Please help me, need advice on ADs. Just burst into tears in the school hall.

[CJCregg]

Hi, I don't want to make this long but basically:

• Single mum of 7 and 5 year old DCs. Their dad is around and supportive, hasn't done a runner or anything.
• Been out of work/doing shitty part-time jobs for the past three years.
• Have bugger all money.
• Have a lovely DP who doesn't live with me.
• Feel tired, low, lethargic, unmotivated and have zero self-esteem all the time.

Picked up DD this afternoon and she was so sweet and I felt so useless and helpless. I started crying in the school hall, then at the football pitch when picking up DS. I feel like shit all the time, a friend said FFS get some ADs.

I don't know what to go for, how much, how long for, etc.

The threads on this subject seem so supportive, it's making me want to cry again ...

Can anyone advise me? Haven't namechanged although I thought about it. Feeling desperate and scared and feeble.

If you are crying at inappropriate times and places then I really thing you should see your GP.

They may or may not precribe ADs depending on your needs. ADs are not all bad anyway but they sometimes take time to find the right one for you.

*prescribe

bless you.

sounds like ads may help...i was like this, very much at the end of my tether, tearful, anxious etc...i took prozac which worked wonders for me.

it may be that something else will help you...sometimes its enough to acknowledge that you are feeling unwell, that you need a break, that you must put your needs first for a while... can you give yourself a break? arrange a weekend without kids and spend it pampering yourself...trip out with a girlfriend? weekend of lazing at home in bed, you know...just doing something to be kind to yourself....

sending you hugs hope you feel better soon. x

Thank you both for replying.

Chimchar, how long did you take them for?

I do get breaks, DCs are with their dad every other weekend, but they don't stop me thinking I'm shit.

Sorry to be brief, am in the middle of teatime.

i took prozac for about 8 months. tbh, i took it for anxiety more than anything....it was controlling me. i started feeling better within about 3 or 4 days. i took ads befopre...years ago for depression and they didn't help at all....in fact, induced panic attacks which were horrific.

you should see your gp....its no sign of weakness to ask for help. its really hard to do, but life is for living and you only get help if you ask for it.

you sound very low....the wording you used in your op makes you sound really lovely....you speak highly of yourkids and their dad....

maybe its your job situation which is dragging you down? can you do something positive to change that...even if it means retraining, or volunteering for something you like...it will give you more strings to your bow, raise your self esteem, and give you some contacts which may result in falling into a new job....

maybe you cant...just tell me to bugger off!

Chimchar, you are really sweet and kind. It's weird how much comfort can be got from an unknown face on the internet, even though I have friends I could talk to. I hate the idea of becoming someone who always moans on - that's how it feels, that I'm always miserable and feeling sorry for myself.

OK, I'll book an appointment tomorrow. I'm quite nervous about side-effects etc, but just want something to stop me feeling so hopeless all the time.

The job thing is a problem - I've thought about retraining but can't think of anything I'd really like to do. Problem is, I had the 'perfect' job and got made redundant - in this climate there are no jobs around at the moment in that field and every application I make or interview I have leads to nothing, so I feel like a constant failure. And that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don't know what to do about it, but I definitely need some confidence and maybe chemicals are the way ...

Thanks, chimchar, you are a love.

All the best for gp apt. Gps are used to seeing people who are struggling like this so hope you can be open and honest. Citalopram and fluoxetine (prozac) are ADs often used and can be helpful, if needed.

Sorry you lost your job, it is a hard time. Are there other jobs in the same sort of line around or using the same skills but in a different area? You are not a constant faiure, the economy and job climate is failing you.

All the best.

Thanks, Keziah.

Is there much difference between citalopram and fluoxetine? Would I be better going for one over the other?

Fell asleep in my clothes tonight - I keep doing this. Not looking after myself, eating crap and staying up too late. GOT to sort it out

Thanks, all who have replied. I am touched and grateful.

... and I have made an appointment to see the doctor this morning .

Thanks, everyone.

good girl.

let us know how it goes.

Got some citalopram. Got to go back in 2 weeks and then after another 4 weeks to see how it's going. I did the depression test and am 'average to severely' depressed.

So now I can join in all the ADs threads

Day One ...

well done. sorry that its been diagnosed as depression, but great that you can start to get better.

never seen anyone so chuffed to be able to join in the ad threads though!!!

Well, not exactly chuffed

But it feels good to have done something about it, and to know that there are other people out there to talk to about it. You made a big difference, chimchar, thank you.

Glad you went to the appointment and have been able to start treatment, and will be monitored.

Could getting into a good sleep routine and healty eating (with treats of course!) help? I was told to make sure I did not HALT:
H = Hungry?
A = angry?
L = lonely?
T = tired/thirsty?

If you can stop each of the above you are less likely to halt and go so low.

hey cj.

how you doing today? x

Hi chimchar, you are so lovely to check up on me .

Fingers crossed, I'm doing ok so far. No noticeable side effects, and I feel less panicky generally, but I think that's mainly down to having actually done something about the situation. The pills are unlikely to have kicked in yet, presumably? It's amazing, once you start telling people that you're on ADs, how many of them come out of the woodwork and say they're on them too ...

Life is throwing a few challenges at me at the moment, mainly around money, which is making me feel quite insecure and nervous, but I feel a bit more able to cope.

Keziah, thanks for your reply too .

I have been eating really badly and know I need to address this - you're right, I need to get into a much better routine and take better care of myself. I wouldn't let my kids get as run down as I am, so why not treat myself the same way?

Thank you both - again, I really appreciate it.

hey cj.

how they hanging? things on the up?