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I don't want to live this lonely miserable life anymore - I can only see one way out

81 replies

MumInTheCity · 04/01/2018 22:15

My dad died last week. He was the only man who ever loved me and I can't bear to be without him. I'm a single parent to one 12 year old DD - we don't get on. She tells me often how much she hates me. I work hard but can only just cover the bills, there's never any extra.

I drag myself through each miserable day just because I know my mum will be upset if I killed myself and after losing my dad I don't want to make her suffer anymore.

I'm not worried about my DD - I know she'd be upset initially, but if I died she'd go to live with my sister and her husband and baby. She'd have a proper family for the first time in her life, a big house, nice holidays, and more importantly, my sister who would love her and have the patience to deal with her that I've never had. She'd have a much better life without me.

I know I'm depressed and maybe not thinking straight but there is no help available for me, believe me I've asked. A few weeks before my dad died I saw my GP. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and referred for counselling. I have to wait 5 months for it. I just can't manage to drag myself through another 5 months of this.

I phone the samaritans most evenings when I'm close to the edge and they're great but they can't really help either.

I've tried to tell my friends how I'm feeling and they've all expressed sympathy but there's nothing else they can do, they have their own lives.

I called cruse today but they couldn't help, I live in the wrong borough. I feel like I've run out of options.

I spend all day crying and staring mindlessly at the tv without actually watching anything while my DD shuts herself away in her room to escape me. Something has to change. There is only one way out now that I can see, I just hope my mum, sister and DD can forgive me.

OP posts:
iammeegan · 05/01/2018 12:14

Hi op, well done on getting to the drs today, and good luck I really hope they give you some tools to fight this. Thanks

StormTreader · 05/01/2018 12:15

I hope your appointment went well OP. I was prescribed ADs without yet having had a counselling appointment, they absolutely can prescribe them before counselling has happened.

MumInTheCity · 05/01/2018 13:47

He's given me fluoxetine (sp?) for 2 weeks then I have to go back for review. Bit concerned as he did say they might make me worse before o get better - not sure how much worse I can feel?! But at least it's (hopefully) a step in the right direction.

OP posts:
IrisAtwood · 05/01/2018 13:57

Really pleased that you got an appointment and that you got through this morning.
The anti-depressants might take a little while to start working. I think what he means by ‘feeling worse” is that a few people have some physical side effects such as nausea or a dry mouth until they are used to them.
I watch TV box sets of stuff that I like, take lots of baths, listen to audiobooks and forget about any housework when I am very low. I also listen to mindfulness and relaxation clips on youtube.

Fairylea · 05/01/2018 14:01

Op my dh is on fluoxetine and it has been utterly life changing for him. Before taking it he was off work with depression for nearly 2 years, coming very close to complete breakdown. He did find initially it made his teeth chatter a little and he was a bit shaky for a week or so but once it settled down it has literally changed his life. He has been on it for nearly 3 years now and has been so happy in himself since it kicked in, he’s been working full time in the same job for nearly 2.5 years now. Definitely give it a try. Dh needed the dose increasing to 40mg after 6 months and finds this is the right dose for him.

Bec1302 · 05/01/2018 14:02

Anti-depressants can take a while to work. Try not to panic if you dont feel better straight away.
Be proud of yourself for getting to the doctors, thats a big achievement.

Auburn2001 · 05/01/2018 14:11

Well done for seeing your GP. It’s ok to take things one step at a time.

BulletFox · 05/01/2018 14:32

Take care MumCity, glad you updated.

Go give dd a huge hug and kiss and say how difficult it is without your dad and how much he meant.

And eat well, speak to your friends, and do nice things.

MumInTheCity · 05/01/2018 14:57

Thank you all. Fairylea thank you for sharing your story, it has given me hope.

OP posts:
BuckingFrolicks2 · 05/01/2018 15:17

Hi OP

Well done for going back to the doctors. When I started antidepressants I felt about odd for a week or two - vivid dreams, weak, and yawned a lot - but it passes and honestly it's made a massive improvement for me and my family. I feel alive, content, normal. I no longer lie in bed all day sobbing in a grey mist of hopelessness

Stick with the medication. The review in two weeks is normal and just to check any side effects and review the dosage.

You are on the road to feeling better.

Ps. Your DD does not hate you, she is probably struggling with your mental health.

MostIneptThatEverStepped · 05/01/2018 16:56

Hey OP well done for making it there and explaining yourself. I was on Fluoxetine for a while and after a few initial physical side effects, when it kicked in I felt so much better. I had two increases of dose so don't be afraid to go back if you ever feel it's not really working. And if it isn't the right one for you, you can try another one. You will feel better soon.
At dark times in my life I've thought about not being here. But I know what that would do to my kids and that saves me. My dad died when I was 16 and it has scarred me for life. Your daughter loves you and needs you more than she even knows.

littlenicky61 · 05/01/2018 18:20

So glad your appt went well . Keep chatting on here if you feel you want to and really hope you start to feel better soon. You took the first steps today so thats a really positive thing .xx

Fairylea · 05/01/2018 18:54

Flowers all the hugs for you op, keep us updated and keep talking on here. It’s good just to have somewhere to let it all out.

Frogletmamma · 05/01/2018 18:58

If your feeling like it. Light a candle. Have a quick pray. It helps for me anyway.

user764329056 · 05/01/2018 19:28

Fantastic that you made it to the GPS for your appointment, may not feel like it at the moment but that’s a great achievement and a positive when everything feels desperate, well done OP, hope that doesn’t sound condescending, I really don’t mean it that way, just impressed that you have taken action and that medication will help, just give it a bit of time, sending love and support

MumInTheCity · 05/01/2018 19:30

I spoke to my sister earlier on. I hadn't told her how bad things were but she knew anyway, she must have sensed that I was struggling. She has booked me in with a counsellor next week which she is paying for. Hopefully that might help too. I'm definitely feeling stronger tonight than I did last night.

OP posts:
NetflixAndGin · 05/01/2018 19:37

So pleased you will be getting counselling OP and that youve got some meds now. So glad you have your sister too. Look after yourself x

Frogletmamma · 05/01/2018 19:41

Get plenty of sleep over the next couple of days and wait for the antidepressants to give you some relief. Won't happen immediately but will happen

Silverthorn · 05/01/2018 19:46

No experience with this sort of thing but when I feel down, I find getting out into the fresh air lifts my spirits. It's been so dark and dull over winter.
Your daughter doesn't hate you. She is just pushing against boundaries, juggling new hormones, all that. Often, saying they hate you means that they trust you the most that they can say anything and you will still love her.
Sorry for the loss of your dad. I still miss mine 8years on. Do you want to reminisce. Remember the good times. Try to recreate those good times again?
Glad to hear you have some help. Best wishes. Flowers

myrtleWilson · 05/01/2018 19:51

Hi OP - am so pleased that you've had a more positive day today. My DH has been on anti depressants for a while (citalopram not fluox) he was a bit hyper for the first few days - like he'd had several espressos.. and don't be afraid of the review - its important to check you're managing with it, any side effects and in time to reflect on the dosage you're on. Its not there as a "you've got two weeks of it and then we'll take it away"

As others have said I'm sure your DD doesn't hate you at all - 12 is a difficult age and she's probably not sure how to react to your mental health issues. Was she close to her granddad?

I don't know if other posters have better suggestions but have you looked at Mind's resources for helping your children when you have MH issues www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/parenting-with-a-mental-health-problem/helping-your-children/#.Wk_WSSN0fBI

I also wondered if there were any decent books that you could buy for your DD - I looked on Amazon and there is one called "Why are you so sad" but from the look of it I think it may be aimed at younger children. Another option could be Living with a Black Dog. Both get excellent customer reviews. I thought a book that she could refer to when she felt the need may give her something to "check" against. Thats not to say that she should become your carer at all but that she has a resource that may help her understand. Obviously you'd need to read any before giving to her.

Look after yourself

Orchardtree · 05/01/2018 21:53

Glad to hear things went well at Dr and that you opened up to your sister. I think having someone close to you in RL to share your feel8ngs with is important OP. Small steps each day. Things will get better. You should feel proud of yourself for being so strong and getting the help you need. Best of luck xx

FireandBrimstone · 06/01/2018 00:24

Well done, that's so good that you managed to get to speak to the GP and also you've reached out to your sister. You've gone over a couple of really big hurdles in just a few hours and I hope you can really recognise these achievements. The antidepressants could take a couple of weeks before you feel any kind of difference and the first few days, so be kind to yourself and take things easy in the coming days. Have a hug with your daughter if you feel up to it - you probably both could do with one. ThanksThanks

MumInTheCity · 06/01/2018 11:04

I'm meeting with the minister who will be performing my dads funeral today to tell him what I want him to say about dad. It's going to be a tough day Sad.

OP posts:
Orchardtree · 06/01/2018 19:44

Lots of love to you OP xx

Fairylea · 06/01/2018 19:45

Thinking of you op. How did today go? I know that’s a daft question but just wondered how you were doing.