank you again for everything, all the support and the advice. Now much, much better. I think it was one big, impressive and scary stress/panic attack. We're still seeing the doc later on this week as this could happen again. And yes totally looking after myself too. Got a morning nanny. Lots of ready meals. Etc....

Thanks again!

[Pickle]

So pleased to hear this, and in awe of the cool headed way you have dealt with the situation. Here's hoping you all get a chance to relax and unwind over the festive season x