I’m severely depressed and don’t know what to do

[Mumm11111]

I’ve just finished 12 weeks of CBT. I’m really trying to get better but I’m severely depressed. I work part time and keep busy but come evening time I’m exhausted and just sleep. House is a mess, my kids are fed and watered but anything else is very lacking such as no social contact with friends, no days out on weekend. Kids are aged 7 and 4.

Usually there is a root cause to depression. Can you think of one? If you can, then pursuing psychological therapy and medication is your next step and the 12 week CBT is to help those with mild depression.

It could be burnout- given your exhaustion and describing yourself as either busy or sleeping with no time to live:
https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/

Could be an underlying physical cause of your exhaustion too, have you had blood tests to see if any nutrient deficiencies? Post viral fatigue markers?

Sorry to hear this. Are you under the care of your GP?

I'm doing cbt course but it's not working.

Massive hugs.
I’ve been there. I sought help from a local mental health charity, where I was able to go on short courses to help myself (through Zoom) is there something like this in your area?

are you on any medication?

Do you actually have depression or just Shit Life Syndrome? My doctor wanted me to take antidepressants and I said no because it doesn’t make your life any less shit, it just numbs you so you no longer care that your life is shit.

My friend benefitted a lot from ECT therapy. Hope you're able to get better!

Keep going back to your consultant & care co ordinator. CBT on its own is not adequate for depression which has been diagnosed as severe.
How long have you been managing since your last admission. Do you need to go back into hospital? Some of the treatment for severe depression needs initiating by inpatient teams eg ECT or rTMS.
I have a form of bipolar & have several episodes of depression including 2 that were classed as severe. Inpatient treatment was only option for me.

I’m not sure what ECT is, I will do some research later thank you.

you you everyone for your responses

I’m sorry, feeling like that is awful and scary. Have you always felt like this or has something specifically triggered it?

ECT is electroconvulsive therapy. Fairly controversial but actually a good evidence base for severe depression and probably life saving for me.

But what you need to do is go back to your GP / CPN depending on who has been managing your depression so far and discuss your options. There are a multitude of treatments for depression and no one here can possibly say what’s most appropriate for you to try next - but don’t lose hope, there will be treatment / support that can help you.

I hope things improve soon.

Sorry you are feeling so bad. I have worked with hundreds of people with depression and the vast majority have got better.

You need to go back to your doctor and push for changes in treatment and more support. Get someone to go with you if you find it difficult to do this. If you don't have anyone to do this approach Patient Advice and Liason and ask for an advocate.

ECT is electro convulsive therapy. Is when electricity is passed through the brain when the patient is anethatised. Its pretty drastic and you are probably not at a stage where you need it.

It's a treatment of last resort for depression, which is severe and enduring, and has not responded to usual forms of treatment.

Yeah I thought this when they tried to put me on antidepressants for grief, like what's the point I'm depressed because of my life what's a pill going to do if it's not diazepam I don't want it cuz it won't make me care any less or feel less sad 😭😂

Thank you so much everyone. It’s a mixture of having an abusive childhood and now a shitty life where I’m really lonely as I’m can’t connect with people. I have a nasty husband too but leaving would make life worse. I was depressed before I met him so it’s not him. It’s just my past he’s actually easier than my own family to deal with.

Sorry you're in such a low place OP. Counselling can be incredibly helpful for trauma & it sounds like there are valid reasons for feeling depressed. I would seek a trauma informed therapist if that's an option. Hope you can get the help you deserve. 💐

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Nearly deleted this before posting for fear of encouraging irresponsible behaviour.

Possibly a bit out there as a suggestion but there are some very promising studies around using LSD (yes the very illegal drug) in very controlled environments to treat depression. It might be worth seeing if there are trials being run near you?