Typical response of the self employed with a chip on their shoulder. I am a public sector worker and haven't been off sick in over 10 year. Yes there are those who play the system but the vast majority actually have a conscience and come into work on a regular basis

 

I work in the public sector, not had a day sick in the last 5 years.
Had one days compassionate leave when my 3 month daughter was in hospital with suspected meningitis.

 

Do appreciate all the comments. I know it's all a bit freestyle and random but please keep them coming if you've got anything to add.

 

I would just ask though, who on here views common illnesses, or maybe even mental illnesses, as a case of mind over matter? Anybody massively unsympathetic?

 

I reckon I was for many years until I got older.

 

I used to think that about anxiety/panic attacks - just grow up, what's wrong with these people getting so panicy!

...until I experienced it myself. I wouldn't really call an attack, but more a prolonged unwell feeling, for several months (shortness of breath, chest pains) and changed my behaviour for the worse. Despite ecg, echo, blockers, all doing nothing, it wasn't until I went to a GP (third/forth visit) and he explained the things I was experiencing were psychosematic, and by the time I left his office I'd already felt better and never looked back - For some reason his words resonated with me that other doctors' hadn't, nor had all-clear diagnoses from tests. Weird what the brain does to you!

Perhaps if I didn't have that experience I would still be unsympathetic.

 

Depression is also very difficult for many people to accept.

 

I think that's because the term is bounced about so loosely

 

what can happen, to my wife and I, is that when we take a holiday an illness (cough, sore throat etc) will developed in the first day or so

it is as if you have let your guard down - and wham!!


and actually my brother has married a women who has given up on life at the ripe old age of 43, has been bed ridden for the last 2 years

what is wrong with her - who knows, as they have not seen a doctor

if they had children I would report them to the social services -- thankfully they are too selfish to have kids

they are right in a Channel 4 documentary Zone

(and my brother is in the top 20, and has been No 1 in the UK in his chosen profession - so he is not stupid -- well he is a massive **** but that is another story)

 

Surprise, surprise, the angst-ridden public sector employee pops his head over the parapet. I don't imagine any of the others who have a mick-taking rota for absenteeism that allows them to play the system are likely to come on here and own up to it are they. The ones that go off sick on full pay at exactly the right time of year so they can take the full allowance before returning briefly until the system resets and then being too ill to continue. Marvellous thing depression and stress, isn't it? Funny how some manage with no problems whereas others just can't cope. Why the big discrepancy?

Good for you, you are but one amongst many.
Otherwise as above.

I don't think of it as mind over matter (although the link is there when the willing is there too) as most of those who seem to be 'unwell' on a regular basis have in my experience been those who seem disinclined to pull their weight when they are there anyway.

 

I believe that sometimes illness can be put down to the state of mind of the person experiencing it. Not that difficult to convince yourself that you are suffering from some disease or other if you tend to think along those lines. Not easy to get that person to be convinced that he is not ill really either.

By the same token, I have also known people who although they have got something wrong with them but who are not prepared to accept it and insist in carrying on with life as normal. Mrs Leslie has been guilty of that in the past!

The mind can be very strong if people really want it to be.

Les

 

I often have to tell people I can't find anything wrong with them when they have presented symptoms that don't fit any recognisable pattern and the examination and investigations are normal. The judgement is how deep to look, and some patients are really upset when you tell them you can't find anything wrong with them and present more symptoms. In some people this pattern goes on for decades no matter how hard we try to break it, they seem to be able to come up with symptoms that can't just be dismissed. Then it is easy to be criticised for missing something. Some patients come to see me regularly and I'm not sure why. They don't appreciate their patterns of behaviour being challenged, but I am certain that some of them consume more in medical resources than they will contribute in taxes in a lifetime yet don't appear to have anything significant wrong with them for years.