To ask if this is depression?

[pinklite]

I'm really struggling at the minute and have never ever felt like this before so just want to vent on here and hope somebody else has experienced similar.

A few weeks ago I had a pretty bad car accident. My partner and both my kids were in the car (DS1 5, DS2 3 months). Since then I just haven't felt "right". I keep replaying what happened over and over in my head, I've barely been sleeping, I've been irritable and had very low mood. It feels like I've just lost interest in what I used to enjoy and I have no motivation for basic tasks. I feel teary and on edge most of the time.

But worst of all it's the constant worry that something bad is going to happen to my family. I'm absolutely petrified every single day since the accident that harm will come to them and that it's out of my control. I keep thinking of ridiculous scenarios and it's consuming my life. I'm so scared of anything happening to my kids.

Will this pass? I don't think the way I'm feeling is normal at all. The accident has affected me way more than I thought it would but I don't know if I should give it some time before I speak to somebody

I'm thinking it may be PTSD but don't want to diagnose myself.

You've had an extremely frightening experience so it's not uncommon to react as you have done. I felt something similar after my DH died in traumatic circumstances.

I'm not a doctor but the fact that's taking over your life is quite another matter.

There are lots of depression quizzes on the internet you could use before going to your GP.

Good luck.

These might help:

https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/for-adults/anxiety-disorders/ptsd/ptsd-test

@echt I'm sorry to hear about your husband, that must've been very difficult for you

Yes, the way I am feeling is affecting my daily life. I keep waking up and thinking it's going to get better but it just isn't yet.

I should say none of the online quizzes are for diagnostic purposes and give results based on statistical analysis.

Would GP realistically do anything about PTSD?

Therapist here op, I'd defo be looking into ptsd. Trauma focused cbt or emdr will help. All available on the nhs good luck

I think it must be reasonably common, thinking paramedics, firefighters, police, military who see some horrible things, so there must be interventions.

https://www.ptsduk.org/

I'm sorry you went through that OP. I'd recommend going to a GP or arranging your own counselling. You need to speak to someone, maybe not long term, as you need to get all those feelings out in the open. It could turn into something even bigger if not managed

Well done for taking first steps to understand those feelings. Best wishes

Also op ptsd won't heal itself so the best thing to do is get into a waiting list for nhs therapy as soon as you can ideally. It won't get better in time as it's caused by the memory of the crash being unprocessed by your brain, your brain just can't process it properly as it's too traumatic. Treatment is very effective if you gibe it a fair go

Thanks all for the advice x