Feeling like I don't want to be around - what can doctor do?

[GreyTintedSpectacles]

We have a great life, son, relationship, house, community, etc ? people comment on how wonderful it all is and how happy I must feel ? but I don?t; I can't. I just feel kind of numb. More recently, I?ve been a bit scared by feelings of not wanting to be around at all, if it weren?t for our son.

I?m seeing my doctor on Monday about all this, and I?d like to know before I go what kind of treatment I can expect him to offer ? or I should ask for. I don?t want to be handed a prescription for any old antidepressants before I?ve barely spoken. What kind of drugs/talking therapies/alternative therapies are likely to help bring me out of this? What?s worked for you?

Thanks, all. Hope you?re feeling good.

Sorry to hear you're feeling so low GTS - you are definitely doing the right thing to see your doctor as soon as possible. Anti-depressants can be very useful for helping you to feel just that bit better enough to cope with day-to-day life - it's quite likely your doc will suggest this, maybe as the first option, but I would definitely recommend that you ask the doc (he/she may well suggest it anyway) about talking therapies. You might get a referral for counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy on the NHS, although it is likely that you'll have to wait some time for an appointment.

I'm a believer in holistic therapies: you could look into something like acupuncture or homeopathy. I don't think it would do any harm and may well be helpful.

I highly recommend a book based on the principles of CBT which will give you a flavour of the approach and you may find it helpful: "Feeling Good" by David Burns MD. Don't be put off by the cheesy American cover!

I hope you feel better soon: depression is a terrible thing to live with - hugs x

IF you know you have no reason to feel that bad (if you really do) I would advise to accept the ADs if they are offered by your doctor. Sometimes is not about feeling better about yourself, as you say you can apreciate that you have no reason to feel like that, in some cases probably the body is not producing certain hormone, etc and talking about it won't help much. So get the ADs even if it's just to give you the will to try other things, read some books or try other therapies.

Alternative therapies are fine, the difficult thing is to find a good practioner (we have been to a fantastic homeopath but we went also to two who deserved a change of career).

HTH, depression is a horrible thing, but it can get better if you accept that litle extra help.

The other thing with AD's is, is that they help you to get things into prospective. When you are depressed you just cannot think straight no matter how you try. And why feel bloody miserable all the time. If others around you don't know about depression or don't realise you have it, then they will all wonder why you are not leaping in the air and turning somersaults with your great life. And you need that like a hole in the head at the moment.

My GP was lovely but advised me that the waiting list for counselling was over 9 months (unless I wanted to pay). I opted to take the AD's as I thought waiting 9 months would be a recipe for disaster for me and my family.

I just wanted to feel "me" again.

((Hugs)) for you. Hope you find something that works for you.{smile}

Thank you, ladies. I know I have some "issues" to address, and also that some blood tests last autumn showed my serotonin level is way off the bottom of the normal range. So probably a couple of different approaches are needed - antidepressants, plus counselling/CBT, maybe?

Anyway, thanks again. Let's see how it goes ...

Good luck GTS, let us know how you get on

I felt a lot like this after birth of my 1st son about 5 yrs ago. I did nothing about it but it all came tumbling down when fell pg with second son. As I was pg I resisted taking ADs though I think some are safe, but I did see an community pshy nurse, and I did find it useful. It didn't disappear overnight but it did ease and gradually it got better. I think you will probably be offered one or both of these. I can really identify with the not wanting to be here bit. I very much thought my young son would be better off without such a crap mum........thinking of you and hope you get some good help