@SirSamuelVimes & @LivinLaVidaLoki
Completely agree with you about your thoughts on depression/CBT /medication & the situation being the problem, not the wiring or chemistry in your brain.
That was my experience of depression some years back, & was perhaps why CBT & medication didn't work for me? (I'm not knocking either approach entirely because some people find they help. But not for everyone). I remember going to a sympathetic GP & he listened to my list of problems & said, "No wonder you're depressed."
I often feel that life now is very similar to when I was depressed- it's an effort to do things, it's lonely, etc etc. I don't think I'm actually depressed (stressed & anxious, yes) but more bored, unfulfilled, trapped. Exercise, being outdoors, finding things to do, etc, well, it goes so far, but it isn't quite enough.
What helped me get out of depression was time away from the situations that were making me unwell, & being allowed to go where I wanted, with who I wanted, on the days I'd got energy to do it.
Love to all mums who don't feel good enough right now. You are good enough, & then some. In an ideal world we wouldn't get irritated by our children. But in an ideal world our children would be perfectly behaved at all times. And that in itself would be a bit weird.