1) You already feel bad because of being sick, your body and mind are predisposed to feeling bad 2) internalized cultural emphasis on being productive to justify our existence - if we can't work, it "reflects poorly on us" (and fear of shitty bosses firing us) Glad to know I'm not the only one.

I feel that all the time. "Feeling of letting people down" is how I take it. and this is coming from someone who doesnt call out much at all.