I guess there is a pretty fine line between stress & depression, so how do you tell the difference?

[pinkchampagne]

I have suffered from PND, which felt a very out of control experience, and this is what I always assosiate with proper depression.
However, just recently (well, over a good few months), I have been really struggling with sleeping, having the odd panic attack, feeling very nagative about myself, and most of all, I have been really struggling with being a decent mother. I have episodes of shouting too much because I'm not coping & then feeling tearful straight after.

I have been under a fair amount of stress recently, and put most of these things down to that, but having had a bout of depression in the past, I am always a little cautious it may be returning.

How can you really tell if it is stress or depression setting in?

I am trying to avoid heavy ADs & convincing myself I can cope, but at times I am not so sure I'm doing such a good job myself.

How are you PC?

It's funny how you can almost convince yourself that you're ok, isn't it? And then, with me, it suddenly gets overwhelming and I end up in a big mess that feels almost impossible to pull myself out of.

Sounds like you had a good day out today. Take care of yourself, x

I am not doing too bad today thanks, mamama.

Hope you're okay. I can totally identify with your description of convincing yourself you are doing just fine, and then completely collapsing.

i agree with (isthereaDRinthehouse) that with stress, you can have ups, but depression, everything turns negative in your head.

during both my pregnancies i had horrible depressiong during my pregnancy (its really horrible to go through pregnancy thinking about wanting bad things to happen to you and/or the fetus).

please please please go to www.justbewell.com and download the mp3 called 'releif from stress' by duncan mccoll. all you have to do is listen to this recording while you are going to sleep. you won;t beleive how much it helps.

it saved me. my husband tried, my friends tried, i took some medication, some vitamins, but this was the only thing that made a real difference.

I am taking it that you have worked out who I am, FIS!

I have suffered with depression during pregnancy & following DS2's birth, and can identify with that horrible black feeling that just doesn't lift, and I can totally identify with your feelings on pregnancy depression, nathaliea.
Having experienced proper depression, I do fear it returning everytime I have a bad spell of stress, because there can be a pretty fine line between the two.
I do think I am probably just suffering with stress, which is brought on by everything that is going on atm.
You can try to get on with things, act cheerful & just push everything to a corner in your head - but there comes a point when it all gets too much, and you kind of lose it. I think this is what happens with me.

Am I that obvious??!!

Oh yes I remember doing that! This is my regular MN name & I was flitting between the two that night & forgot to change it for that post!
I have stopped posting under that name & cannot be bothered to keep name changing, so sticking to just this name for the time being!
Nice to "see" you again.

That's how I knew too!

Hope you're ok btw

I'm useless aren't I?!!

I am ok thanks. Felt a bit wobbly today, but I guess it is to be expected.

Boys are in bed & I am trying to be good & drink tonic water without the gin!

Am in the process of buying a house now, so things are really progressing.
H has put an offer in on a flat & is waiting to hear if it has been accepted.

Am impressed at the tonic without the gin. Maybe I should do that too...

Sounds as if things are moving quickly over there. It's very scary isn't it? Things are moving over here but I'm stalling a bit. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, I know I have to be, but I'm not! Good luck with all your house stuff.

Depression is what occurs when you have been through (or are in) an extended period of stress. Everyone's body is different and the symptoms of depression vary from one individual to another to reflect this.

You definitely need support and counselling, and you definitely need to remove stress from your life. Of course, that is much easier said than done, but sometimes, addressing the issues that stress you one by one (with help and support from outside) can at least make you feel you are regaining control of your life rather than just being in a huge fog of stressful situations with no apparent way forward.

Medication can help to relieve the symptoms of depression that can stop you functioning sufficiently well to address your stress.

Thanks for your post, Anna8888.
I try to get through a lot of my stress by trying to wipe things from my head as much as possible, but it all catches up with you in the end.

I am having counselling, and I am trying not to get myself so uptight about everything, but sometimes it's hard!

FIS - it looks quite positive re H's offer being accepted.

mamma - got your CAT & will be in contact.

Good luck. I've been there, it was just horrible, but things can get better.

try karms there a herble remady from the chemist or st johns worts what is a enery boost works wicked and really karms you down.xx

I have tried Kalms & didn't notice a huge amount of difference tbh!
Have bought some Rescue Remedy, which I use to help prevent panic attacks. I do find that calms me a bit.

everyones dif as they worked really good for me and not for someone else.what remdy for the panic atakes are you takin?

Bach's Rescue Remedy.

thanks as i might try them coz i get panic atakes the karms really karm me but there not really for the atacks so will give them ago. also can they be taken with karm do ya know.x

Well I sure take them together!!
I find the Rescue Remedy is much better for helping to prevent the panic attacks than Kalms, which don't seem to touch the sides with me!