Need time off work, how to justify it?

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I was diagnosed under 2 months ago; although I have 'functioned', under the radar, seemingly normally; apparently I have AS.
I had 2 blissful weeks of feeling elated because it was the end of what seemed to be an endless search for "why am I so odd?", I'm now in 'limbo' and can't seem to focus on anything; I just feel detached from everything.

I work full time in an environment which should have done, (and now does), completely repel me, (sensory issues, which I've had to adapt to cope with).

I've approached someone at work about the possibility of getting some time off; he did inquire on my behalf to my supervisor and the answer was, "not possible at the moment, but if anything comes up we will let you know". It's a work environment where you basically need to have broken your neck in 3 places and had your foot amputated before you are considered to be 'unwell', as long as you have a doctor's note to prove as much!

I haven't disclosed my diagnosis to anyone appart from my family and have no intention of disclosing it to anyone at work other than my supervisor, when I leave (it's uneccessary at this point; because things could only get worse there as far as I'm concerned).
The person I spoke with, is also the person I've discussed problems I've been having with some of my colleagues; I'm severely misunderstood, but I have also encountered what I perceive to be psychological bullying (not for the first time, but it's much more extreme at this work place), although I'm not sure how seriously my concerns are being taken.
I took this job as a 'stop gap' so I could deal with financial difficulties.

I REALLY need time off to process what I've now learned about myself; but more importantly I need time far away from the constant noise at the work place and the people who consistently do their best to make me feel like I'm a 'bad egg'........and they are succeeding.
Yes I want to leave, but not until I'm financially stable to possibly cope with being unemployed for a while.

So, to end all this waffling!
How do I justify taking time off work without disclosing my diagnosis? And how would I go about it? I need at least a week or two off.
I'm a terrible liar (and even worse at telling the truth, apparently!).
I have always gone the extra mile to get into work if situations prove difficult in the past and my supervisor knows this; also when I was really physically ill (even with shingles), so they are aware that I'm a 'fighter' and that I don't like letting people down.

I'm not ashamed of AS, but I doubt very much whether my disclosure would be taken seriously given what I've experienced there and I just don't have any 'fight' in me right now........and it's starting to show with mistakes I'm making.

Thanks for any response

okay I hope you don't get TOO upset with me but,

Why do you NEED to take time off since you have diagnosed with this. About the only thing you can do is ask for time off, which you did. Since you can't have that there is not much you can do then. That (any) workplace is probably full of people that want time off to deal whatever personal problems they have.

Informing your supervisor about your diagnosis will not matter. Realistically, a manger wouldn't say "oh, you were just diagnosed here is some days off". Really it is not a matter of whether they understand AS or not, employers just want you to show up and work. Yes, it sucks but that is the way the world works.

What you can do is talk to your manager about any bullying or other unacceptable behavior that is happening. This sounds crazy but you might want to ask your manager if YOU are doing a good job. The purpose of that would be to see how others view you. It may or may not be fair at least you will know what you are dealing with. This also helps with communication issues. In the past I've often asked what other co-workers think of me.

If this workplace really sucks than you might want to look for another job, while you have a job, that way you can give notice and quit so you "do it properly" and are not terminated.
There is one thing worse than having a lousy job, and that is being unemployed.

Hopefully I've been helpful

Thanks for your comments jackbus01, I was half expecting criticism really as my post was very self absorbed (feeling v. low at the time!), So, I'm not upset by what you've said and understand where you're coming from.

I don't want to go on, but thought I should add something, to try to clear up my self indulgent post!
I guess I'm feeling like I'm about to have a 'breakdown' (again), all the patterns are emerging and although the diagnosis isn't the reason I want time off; it is adding to the stress that's been building up for months (the straw that broke the camel's back scenario), and more or less that's ALL work/colleague related. I really don't want to get to that point again; so time off now would stem the possibility of it happening. I don't have enough free time now to 're-charge' from the daily grind and mental exhaustion that I get from being there.

I strongly believe that the 'hassle' I'm getting from colleagues is solely down to them misundertanding me (which happens often, but this time the reaction is much more extreme); I have done nothing to provoke the kind of reactions I've been getting; but because of my diagnosis it's obvious to me that they are reacting to something I do, (unintentionally). Since they don't know that I have AS, I'm reluctant to go to my manager to make a formal complaint (it's not really their fault they've got me so wrong; although the things they've said and done is solely their fault, responsibility and lack of tolerance). Plus, I'm sympathetic, (however horrid they've been to me, or actually I've seen to others also), to the fragility of employment at the moment. I wouldn't want to be part of a reason anyone had a black mark on their employment record or add to any grievances that might cause them to loose their job; (I'm not vindictive).

I would leave tomorrow, but I'm petrified of unemployment, (I've been there before and agree that being employed, whatever it is, doesn't compare to the lows of being unemployed). Although I do search for alternative work, my confidence is at such a level right now that I never get to the stage of actually applying for any.

Anyway, not sure what I was expecting from anyone here really, perhaps a good kick back into reality!
I suppose I needed to 'expell' some frustrations, and I'm sorry if I've wasted 'forum space'.

I'll leave it at that, and go and have a breakdown!

If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly where you're coming from. Unfortunately, I don't have any solutions either. You've already done everything I would be comfortable doing. While I have called in sick before when it really was more of a "mental health day", I didn't consider that to be lying since I really didn't feel well. It's just that it wasn't due to a bug. But that was 1 day; a couple weeks is a totally different thing.

Also, I guess, sometimes time away just makes it even harder when you have to go back. I know that isn't much comfort when you're feeling on the edge and overwhelmed.

Very true Zen; it's unfortunate that we feel (anyone, anywhere) we have to 'convince' people that were not in the right frame of mind to be working; only because 'mental' unrest doesn't display physical and visually obvious symptoms like when you're coughing your guts up with the flu!
Thanks for your comments.

Maybe the solution is to go to work with a massive bandage around my head, just to make the point that my head REALLY hurts and is in need of support to keep it together!
.......and maybe that's not such a great idea!

I'd say first of all don't risk your job... its damn hard as it is to get one to begin with nowadays.

If you need time off can you try to switch days with colleagues so you could have at least one very long weekend (4 or 5 day weekend) so its almost a week's worth of reflection time....

or you can ask anyone in your extended family to see if their kids have chickenpox or some other disease you can catch and get a medical excuse for to be away from work for a week

Now THAT is a genius idea!

The swapping days could work actually, although there are very few people there I feel I could approach (particularly with what's going on); I might look into that, thanks Dantac.

I'm going to look if I have any mouldy food in the fridge now.......bon appetit!