Your everyday life

Shashi Kant Jha, psychiatrist

At work

When you go back to work, you must remember that you will not be able to pick up exactly where you left off before you were ill. It is often your own expectations that you find most difficult to live up to. Put playing "superman" behind you once and for all.

Perhaps you could talk to your superior about redistributing your duties for a while. If your colleagues know that you have been ill, they will probably show you consideration.

The higher your expectations for yourself and the expectations that you believe others have for you, the more under pressure you will feel. This type of strain can contribute to worsening your condition. So take it easy when you go back to work.

At home

Your exterior can fool even those closest to you. When you slowly begin to get back to normal, people around you will expect you to become emotionally involved to the same extent as before you were ill. These expectations can give rise to disappointment and frustration. It is therefore vital that you talk about your illness and involve your family in your treatment.

It is important for you that those closest to you can understand how you are feeling. If you take one of them to the doctor with you, he or she can ask questions and clear up any misunderstandings.