Is this just a hectic life or something else...

[onelittlefish]

The other day DH said half-jokingly that I was becoming manic and that I can't seem to sit still anymore (I used to be mega-chilled). I am realising it myself and not only am I becoming obsessed with doing things and getting things done I am worrying about things all the time. Everytime I go to bed my mind starts running away with all the things that I should be doing and all the things I need to do. In addition to this over the past few months I have lost weight. Some of it was baby weight but I am now nearly two stone lighter than I was before I had my children (youngest is a 13 months and eldest 2 yrs 5 months).

I actually, don't even feel quite myself. I spend so much time getting upset about things people have said to me which sometimes are quite benign. During the days I feel tired but at nights I am just awake and constantly thinking my day through in my head and what I have to do the next day.

Is this just having a hectic life or is it worth seeing a doctor?

do you have problem getting a good night sleep?

I think its just a hectic life. Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes by your responsibilities? You have two small children that are close together. Do you make time for yourself ? eg a bath on your own...or even a trip to the supermarket. Do you eat well and make time for meals ? it sounds like you just need to relax

At the moment and for me definitely.

Until a month ago I would sleep for between 8 and 9 hours in a night and at the moment I am struggling to get 6. Maybe once a week I feel like my body gives up and I do actually sleep for a full night.

if I was you Iwould go and see my GP and ask for some help
if caught early - depressions won't settlr (this is my theory :) )
you can't afford to be exausted as you are

good night sleep is a start to feeling better during the day

I do make time to relax and then I end up feeling like I should be doing something. I am actually sitting here now thinking I could be doing something constructive (but I may go to bed in a minute).

is all about priorities

make sure you understand what's more important in long term
ironed clothes or healthy relationships and good sleep ;)

Try setting apart an hour in the day that is just for you to relax and during which you do not expect to do anything constructive. In this context watching 'stenders is a great use of time. Or Mnetting, or whatever.

It seems that you have stopped switching off because there is always so much to do.

It does sound like you are agitating a great deal and this can be a symptom of anxiety (meaning fear) sometimes it is specific and sometimes just "free floating" anxiety. Usually there are physical symptoms that go along with the anxiety e.g. shortness of breath, shakey legs, heart racing and many others. Do you actually feel afraid. If so I think it might be wise to see a GP to try to nip the anxiety in the bud, but that is usually only by way of taking ADs which deal with anxiety too. The trouble with drugs just for anxiety is that they usually make people dependent on the drug which is not a good thing. This is why many GPs don't prescribe the major tranqs like they used to.

Maybe that is a step too far and you just need to monitor yourself for a while. Can you join a yoga class or meditation, which are both good for anxiety. A breathing pattern can help too (that time when you are lying on the bed having "me" time) breathe in slowly to a count of 7 and breath out slowly to a count of 11 - doesn't have to be rigid, can be 4 and 7 or whatever but the outbreath needs to be longer than the in breath.

CBT is something many MNs find useful and your GP should be able to refer you to an NHS counsellor., though there is usually a waiting list, but if you can pay you would obviously get seen very quickly. I only know the basics, which is that it aims to stop the automative negative thoughts taking hold, and then going in a downward spiral, which makes us feel worse and affects our emotions and behaviour. The aim is for more balanced thinking and looking at helpful ways of coping with stress/anxiety rather than unhelpful ones.

Your young children are obviously good sleepers which is a bonus, but caring for two LOs is going to be stressful as I'm sure you have found out.