Im so stressed and depressed

[jogalong]

I'm so stressed at the moment and feel so low at times too. I have three young kids and my middle child has recently been diagnosed with autisim. He is so difficult to manage in the house and I am so so worn out.
I work full time too and am in a very stressful job. Financially I am stuck to this job and cannot leave it.
I get so low and tired and sometimes feel like id love to run away and never come back. I feel like Im sinking.
I went to the Gp and she felt I was just sad about my sons diagnosis and that id get over it in time. I cry every day and feel crap. I have horrible thoughts and huge anxiety, always thinking my kids will be killed in an accident while Im at work. I find it difficult to sleep and get regular palpatations

Has anyone any experience of these type of feelings and how did you overcome them? Feel like Im cracking up.

Hi jogalong. You are having a really tough time and I think your gp underestimated how bad it is. How much support do you have, do you have a dp, parents or friends who can help out with the kids to give you a break? I also think you need to go back to the gp, see a different one if possible, and describe everything you told us here. I think you can really benefit from some talk therapy to help you process your feelings about your son's diagnosis and come up with strategies for managing him.

Can not believe the GP! OP go back to the doctors (but not the fool you saw last time) and DEMAND help if you have to. It's clear you are suffering and in this day and age you really shouldn't have too.
Hope you feel better soon. Good luck

www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoors/5050076/How-the-Horse-Boy-conquered-autism.html

Hi Jogalong I am so so sorry to hear you are going through this. I am new to mumsnet and have been really stressed and low as DS2 who is 13 months has not been an easy baby for various reasons. We have moved to a new area and i don't know anyone and have no childcare. Sometimes I feel like I am losing it. I also imagine awful things happening to my kids. It is horrible.

However you have the added stress of work and your son's diagnosis. I have a brother with special needs brother so I understand how hard this is to manage. I think there is an autism helpline for families livingautism.co.uk Also a friend of a friend who has an autistic son up a project for horse riding for autistic children. See article link above.

I agree that seeing another Gp might be a good idea. You have so much stress in your life and need some proper support. I hope you find it soon.

jogalong I'm really, really sorry that you're feeling like this and I can really empathise. DS was diagnosed with ASD three years ago and I had a complete breakdown afterwards. Similar situation - main breadwinner, working FT, child with SN.

No one can appreciate how hard it is to go through the diagnostic process as its incredibly stressful and no matter how prepared you are for the diagnosis, its still a blow when it comes. Managing a child with special needs when you have so little time to yourself anyway is so difficult?

Can you go back to the GP and see if you can get on a waiting list for counselling - being able to talk all of this through with someone is invaluable. Could you take any time of work at all? I think being signed off for a couple of weeks could give you the little bit of breathing space that you need. I went on Anti-Ds in the end, and while it can't do anything about work or DS, it did make life just that bit better, until I'd come to terms with it all properly.