I reached my limit the other day and couldn't bring myself to stop crying about the idea of going to the office. I took two sick days because (for the first time in my life) I felt too anxious and overwhelmed to keep going.
I work in a small, unforgiving industry, and opening up about mental health struggles will only hurt my professional reputation. When I go back to the office, though, I'll be asked by my bosses and colleagues about what kept me from working. What could I plausibly give as an excuse?