How does Dcider protect my privacy?

Your decisions are stored securely in our database with encryption. We never sell your data or share it with third parties. The AI analysis happens on secure servers and isn't used to train AI models. You can delete your account and all data at any time from the app settings.

How much does Dcider cost?

Dcider offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. After that, it's $4.99/month or $44.99/year (25% off). The free trial doesn't require a credit card to start.

How is this different from a pros and cons list?

Traditional pros/cons lists treat all factors equally and rely on your in-the-moment thinking. Dcider weighs options against your pre-defined personal values, providing an objective alignment score. The AI also surfaces considerations you might miss and tracks patterns across all your decisions over time.

Does the AI make decisions for me?

No. Dcider provides analysis and alignment scores, but you always make the final choice. Think of it as a thinking partner that helps you see how options align with what you've said matters to you. The goal is clarity, not automation.

Can I use Dcider offline?

You can view your decision history and values offline. However, AI-powered analysis requires an internet connection since it's processed on secure cloud servers.

What kind of decisions is Dcider best for?

Dcider works great for career choices, financial decisions, relationship questions, health and lifestyle changes, and any decision where you want to align your choice with your personal values. It's especially helpful when you're overthinking or facing analysis paralysis.

How do I set up my values?

When you first open the app, you'll go through a quick onboarding where you select values that matter to you (like health, family, growth, financial security) and rate their importance. You can always adjust these later in Settings.

Is Dcider available on Android?

Currently, Dcider is iOS-only. We're focused on making the iOS experience great first. Android support may come in the future based on demand.

HealthUpdated Jan 2026

Should I Take Mental Health Leave? A Values-Based Decision Framework

Work has pushed you to a breaking point, and you're considering taking time off for your mental health. But you worry about the stigma, career impact, and whether you're really 'sick enough' to justify leave. You're trying to determine if this is necessary self-care or avoidance.

Key Takeaway

This decision is fundamentally about Mental Health vs. Career Impact. Your choice will also impact your recovery potential.

The Core Values at Stake

This decision touches on several fundamental values that may be in tension with each other:

Mental Health

Your psychological wellbeing and its priority relative to work. Consider whether continuing without intervention is sustainable.

Career Impact

How leave might affect your professional standing. Evaluate both the risks of taking leave and the risks of not taking it.

Recovery Potential

Whether time off would actually help you recover. Consider what you'd do during leave to address the underlying issues.

Financial Security

Your ability to afford time off. Research disability benefits, legal protections (such as FMLA in the U.S.), and your employer's leave policies.

Stigma Concerns

Your worry about how others will perceive you. Recognize that your health matters more than others' opinions.

5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Before making this decision, work through these questions honestly:

1Is my mental health impacting my ability to function at work and in life?
2Have I tried other interventions (therapy, medication, boundaries) without sufficient improvement?
3What would I do during leave to actually address the underlying issues?
4Is this about genuine recovery need or avoiding problems at work?
5What are the realistic career implications, and can I accept them?

Key Considerations

As you weigh this decision, keep these important factors in mind:

Your current level of functioning and distress

Whether work is the cause or just a factor

Your employer's policies and legal protections (FMLA in the U.S., or equivalent in your country)

Disability benefits and financial coverage

Your plan for using leave productively (treatment, rest, evaluation)

The career implications in your specific workplace

Alternative interventions you might try first or during

Watch Out For: Productivity Guilt

We've internalized that our worth equals our productivity, making rest feel like failure. Taking leave for mental health triggers guilt even when it's medically appropriate. But burning out completely serves no one. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop producing and recover.

Make This Decision With Clarity

Don't just guess. Use Dcider to calculate your alignment score and make decisions that truly reflect your values.

Download on the App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mental health a valid reason for leave?

Absolutely. Mental health conditions are legitimate medical issues. Many qualify for legal protection (such as FMLA in the U.S.) or short-term disability. You're not being weak or dramatic by taking mental health seriously. If a doctor supports your need for leave, that's as valid as any physical condition.

Will taking mental health leave hurt my career?

It might, depending on your workplace culture and industry. However, continuing to deteriorate also hurts your career through declining performance, burnout, or eventual breakdown. Laws like FMLA (U.S.) may provide job protection. Consider the risks of leave versus the risks of continuing without intervention.

How do I request mental health leave?

Start with your doctor or therapist to document your condition. Contact HR about leave policies and eligibility (FMLA in the U.S., or equivalent protections elsewhere). In many cases, you don't need to disclose your specific diagnosis—'medical leave' is often sufficient. Have a doctor's note supporting your need for leave. Know your rights in your jurisdiction.

What should I do during mental health leave?

Have a plan: intensive therapy, medication adjustment, rest and recovery, evaluation of whether to return to the same job. Don't just wait for time to pass. Use the leave to address underlying issues. Consider whether your job is the problem or a symptom of something else.

Related Decisions

Should I Start Therapy?

You've been thinking about therapy but can't decide if you really need it. Maybe things aren't bad enough. Maybe you should be able to handle this yourself. The stigma, cost, and vulnerability of opening up to a stranger all create resistance, even as you sense it might help.

Should I Quit My Job?

The thought of quitting your job often comes with a mix of excitement and dread. You might feel trapped between the security of your current position and the pull of something better, leaving you paralyzed by uncertainty about whether leaving is brave or reckless.

Should I Leave a Toxic Job?

You dread going to work. Maybe it's a bullying boss, a culture of fear, or colleagues who undermine you. But you question whether you're being dramatic, worry about looking like a job-hopper, and fear not finding something better. The toxicity has you doubting your own judgment.

People Also Considered

Similar decisions in other areas of life:

Quit Without Another Offer Leave a Toxic Job Quit My Job

Sources

Joyce, S., et al. (2016). Workplace interventions for common mental disorders: A systematic meta-review. Psychological Medicine.doi:10.1017/S003329171500240X
Harvey, S. B., et al. (2014). Mental health and the workplace: A review. Occupational Medicine.doi:10.1093/occmed/kqu032

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