[qwertykeyboard]

I'm going to talk to my advisor tomorrow about taking a medical leave of absence and I'm really anxious about it.

Any advice?

[DesigningWoman]

My only advice is to take a deep couple of breaths and remind yourself that your academic advisor is there to assist you with school. They are not there to judge or hurt you. They are there to help you become educated and trained.
I would caution oversharing. Certainly make this person aware of your situation, but they are not in the mental health field. They are not trained to deal with anything besides academics. You might want to stay focused on what specifically you need to get through school-wise ex. time off for your mental health lasting (blank) amount of time. What forms need to be filed? When and where?
Also, remember in the USA you are protected legally as diagnosed mental illness qualifies you for reasonable accommodations under American W Disabilities Act. I know because I have done this exact same thing only i had to call my Department Chairman for grad school at home at night. Not fun. i was so nervous. I couldn't take my final comprehensive exam for the degree because of severe depression and anxiety.
But i did the above. I took some breaths, explained the situation without too many of the gory details, assured her I could produce documentation from Psych dr and therapist. Then, I told her what i specifically needed, which was to remain in school, but sit for the exam the following semester.
She agreed, said not to worry, told me what to submit and where, and told me to feel better.
I took the exam the next semester and completed my Masters degree. One of the best academic decisions I ever made was to make that call.
You are taking care of yourself. You are making the right call too.

[Miswimmy1]

The above poster is exactly right - the advisor is there to help you through school. They want what's best for your and they will understand that taking care of your health comes before anything else.

Is your advisor strictly an academic advisor or is he/she from some sort of disability office or student services office? I ask this because while a strictly academic advisor will be concerned primarily with documentation and what a leave of absence will look like in terms of academic progress, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have no knowledge of mental illness. For instance, at my university, while yes academic registration is done through the university registrar and academic advising office, I work closely with a disabilities specialist in the student services center. She has laid out the process for me (as a formality) what options are available for me should I feel the need to take a reduced course load or take a medical leave of absence. If that came to be, I would meet with her to file the necessary paperwork and she would sign off on it. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with the registrar and dean directly - I could worry about my health and my treatment and not all of the little details. So she has the authority to deal with academic course work and whatnot but she isn't exactly an advisor.

[mazing]

Sounds like awesome advice

Just came in to say good luck - I hope it all went well for you!