Struggling

[Helpmepleaseeeeeee]

Hi
Not sure what i am trying to achieve with this post but i feel like i am going crazy and need to write it somewhere. i feel like i am just struggling with everything - nothing in particular that is bad in my life so no reason for me to feel this way but i feel like i am drowning. i have lots of people around me but i feel desperately lonely because i don't know how to tell anyone how much i am struggling. Has anyone felt like this before and was there anything you could recommend that helped?

The trouble with depression is that your brain doesn't work properly - so you saying "there is nothing bad in my life" isn't necessarily true. I would advise being honest with your GP and taking their advice.

Feeling down doesn't have to be for a specific reason. A low mood can be depression but you can have a look at your overall wellbeing such as diet and exercise and stress and if everything is healthy there then as already suggested speak to your GP.

Thank you, I just feel like a fraud really I have a good life, I eat well, exercise regularly etc I just feel completely overwhelmed with everything like I can’t cope with the simplest thing and feel like I have no control over anything at all. I really don’t know what I would say to a GP , I don’t know where to start, I’ve never considered myself to have depression or anything I just genuinely feel like I am drowning and don’t know how to get back to normal.

I understand you. I felt like that last summer. How old are you? For me it was pre-menopause. I didn't know it could have such an effect on my mental health. I tried to keep going, was OK in public but not internally or at home. I wish I had taken some time off to look after myself. If I'd had a physical illness I would take time off. Mental health becomes physical health too. Can you take some time off? Do you think you can tell some of the people around you how you feel? Please go to your GP, just tell them what you wrote here. Be very kind to yourself.

Are you able to take a short break? If you still feel the same whilst away and don't feel better when you get back ask your GP for a blood test to rule out thyroid or iron defiency.

Tell them what you've said here that you can't pinpoint an underlying cause but your mood is very low and you feel overwhelmed.

Thank you both for replying I feel ridiculous really- I am 28. I actually have a holiday in a few weeks so maybe I should see how I feel after then and then go to the GP if I don’t feel any better. While I have been feeling low I find it impossible to actually do anything at work anyway I find I have no concentration and to be honest no desire to do anything. I know that sounds ridiculous and makes me sound careless about work etc but I’m really not, I have always loved my job I just feel like in and out of work I just can’t be bothered to ‘do’ anything. I will see how I feel after a holiday then.

You are not being silly or ridiculous.

Low mood and or depression means that you would still feel down even if you won the lottery or your celebrity crush snogged you!

It can strike anyone at any time.

Look at the many famous people who appear to have it all but struggle with depression. It's nothing to feel ashamed about, your mind is another part of you that can be hurt or unwell just the same as an arm or leg.

Sorry you’re feeling low. You don’t sound ridiculous. I agree with the other posters, you should see your GP and just say what you’ve said here. You may be low in some vitamin or mineral, or it may be depression.

Spring is also the time of year that is bad for depression and low feelings.

It is not about being grateful for what you have, it isn’t about should or could - make an appointment at your GP.

Be good to yourself

Ok I will call my GP tomorrow. I will maybe try and talk to my husband but I think I will see how I get on at the gp first. Thank you all for your help x

Good idea to go to GP, and talk to your husband. I didn't want to burden my dh with my stuff because he's so busy etc. But of course he noticed I wasn't myself, and was puzzled. Once I told him he could support me, and I felt a bit of the burden lift. It's also good idea to get bloods done to see if you have a vit or iron deficiency. Thinking of you!

no concentration and to be honest no desire to do anything

Both signs of depression. It might not be depression, but it could be. It might be worth you finding the NHS depression self-assessment check-list on-line and filling it out before you go to the GP. It would be a good starting point for an honest chat.

Thank you - i actually have an appointment with my GP tomorrow afternoon so i hope that going and talking to him will make me feel a little better.

Thank you for all of the advice on here - i didn't really get anywhere with the GP and tbh he managed to make me feel worse but was worth a go. I am going to make an effort to be more positive and see how i feel in a a few weeks after holiday

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with the GP. Sadly so many GPs don't "get" mental health problems. He could have at least offered to check for under-active thyroid / vitamin D deficiency / anaemia. Can you try a different GP at your surgery?

Sorry I sound like I am totally moaning. It he said it’s just one of those things, people often feel down and usually feel better with a bit of time which might be right tbh I don’t know.

He did say if I still felt the same in a month to come back and he could do some blood tests and didn’t specify what for but he did say to check for deficiencies x