At 61, I don't thing I ever called in to work for Other than a 'mental health' day (not that that is what I said calling in...)---had many jobs, rarely spoken to about my time, I try to spread it out; but there are some days the dread is too much. I suspect this quite common. Don't beat yourself up if you can help it----mental health is just as important as physical health to being able to function at work.