[Rosepetal99]

Hey, everyone—I’m enrolled in an intensive outpatient program but I haven’t been there in a week. I’m currently weaning off an antidepressant and it’s been a nightmare for me, and then I came down with a sore throat. It’s been almost a week since I’ve left my house and after isolating myself for so long, I feel nervous about going “back out into the world” tomorrow and back to my program. Do any of you have this experience and how do you deal with it? I feel guilty for all of the responsibilities I pushed to the wayside over the past week because I think I’m coming across as flaky and disappointing people.

[Raindropvampire]

Welcome to Psych Central

I know when I've been self isolating the best way to get back out there is just jump in. If I stop and think about it then I talk myself out of it.

[Train of Thought]

Hello Rosepetal,
It's great you're feeling better again and want to go back.
Oh the guilt... it's holding me back more often than not, too.
When this happens I try to distance myself from these thoughts that try to make me feel bad for taking a break. My reasons for taking a break are valid even though my depression wants me to feel different. But if any other person took a break for the same reasons it would be okay so it's also okay for me. Maybe this helps you, too. You had a valid reason to take time to recover.
And the people at the program know you had.