Hi everyone!
Ashley, you said you wanted positive stories about telling your boss. I had a great response from my boss.
One of my major troubles was getting up, showered and dressed in the morning, and I was often late or at work in the nick of time so-to-speak. I was also getting quieter and quieter as the weeks went on, and my work started to slip a little. None of these were so much that I was doing a 'bad' job, but that I was no longer doing a good job.
I ended up telling my boss when I realised that I was very close to not having my contract renewed (and the whole crying at work thing - red, puffy eyes are a bit of a give away).
She was very supportive, even though she doesn't entirely understand what it is like. And by telling her, not only did it explain my falling attendance and productivity but I was also made aware of mechanisms in the workplace that I could take advantage of and help me get through this. If I had not told her, I would probably no longer have a job, and I would have been unaware of all the support that was in place to help employees if they needed it.
I also found that my two bosses helped keep an eye on me, to make sure I was okay. Simple stuff, such as reminding me that I *have* to take a break (and to eat something) every 5 hours, that I really should be out of the office before 7pm, even if my work isn't done etc.
I'm young and have only just entered the workplace and the amount of support I have received and the knowledge that if I *need* to take time off I can has made me reconsider career options and I have, in the short term decided to stay in my current industry due to the support mechanisms in place.
I never realised that this would be something that would influence my career choices, but if you are in a situation where you are not receiving support, remember there are workplaces out there that *do* provide support and maybe consider a change if your workplace is affecting you negatively or having an impact on your health and recovery.