Dear J:

First I would like to suggest to you that you … expand your guilt to include you snapping at your boyfriend. Better contain the distress and not mistreat others, specifically here, a person who just happened to be there.

Second, here is a thought: the word “mental” indicates to most people not physical. Thing is, mental is physical, it involves physical chemicals produced and released in the brain and in the rest of the body that lead to those distressing emotions and the exhaustion you’ve been experiencing. Mental can be so physical that it is not uncommonly fatal, as a person is more likely to drive unsafely when distressed and exhausted.

In my last job of many years I was paid only for days I worked, so sickness pay was not an option for me. Of course, I am familiar with the concept of mental health days. It is definitely better to take a mental health day than it is to get killed. Or injured in an accident because of inattentiveness. Better every time.

Better yet, of course, is to find a long term solution, another job, that is.

anita