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.

thanks again im gonna bye some tomorrow should i stop takin the john worts then?

No idea re SJW, as I have never used it. Might be worth asking when you buy the Rescue Remedy.

can i just get em from the chemist? and how do they work and how do they stop atacks? i worry all day every day about my panic my breathing feels uncomftbale if you know what i mean? thats the worest

You should be able to pick them up in a health food shop - that's where I got mine from, although you may have to ask for them as they sometimes keep them behind the counter for some reason!
It's worth giving them a go - they have helped me to control my panic attacks, so they may well work for you.

Don't know how they work exactually, but they seem to help.
You either put 4 drops on your tongue, or into water, which you then sip.
My sister took some on her wedding day & swore by it!

soz to be a pain but can you tell me what happens when you have a atack and does it come when your stressed coz i have been havin them alot latley but more of the breathing feelin uncomftable if you understand that~?ov a nite i cant sleep and trains are a no go i freck out bad.im shiting myself as in april im getting married overseas and have to go on a plane im really scared about going on that airaplane?

I get them when very stressed, and yes my breathing goes a bit wafty!
They often start with a horrible knotty feeling in my stomach, which kind of moves its way up my body. I feel a bit bonkers & like I need to escape wherever I am at the time. My heart rate goes right up while I am going through them too.
They normally only last a few minutes, but those couple of minutes seem like a lifetime!
Thankfully (fingers crossed) I haven't suffered a major one for a while, but I always carry my Rescue Remedy around with me!

thanks again was nice chating with ya.this is my email if you fancy chating on smn or sumtink [email protected] one more thing these remedys do u only take em when you feel one coming on or are they a every day thing?

Personally, I only take them before going through something that I feel could trigger an attack, I don't take it everyday. I'm sure you could do though, if you feel this panicky all the time.

I don't really think that Rescue Remedy is the answer to major stress and depression. It is critical to understand the root cause of your stress and address this.

As a former depression sufferer, I had to get to grips with the fact that the lifestyle I was leading was way too exhausting. And once I had done that, I basically had to throw away a lot of that lifestyle and reconstruct.

Modern life is very taxing for many of us and we shouldn't feel guilty for being overwrought and unable to cope. Try cutting life back to an acceptable calm minimum and only add on activities when you have the strength. I know it's easier said than done.

I agree that RR isn't a solution to major stress & depression, and I just bought it to help control the panic attacks I had started to experience. I don't take it daily to reduce my stress.
I bought Kalms to see if they could calm me enough to not have to look down the AD road, but found they didn't really help me at all.
I have no doubt at all that my stress is a result of my current circumstances, and I feel it may get worse before it gets better!

Oh dear. What do you need to do for your circumstances to improve?

FIS - yes it does make sense.

Sorry x posted!
Well, I am in the middle of a separation, which has been going on for the last 9 months. We are still living under the same roof, but not for much longer, so I will have these huge changes happening soon.
Also have lots of worries with DS1 atm, and at times I feel totally overloaded with everything.

I am getting DS1 assessed & obviously I'm doing everything possible to sort things for the separation, but I'm not sure how to lift any of the stress right now!

Yes, that all sounds pretty stressful. Have you got specific support for your separation (eg Relate, CAB) and for your daughter (eg child psychiatrist or paedatrician)? Or just general counselling?

sorry it's your son, misread

Do you have a new home to go to once your separation is finalised?

Yes, my eldest son has difficulties & I've asked for him to be referred for a developmental check.
That on top of the stress I'm experiencing with my marriage break up are what are causing me to become a bit on the stressed side!

Yes, I am in the process of buying a house atm.

Went to CAB months back & I have a solicitor for the marriage break up.
Nobody extra involved with DS1 yet, other than school SENCO, but he is being looked at by school nurse soon.

fis,yes you do make a lot of sence thanks.xxx pink/c i ask around the chemist but was told to go somewere like boots so i will try there.?

Yes, I think you will have more success somewhere like that or a health food shop. I got mine from Holland & Barrett.

its funny i think it is all in the mind as i had to go out this morning,i was pushing my little one in the buggy and fely really funny like i was gonna faint,i thought about bein on mumsnet and how im not the only one then kinda started to feel better. STRANGE lol