I experienced severe Postpartum anxiety and OCD. It did not start to become bad until after I had returned to work after maternity leave. I had just started a new job when my daughter was a few months old. I did my orientation over the next couple of months, and had only been off orientation a few weeks when I started having panic attacks at work. My main phobia is somehow contracting a bloodborne disease such as HIV, Hep, etc. Logically, I have been a nurse in L&D for 3 years and have been around an enormous amount of bodily fluids and was careful, and the risks really didn't bother me. I was aware but not fearful if that makes sense. Well with my OCD I would have panic attacks if I knew I had to start an IV, draw blood, even helping patients to the bathroom. It was intensified when I knew my patient "had something" such as HIV, Hep B, Hep C. My greatest fear was that I would contract something, either knowingly if something happened or not realizing it, and then giving it to my infant daughter and/or husband. I told my manager about my panic attacks and need for a leave of absence, and she was very supportive and told me to take up to six months. I have been going to a therapist, and am on meds and being followed by a leading postpartum mental health psychiatrist. But I am still no where near capable of returning to work. I still have a lot of anxiety issues to work out and it would not be fair to me, my manager, or to my patients. I spoke to my manager on Friday and told her since my six months is almost up, and that I am not able to return to work yet that I need to resign. Again, she was very supportive and told me that as soon as I am ready to come back to let her know and she'll hire me right back. She is SO wonderful and I have been very blessed. My daughter just turned 1 on Wednesday and I was hoping to be fully recovered by the time she was a year old, but I have made a lot of progress and know that soon I will be myself again.
Sorry for the novel, just realized how much I have written. Here is my question: how do I write my letter of resignation? Do I simply say "Due to my allowed time for personal leave of absence coming to an end and I am still unable to return to work, it is appropriate for me to resign at this time." I want to be clear and professional without the risk of hurting me for future jobs. Thanks for any input you can give. :)
