I'm about to go back to work after time off for depression but I'm not sure I want the same job.

I have been off work with depression for several months and I'm going back soon. The problem is, I hate the job and want to leave but I'm worried I'll find it difficult to get a new job with a poor attendance record. Should I go back to my current job and stick it out for a few months to show prospective employers I gave it another go? And if I do start looking for another job should I mention my time off and the reasons behind it in an interview?

It's normal to feel anxious about going back to work after you've been off for several months, particularly if you weren't happy with your job in the first place.

Depression is a valid reason to be off work and whether you go back to work or not is your decision, but it is important to check with your local doctor (GP) who can advise you about whether you are to return to work.One in four people suffer from depression at some point in their lives. The good news is depression is a treatable condition and your local doctor (GP) will be able to offer you some kind of help or will probably have offered you help already as you have taken time off work. Some people find that getting back into work can help them to recover, but it is important you're aware of your mental health and how your work might affect it.

Do you feel your current job contributed to your depression? Or was your depression triggered by something other than work? If it was connected to your current work, it's really important to think through how it may affect you in the future. If you hate your current job and if you feel it may have been a factor in the onset of your depression, it might be advisable to explore other career options. Think about what you might enjoy and feel comfortable doing in the future. You might find it useful to speak to a careers advisor at the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900 (opens in a new window) , to explore other career options.

If you do decide to go for another job, the employer may ask about your attendance record. If you are asked specifically at interview why you've had time off, or how your mental health has been, you are legally obliged to tell them. If you lie, you can be dismissed at a later date on the grounds that you deliberately withheld information from the employer. There's more information about what you should tell your employer about your health in this article on the BBC.

If you are not asked specifically about your mental health at interview or on an application form, you do not have to tell them about it. Many people suffer from depression and have time off work, so employers should be sympathetic to this. If you are specifically asked in your interview, you can tell the story of your depression and your recovery in a positive way. This is worth bearing in mind because employers can value employees who have had positive experiences of recovering from depression and this could be an asset to you.

You don't mention whether you have actually spoken to anyone else about how you are feeling. It can be hard to talk to people about our emotions, but talking about how you feel in general and how you feel about your job might be beneficial for you. If you don't feel that you can talk things over with someone from your family or a trusted friend, another option would be to see a counsellor. They would be able to help you explore your feelings about what you might like to do in the future and perhaps work out some other ways of coping.

Ultimately, only you can decide whether to go back to your current role or look for a new job, but there are options. For instance you could return to work whilst looking for another job, work part-time or take some time out to think about what you really want. If you go back to your job, it may show future employers that you show commitment. Your health is the most important issue here, so make sure you are doing the right thing for you.

It's great that you have taken this positive step by asking for advice, so remember there is no need for you to go through this alone, there are lots of the organisations that can help. Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people affected by depression, to find out about local support groups in your area contact 0845 123 2320. Mind have an extensive factsheet about understanding depression or you can contact the helpline on 0845 766 0163. They also provide information about mental health in the workplace and how employers can support employees.