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Mental health

Worth seeing the doc?

6 replies

teenyweenytadpole · 12/04/2011 22:28

Struggling with lots at the moment. DH out of work and our finances are very tight, so much so that we may have to move house. My Dad who lives overseas is very ill in hospital and we are waiting to find out what is wrong. Been having some relationship probs with DH who suffers from depression and he has been seeing a counsellor for alcohol issues - have posted about this on other threads. I have a busy and sometimes stressful job and am also the primary carer for the DC's. I am generally a positive person but at the moment am feeling a bit numb, physically nauseous and having difficulties sleeping - sort of jittery, but not actually depressed. Feel like it would not take much to push me over the edge at the moment. Is it worth seeing the doc? Not sure I want any medication but feel like I need something. Counselling maybe? No money to pay for it privately. Any tips re. how I should approach this?

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AutumnWitch · 12/04/2011 22:42

Yes do - it sounds like you're coping with a huge amount, but only just. You say you're having difficulty in sleeping, even if that isn't in itself a symptom of depression it's going to wear down your resilience.

Let your GP assess you and you may get access to extra support if they feel you need it.

I hope things improve for you soon.

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freebreeze · 12/04/2011 22:45

This is such a hard time for you. It;s no wonder you're jittery - normal I'd say under your circumstances. Not sure I am all that experienced to offer any medical advise. Have you got someone you can off load to and help you through this difficult time? Other than that, if there any way you can get away from it all for an hour or so each week can just lift your spirits. Obviously this would have to be cheap but just doing something simple that gives you a bit of an escape - a walk, coffee shop, run, visit to libray etc.
I don't really know if you need to see a doctor to be honest, as like I say I'm no expert. But lack of sleep and feeling vulnerable are surely normal under all the stress and strain you're under. Perhaps if the poor sleep continues you could go for that?
Bless you. I really hope your situation improves soon. Be kind to yourself. It's not easy for you x

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teenyweenytadpole · 06/06/2011 22:03

Update from me - finally seeing the doc on Wednesday! My Dad died at the beginning of May so it's been a horrible few weeks, huge shock for us all. I have needed to give loads of support to my Mum and so feel as if my other isssues have been pushed to one side but of course they are still there really. Feeling very low, can't sleep, finding it hard to go to work but at least work keeps me busy (and I can't afford not to). Am planning to ask for some counselling to get my head round everything, don't think I want bereavement counselling as such but some help in trying to see through this big mess I find myself in. Some major life issues to sort such as where to live, what we do with Mum etc. Have no sex drive, no interest in anything, am snappy with the children, occasionally tearful, mainly just feeling very flat, no joy in life. Massively comfort eating so also fat, which I know doesn't help but I can't seem to find the motivation to stop eating crap and start exercising. GP has offered me Prozac before (PMS related), am wondering if it would be worth considering but just worried about side effects. Am also going to ask to have my Implanon taken out as not sure that is helping, but not sure what to have as an alternative. Anyway, will keep you posted....

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Selks · 06/06/2011 22:14

Sounds like you're on overload. It's not surprising your feeling as you are with that amount on your plate.
Short of removing some of those things, which may not be feasable, I'd recommend making regular time for relaxation and self-nurturing....if you don't you could end up more stressed and unwell. I'd say take up meditation, swimming, yoga, country walks etc as well as the counselling. Relaxing exercise and mediation is proven to help with stress. It uses up the cortisol and adrenaline that stress produces that produces all the horrid feelings.

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teenyweenytadpole · 07/06/2011 16:06

Thanks Selks - funnily enough I am planning to go for a swim tonight, hoping it will help me sleep. Can't find any yoga classes near me that I can make, and can't afford the gym but I suppose walks are free. Intellectually I know those things help, but it's summoning up the energy to do them that is difficult.

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teenyweenytadpole · 08/06/2011 16:01

Update from me - saw the doc today, got very emotional, but she has prescribed me 20mg Prozac. I'm happy to give it a go but a big nervous about possible side effects. Have also potentially got some counselling lined up but unfortunately due to work commitments won't be able to go for another three weeks. Still, it's a start. I've also found out that there is a daytime al anon in a city about 40 mins drive from me which is on a day when I don't normally work so I am planning on going in the next week or two. DH is drinking pretty heavily again, and a house we really wanted fell through, so it's not been the best week. Onward and upward.