How do you know if you need to see a doctor?

[LillethTheCat]

Basically how do you know if you are bad enough to see a doctor to get help?

I certainly dont feel depressed, but I am angry and irritable. I have good nights sleep (usually around 7 hours undisturbed, although sometimes I wake up in a right sweat like Ive been in the gym or something), but Im always tired and run down. Ive got nothing to look forward to. Even though life isn't that bad for me it doesn't exactly fill me with joy and great enthusiasm. Im just plodding along.

Is there anything I can look at regarding myself to see if I need to see a doctor or do you see one anyway just in case?

There have been brief moments when I have been worse, a lot worse. Example is when I imagined what it would be like to throw myself down the stairs so I could just stop doing things. This was about 4 weeks ago and there has been nothing since and I dont think there will be again. Just everything got on top of me for a moment. The whole thought lasted very briefly.

I feel sad that I dont do things I should. Like give my kids enough attention. One day DD will realise that when Im watching a film with her and Im on the laptop Im not really watching it. Also reading DS and DD1 schoolbooks hardly ever gets done as Im just too tired by that point in the day. Surely knowing that it should be done and Im just not doing it is a bad thing. I just can't bring myself to it and I really should

I did take up running last year and love the running high you get after a good run so have decided to try to get out more (just hope the weather doesn't get too bad again so I can stick to it) as Ive been avoiding regular running over winter. Also thinking about supplements incase my tiredness is due to something lacking in my diet.

Sorry if Im totally out of line posting this here, but I figure you guys will be able to tell me not to be stupid and that I dont need a Doctor. Or perhaps there will be regular poster of the MH section that can relate to this.

Ive got to go now so wont respond to any replies tonight, but Im interested in reading people's thoughts tomorrow.

Do you wort ft, part time, or a SAHM?
What are your adult relationships like?
Do you drive, and are able to get out and about.
What is the rest of your health like?

It's worth going to see your GP I would have thought.

Quick answer to questions from million

Unemployed, but looking for work while trying to improve my CV doing some adult learning courses

Relationships are ok. Moved away from my home town a year ago and just starting to make friends here. Happily married.

Yes I do drive, though I dont like driving. Always worried about breaking down especially as we can't afford any repairs

Fine as far as Im aware. Had blood tests a while ago to see if there was any reason why Im always tired and it came back normal.

How long have you been tired for?

Not having much money is going to be draining.

I would say, that you are lacking some motivation.
Winter isnt helping.

And is there anything unresolved in your life?

Agree with SnowyMouse about seeing the GP.
Most of us on MN are not health practicioners, so best to be on the safe side.

Maybe set yourself a time limit of something like a month. And in meantime try other things like...running again/plenty of rest/taking some supplements/ relaxation exercises etc

And then if you dont see any improvements - go and see dr.

But if at any time you start to feel worse then go sooner.

I felt like you for a while (about a year). And then suddenly felt 'throwing myself down the stairs bad' for a few weeks on the trot. THen went to the Doc. Was diagnosed as clinically depressed. Went on AD's - have just come off them 5 months later - feel like a different person now.

I would advise visiting your GP.

Hope you feel better soon

ps. the symptoms of irritability/tiredness/anger often come as a result of anxiety. Would be worth really trying the relaxation stuff for a while (even if you do go to the gp too.) if you google or search on youtube there are lots to try.

Thanks for all the advice.

I will give it a month or 6 weeks. Will go running 3 times a week and take supplements. See how it goes.

As I said I dont feel like I particularly need a doctor so was just wondering if that was normal.

I just need something to look forward to. I dont like just plodding along.

I have had occasional times of plodding.

What helped me was making a short term plan, say the next 3 months
a medium term plan, say 6 months, and a long term plan, up to 5 years.
I wrote the plan down. And then , when the plodding feelings came, had a relook and reminder of the plan. Worked for me, might work for you?
[note, you dont have to stick to the plan, and it can obviously be reworked, but it helped me to have some sort of focus]

Also should say, dont beat yourself up if the plan doesnt work out etc.
The last one I did, the short term ideas and medium term ideas worked a treat, the long term ones didnt. Oh well.