Stressed to the max....help

[whatisforteamum]

I've suffered low self esteem eating disorders and anxiety for most of my 20s.until this yr I was okish.Then I was gripped by anxiety for no reason.I could barely get to work on the bus and had to stop driving.I even struggled to make the GPS with my sons help walking.I was prescribed sertraline which I didn't take due to side effects.
8 weeks later I was feeling better.Then recently due to working excessive hrs I found myself unable to get to my local shops.My df is terminally I'll and my ds is has been given meds for bipolar or schizophrenia they are not sure yet.
I quit my job to look after df and see him more now my boss wants 1600 pounds in compensation!!
Then I was called for jury service who h thankfully I was excused from and I live with my dh who has a bad temper and just told me I can have half the f....doing fish and chips!!
Seeing the gp Monday.....I feel like I have too much stress please help :(

Take a deep breath. You have already made the biggest step which is seeing your GP Monday. That is brilliant and you should be proud of yourself. Give yourself until then "off" and distract with nice tv, colouring in etc. Resume this back in the GP's office but until then try to rest.
I'm so sorry about your DF.

Huge hugs, seeing your GP is definately a good idea. I take it your DS is suffering with psychosis, from what you say. My DH suffers with this and it can be so tough supporting someone through this without all the other stuff thats going on.

Different people have different responses to different ADs, there are plenty others to try. Also ask your GP if you can be refered to councelling. Is your son under an early intervention in psychosis team? My husband is and part of their role is to support family members too. I was allocated a family liason officer from DHs team who has been an amazing support to me and his team have also arranged for us to see a family therapist.

something else I have found really helpful is www.reacttoolkit.co.uk its a study into supporting relatives of people with psychosis and bipolar, you either get allocated to get an online resource directory or an online education and support group.

I have suffered with depression and PTSD with associated anxiety in relation to DHs illness and understand how hard it can be coping with high levels of stress. ADs helped me as did councelling and other types of therapy. You will get through this too.

I had crippling anxiety & started sertraline 50 mg, the side effects to start with were terrible but they did wear off ( after about a week or 2 ) Sertraline worked for me, I feel pretty much back to normal, although I have the occasional wobble & can feel the anxiety again ( mildly & rarely ) it's all good and it's helped me loads. If you can get through the side effects you will be able to see how and if they can help ease your anxiety symptoms. Hope you feel better soon, anxiety is awful 🌸

Sorry I meant to say CSIS has possible bipolar or schizophrenia. I wonder if there is agenetic link.Even my adopted bro and sis have mental health issues so I wonder if it was our upbringing...never being good enough etc.Anyway I can't wait for Monday as just speaking to someone will help.watching anyone slowly dying is so hard.Dad has been lucky and had more time than expected however he can hardly walk now and had serious problems for months.Thank you all for replying x

Psychosis (main characteristic of schizophrenia and also often seen in bipolar) is known to run in families though I think the jury is out on how much is genetic and how much is environmental. DH has 2 familiy menbers who also suffer with it neither of which shared environmental factors, so I do believe that there is a genetic link there. I don't think you can lump all mental health problems together as sharing a genetic link though.

It must be incedibly hard supporting your Dad through this and the additional worry of how the stress will affect your sisters condition must make things a lot harder, no wonder you need some support yourself.

My d sis has asked not to be informed each time df deteriorates as she can't cope she only wants to know when he passes away.She doesn't work and has barely done much this last decade or longer.At least I find pleasure in working and k believe it has been so helpful for me giving me something to to us on.
GPS today so I with!! See if they can offer andy advice or support.

The gp has referred me for councelling as he says I have generalized anxiety disorder.He has also agreed to back me up by letter if I need it regarding my employer taking me to court potentially.Thank you all for your advice x

Thats good, that your GP is being supportive. Something I have found very helpful with anxiety and stress is meditation and mindfulness. Theres a really good app called headspace that can help you get started.