I'm a teacher too and I agree with red panda. In a depressive state it is really difficult to function but I try to keep my strength for my students. Thankfully I work in a special Ed school and have aides that can help me when I am down. I take frequent bathroom breaks when down and when up just to chill out. I also force myself to do the mundane paperwork like lesson plans. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. If I took off while depressed I would just ruminate on the negative and definitely end up hospitalIzed.

That being said I had to quit my summer job this year because of depression. The summer job is a camp counselor and I just couldn't fight through the heat nor could I gather the energy needed to walk around camp. It's the first time in six years I haven't worked there and it kills me. The only reason I did was because I had to be hospitalized and now I am in a partial care program to keep me busy. I am scared to step down to IOP because I will have two days off a week to fill and I am not sure how to do that. So I understand not being able to work as well. I just hope I am better by the fall.

I hope you feel better soon.