What's the longest time you've been off work due to mental illness?

My longest has been three years.

Currently, I'm off work again. I took a stress leave, and succumbed to major depression, fatigue, and anxiety not long after. Personally, I think this recent episode has hit me quite hard. I'm not sure I'll be able to return to work any time soon.

I just want to curl up in a ball and close my eyes, go to sleep, make the anxiety go away.

I can't be at work right now. I'm a bloody mess. I'm waiting for Long Term Disability payments to kick in, and if I don't have to work for the rest of my life, I'd be darn well fine with it. I just can't handle being around people right now, the stress of a teaching job, and coping with its demands.

I feel ashamed that I want to leave this career behind, but it's what I'm feeling right now. I can't handle any more.

Thanks for reading.