Perhaps it's not surprising I am depressed....

[onemorebite]

when in the last few years

My mum died
I moved halfway across the country away from friends and family
new job (twice)
DP been diagnosed with diabetes
new(ish) baby - not a good sleeper
DP hours cut and now not being paid

And to top it all I am really struggling with guilt and sadness over an abortion I had 10 years ago.....

I've had counselling before but although it seemed to help at the time i am
not sure now. Don't know how I would find the time for it now anyway...

Ah so sorry to hear of your plight. You have had a very tough time and as you say it is no wonder you are depressed. I'm sure you know the difference between feeling "down" and real depression. The root of clinical depression is almost always loss (not necessarily a bereavement) and you have had so many losses,death of your mom, loss of of friends and family, loss of the aborted baby, and then illness and new baby on top of all that.

When we suffer losses in the present, the losses of the past sometimes re-emerge and I am wondering if this is why you are feeling strong emotions about the abortion 10 years ago.

I am not a new mom but a grandmother but I am sure new moms will be on soon to give you more help. I am of course wondering if you are clinically depressed (maybe even only mildly) and whether this could be PND. Do you have any of the classic symptoms of depression and anxiety:
Wanting to withdraw from ordinary life
Lack of interest in things that used to interest you
Lack of motivation.
Sleep disturbance (well you will certainly be having that with new baby)
Lack of concentration
Suicidal thoughts.

If so you need to talk to your HV or see you GP.

However I am sure many young moms will be along to tell you that they have felt like you after the birth of a baby and the sleeplesss nights.

The finance thing is a worry for so many families and I fear that this govt is dragging our country down and down, and there doesn't seem to be an end to it.

CAB are very good on welfare rights so it might be worth your DP getting some financial advice from them.

You have to keep on keeping on cus there's no option is there, but try to think (hard I know) that there will be brighter days ahead.