Feel like I'm unravelling - please help!

[mocca]

I know there are people out there who feel like me - please help! I'm a single mum of a 7 year old D, working full-time, husband left at the beginning of the year and I'm probably peri-menopausal as well! (just turned 50). Have suffered from anxiety for a while and been drinking too much to self-medicate. The break-up has hit me hard and am going through a particularly bad phase because my ex has a new girlfriend who lives round the corner - she's 34 and much younger than him and my self-esteem has taken a huge knock (never had much anyway).

I've kept it all together and everyone thinks I'm really strong. But I feel like I'm unravelling fast and need to give myself a break. Working full-time is becoming impossible for me - I just sit here and stare at the PC and keep rushing to the loo to cry. I'm going to get into trouble soon because I'm going to muck up big-time (actually I just have and I want to run away, very mature of me). I just want to be at home, looking after my little house and my D, who I love with every bone in my body and not have to worry about money. My ex has never worked and I've always had to support us all and I've just had enough. I've an appointment with the GP later this week (a follow-up, as I've seen her before about my difficulties) and am thinking of asking to be signed off work. I feel irresponsible because things would be very tough without my salary but I wonder if my sanity is more important (my parents would help if we were really strapped). There's also the resentment that my ex has never contributed financially because he has no declared income. I feel trapped and weak and a bad person because right now I'm fighting the urge to open a bottle of wine and almost certain I'll give in....

[EffiePerine]

Not sure I can offer any sensible advice but didn;t want your post to go unanswered. You're having a v tough time atm and you need a bit of space - why not see if you can ge signed off for a specific period? If you made it a particular period and took the time to think about what you really want to do it wouldn't be time wasted. Is there any way you could work from home? Or go into a different line of work? Or cut down your hours?

Your ex sounds like a prime tosser btw.

[LilianGish]

Don't open the wine! Think of the plus points - you've got a lovely little girl, you've got a job, your parents are supportive, your ex sounds like a waste of space - at least you are not be working to support him anymore. Could be worse - if he was the bread winner and you were now having to find a job. Can't give you any advice - think EPs suggestion is a good one. Bumping for you in the hope someone more useful sees your thread.

[EffiePerine]

bumping for the evening crowd