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What the hell is wrong with me?!

5 replies

snotfunny · 30/06/2013 17:40

I haven't been over on this board before, although I have a history of depression and anxiety. I was on fluoxetine until about a year ago and have seemed a lot better. However, in the last 4/5 weeks I've been finding things tougher and tougher. I'm irrational and irritable and crying about absolutely nothing and being tired and lacking in motivation. I was hoping I just needed a rest and, as I'm a teacher, was thinking I'd be ok if I could just get through to the holidays... And then this weekend happened.

I was supposed to meet friends on Saturday, but when I got up I just felt panicky about it. I couldn't face getting on the train or getting the children ready and was dreading seeing my friends, who I love and have been looking forward to seeing for ages. I told them I was ill and stayed at home with the baby. I then ate and ate and ate until I felt sick. Today is worse. I was supposed to meet another friend, but couldn't face seeing anyone. I made DP have the baby for the day because I couldn't face the day. I've been picking on him and trying to start a row and then apologising and crying and then starting all over again all day. I don't know why I'm doing it because it's making me feel horrible. I called DS's Dad and asked him to keep DS overnight, not because I don't want him tonight, but because I couldn't face going to pick him up and having to see anyone. I have tried to go out for a walk with DP and the baby, but ended up climbing into the car, which was outside the house, and curling up in a ball because I needed to be in a safe space and not see anyone.

I can't go to work tomorrow, but I was off work for 2 months 2 years ago because I had one of these episodes and I don't want everyone thinking I'm an unhinged loony (although I am, obviously)

Why can't I pull it together and top letting everyone down? Terrible parent, terrible partner and terrible friend. Not to mention flaky employee. I hate this and I hate me and I want it all to stop.

OP posts:
kerstina · 30/06/2013 17:52

It does sound like you have post natal depression you certainly sound like you have all the symptoms. You need to go to the doctors in the morning as you obviously are not well enough for work if you feel the same in the morning. Sounds hormonal related to your cycle perhaps. You can be prone to PND when you stop breast feeding as the endorphins stop.

ThisKnifeitDoesNotCutDeepEnoug · 30/06/2013 17:55

Get yourself a GP appointment, get talking to people and maybe back on the fluoxetine. Sorry you have had such a miserable weekend, I can empathise. And your work will just have to deal with it if you are unable to work you cannot help that. X

Empross76 · 30/06/2013 18:01

I'm similar to you with the history of depression, also a teacher so I sympathise a lot. I too feel like a failure at so many things.

My advice would be to be pro-active and get to the doctors ASAP. It sounds like a depression is starting again. They can perhaps put you back on ADs to help you to cope day to day.

I find ADs useful to 'paper over the cracks' but am about to start CBT and am on a waiting list for counselling to try to 'fill in the cracks' so that I stand a better chance of taking some control of my mental health. Otherwise I seem to tread water for a while then another depressive episode takes over and it just becomes a cycle.

Good luck.

snotfunny · 30/06/2013 19:04

Thanks everyone. I know I need to go. I think I've been getting steadily worse for a couple of months, but I didn't want to give in to it and now I'm acting like a properly self-indulgent crazy person- smacking my head on walls and refusing to leave the house and being really unreasonable and selfish about everything. I want to shame myself and get a grip, but somehow I just can't.

It isn't exactly post-natal depression. The 'baby' is 18 months, but I had a termination on her first birthday after a contraception failure (I know. I'm stupid too) I've been ok about that. I haven't let it get to me. I only took half a day off work for it.

I honestly don't know what's triggered it this time. I feel like a complete failure. I can't face going back to the doctor either. I go, I take the mess for a bit then, inevitably, forget to get a repeat prescription and end up off them again until another episode kicks off. I'm not even sure I'm depressed. I've no reason to be. I just think I'm selfish and can't cope with things that other people do. I'm just weak.
DP always says that : 'everyone feels like you do sometimes, but we all just get on with it.' Why can't I, then? What's wrong with me?

OP posts:
frustratedashell · 30/06/2013 19:14

I know what it's like to be feeling like that.IGet to the doctors . Your DP needs to understand your illness and be supportive. His attitude stinks!

Hope your feeling better soon

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