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Don't know whether to see a doctor

4 replies

ObsessInPhases · 03/02/2015 10:37

I don't know where to start. I am fed up with feeling weird. I used to feel happy, normal. But for the last year or two I've had phases on and off of feeling really down, like there's no hope left for myself or the world. But then I have phases where I feel somewhat fine and I just think I'm being silly, until the net 'wave' of emotions washes over me again, for no reason.

I'm currently in my first year at uni and at the start of last year, whilst on a college course to get myself into uni, I became very stressed and had very low mood, so much that it affected my relationship with my boyfriend and I broke up with him because I couldn't face any of the intimacy and sex, I had no desire for it. After a few months, it's like I felt better again after my college course had finished and we got back together. But the despair has come back again. I was really excited about starting to learn psychology at uni but now I feel I've lost my passion for the subject. I have no motivation in me. I've even found myself, at times, wishing I'd just get poor marks so I get booted off the course because I don't feel up to it. Right now I'm just chugging along. I tried the uni counselling but after one session it just felt like a complete waste of time as all I'd done is ball my eyes out to a strange who just sat there nodding his head and writing in his notepad.

I worry a lot about the world's problems too. Hearing about all the problems in the world and how although I am just one person, I wish I could just help them all. I view the world very negatively and I struggle to see the positives. I battle with myself and my morals about eating meat and wanting to become vegetarian but then my whole family are meat eaters and I feel like an outcast.Because I don't want an animal to die for my food when I could easily live off plants.

I feel like I'm in a constant bubble. I don't feel like myself and I feel like I'm in a constant daze. It's such a weird feeling. I'll be sat in a lecture or with a group of classmates and they'll be talking to me but I can't concentrate on what they're saying and I lack the enthusiasm to take part so a lot of the time I keep to myself. I feel like I'm not really there in the room...

I don't know whether it's worth seeing the doctor because they'd probably just put me on a waiting list behind lots of other people. So many are mentally ill but there isn't enough help available and it just makes you feel worse. I just want to feel like me again but I can't remember what 'me' feels like anymore. The hardest part is when I feel slightly better again, and I feel alright. And then I'm sad, then happy again, in a vicious cycle. But that feeling of being in a daze is always there, like a dream like state.

Sorry for the essay. I feel like I needed to write this out somewhere other than my diary. I'm just scared

OP posts:
Mitchy1nge · 03/02/2015 12:06

what are you scared of?

the thing that stands out to me from your post is the alignment of 'happy' with 'normal', when I think (is just a personal thing obviously) that probably all other states of being are every bit as 'normal' - or more so, in the context of the world in which we live - as 'happiness'

doctors can do a few things about depression, they can prescribe drugs, ECT, do neurosurgery on you (last two not generally a starting point!); they can refer you for or point you in the direction of various psychotherapeutic type treatments instead or as well as medication - CAT, CBT, DBT (not just for borderline PD), IPT, MBT there are probably loads, some with more evidence than others

it surely couldn't hurt to make an appointment and tell them how you feel and what's been going on, and see what they suggest?

dizzydollie · 03/02/2015 13:15

Hi Obsess,

You've done the right thing by speaking to your counselling team at Uni, I know the counselling side didn't help but its good they are aware you are feeling low. I would call them again and explain that you weren't keen on that counsellor maybe they could suggest something else? A mentor from a student council maybe? You have to let these feelings out somehow.

Go and see a gp, I don't mean to sound critical but you don't know what they will offer until you ask for help. They might give you medication straight away I know that's what happened with me and its my decision whether to refer myself to counselling/mental health team.

Have a look at mindfulness, I find it helps me quieten my mind for a bit xxxx

namechange2468 · 04/02/2015 21:00

Hi obsess - you popped onto my thread and mentioned this one, so thought I would say 'hi'.

Without a doubt, go to your GP. I have an amazing one, but even if the first one you see doesn't help, find another one and persist.

From what you say, I would think you have a combination of anxiety and depression. You may well be prescribed something for the depression, and be referred for some kind of therapy. My feelings go in cycles too, which is why it took me 8 years to seek help! This time I booked an appointment and went along even though I am actually in a 'good' phase.

I was referred and had a 30 minute consultation over the phone, where it was decided that CBT would be the best way forward. Apparently it is a 2/3 month wait, which I believe is pretty quick - I think it is luck of the draw where you live.

Please just make an appointment, you have absolutely nothing to lose.
Take care.

mypip · 20/02/2015 10:07

yes, please see your GP. can you talk with friends or family too? good luck with your course too, hope you may make some good friends there. pip

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