How do you know when its time to seek help for MH difficulties

[Howdoyouknowwhen]

As the title says. I'm a single mum in a high pressure work situation, on very little money, had a recent traumatic death in the family and a very hard previous couple of years (I've name changed but details are very outing)
I feel very low, no energy, tearful, not sleeping well, nightmares, would happily walk away from my career, keep falling out with my partner over minor issues (I think he is doing wrong but I am being very intolerant and maybe unreasonable on some things) things I used to get enjoyment from, feel a bit numb. However, having said that, I can function if I have to, still washing and looking after the kids and myself (except for food, I'm eating badly) and can still have a laugh. I have points in the day where I feel quite bright.
I'm not sure if I ought to be going to the doctors or if my circumstances are just shit at the moment and have been getting to me. I'm also terrified that the side effects of any medication are likely to be worse than I'm feeling now.
I know this is a forum not for medical help, but where do you draw the line and seek help?

It's never too soon. Do you have an Employee Assistance Programme at work? They can be really helpful. If not there are other avenues to try, your GP (they are far more likely to advise on counselling than antidepressants these days), your local branch of MIND, even the Samaritans could let you know your next steps. I'm not a clinician but I've got a lot of experience in mental health, both personally and at work. I really hope you get through this hard time and get the help you need. Take care

The time is now. Go and see your GP as soon as you can.

There's an awful lot of catastrophising on Mumsnet about the various side effects of anti-depressants. I'm not saying people don't experience side effects, but they are less common than some of the threads here make them appear.

The right time is now, OP - the doctor won't necessarily give you ADs right away, firstly, but if that's what they suggest, there are umpteen options for them so every chance that you'll find something that works and has no or tolerable side effects. You can also self-refer to IAPT in your area- they'll assess you and then put you on the waiting list for the type of talking therapy they think will be beneficial for you.

Seeking help before things reach crisis point doesn't mean that you should just have soldiered on: it means you've realised things are wrong early enough to - hopefully - avoid reaching that crisis point.
Your op reads as though you may be suffering from depression - so please, talk to someone, whether via IAPT or your gp

I think you should go now. It’s ok to need help with your mh even if it’s just circumstances that have brought you to that point. Agree with the pp about side effects, huge numbers of people take AD’s with either no or very tiny manageable side effects, those tend to be the people we don’t hear from though. The benefits to your quality of life usually outweigh the risks and they can improve things for you. Citalopram saw me through a very difficult time and I’d have no hesitation taking it again if I needed to. Call your gp.

The time is now, you have identified you are struggling which is great but act now.

My ex husband and father of my son ended his own life last month following a secret battle with his MH. If he had just gone too his GP.. or asked for help.

Apparently A&E will assess someone struggling with mental health if you can’t see a GP.

Medication isn’t always the first option and if it is you don’t have to take it, you can ask for a referral to Cruse for bereavement counselling first.

Keep talking and good luck xxx

I would go and have a chat with the Gp as they'll be able to assess if you need help or not t this point. Don't leave it until you are in crisis. You could get booked onto a talking theory course which could take a few weeks to access anyway, so get your name on the list now.

I resisted taking meds for a year hoping I would just get better naturally. I too was worried about side effects and feeling like a zombie. In the end I had to admit to needing help, and meds helped clear some of the "fog" rather than me feeling like a zombie.

You could be just stressed, you could be going through grief over your loss, no-one here can tell, but a chat with the GP could just help.

I think you need to see your doctor.
You know there is something wrong.

When I had my ds 7 years ago, I was never myself after. Family asked if I had pnd, which I actually believed at the time I didn’t have.
When he was 6 years old I finally thought to myself “snot, you’ve not been happy or yourself since you had your first child. Perhaps it is pnd.
Once I realised that my life changed.
I saw my doctor and broke down to her. She was lovely and understanding, and the first couple of treatments didn’t work for me, but she was patient and found a drug and dose that suited me.
I hope that you seek the help you need, and I hope your life gets easier.