A few years ago I ended up getting hospitalized and then I had to go to a partial hospital program and I ended up missing over a month of work. I was beyond nervous and anxious about returning to work. I was worried about what people would say, getting asked countless questions and I was also worried about the reasons and theories that people came up with for my absence. I ended up causing myself more stress and worry by over thinking things and preparing for the worst.

When I returned to work it actually went pretty smoothly- except for only one coworker that must have found out somehow that I was out due to mental health reasons because she said, "If you are bipolar, then you need to figure out if you want to kill your sad self or your happy self." I don't know why but it pissed me off.

Other than that co-worker, everything went well. Not many people asked why I was out and as for the ones that did ask questions, I simply stated that I was in the hospital due to being sick. And I technically didn't lie because I really was sick.. mental illness can be considered a form of sickness.

So I pretty much worried for nothing. I suggest using coping skills/techniques (such as deep breathing, using anti-stress/anti-anxiety apps- such as the What's Up app or using a journal app to type and get out bad feelings.) while you are at work. Especially for a week or two after returning from a hospitalization.

I hope returning to work goes smoothly for you! Try not to worry too much because, being bipolar, our minds always make things out to be worse than they really are.