How do you tell people you are not ok?

[NotOK]

I'm not good at the moment, I don't know if this is the right place to put this message as I feel like a fraud but I am going to post anyway.

How do you tell people you are not OK? I don't know how to do it. I just smile and say I'm great, things are good etc I turn my bad days into jokes and any crisis into a comedy when I mention it to anybody.

I think I need to go to the GP but I don't know what to say, I feel stupid and false.

I don't cry, I'm not depressed but something seriously isn't right in my head at the moment. I feel like I'm going to explode and I want to walk away from my life - that's not right is it.

Oh heck I wish I hadn't now, I'm at work and run off my feet but just can not concentrate now this has come up.

Poppiesinaline

Hi. I've not posted before, but was reading the thread - and this caught my eye ...

"By poppiesinaline on Friday, 16 June, 2006 9:52:49 PM
The reason I ask is because I have had 3 phases in my life so far when I have been so ill, and the GP each time tested me for glandular fever and each time the test came back negative - as did all the other blood tests they did for me. My joints play up too (become stiff and very painful) and I just feel like crap the whole time - almost flu like and can hardly function - no fun with kids in tow. Each time the GP has popped me onto ADs (I took them as I would try anything if it might help) and each time within about 3 months the symptoms disappear. I do feel low each time I am ill but its more the physical feeling of illness IYSWIM. "

This sounds like me - and I have been diagnosed with ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I've never been put on ADs so don't know what the effect would be - but my joints ache, especially when cold and / or tired, feel constantly crap for no apparent reason, get normal blood tests ... do you get a foggy head and find it hard to remember things?

It is difficult to diagnose, and some say it doesn't even exist - but it may be something to ask your GP about ...

You have to eat if you're going to have the energy to look after your boys. Little and often might be the way to go - even if you don't fancy anything, have something small to keep you going.

It could still be a sign of depression you know; have you ever heard of "smiling depression"? When depression hides itself behind smile, when you turn everything bad into a joke, when everyone thinks you're fine but your smile is forced and fixed in place, when you over-compensate and laugh when you want to cry.

Sorry, posted on the wrong thread.