I think I have depression, but how do I know?

[twinniemum]

I feel sad all the time, I am lonely, I feel like crying alot, have a short temper recently.
Is there anything I can do without going to the doctors? I dont want to take anti-depressants, I cant take St Johns Wort because of other medication, is there anything else I could try? Am I depressed or just a bit down?

anyone?

It's worth seeing the doctor anyway. He might be able to refer you to a support group or even send you for counselling.
He will also advise on other things to try , for example exercise is supoosed to be uplifting, and diet can help too

Try health visitor, she will have the PND questionnaire which is relevant even if you are not PN. GP should not automatically prescribe ADs so worth a chat.
For a few quid you can buy 'beat depression' type hypnosis cds on Ebay - won't cure you but half an hour relaxing, listening to positive vibes can't hurt.
Also, are you eating properly? Hunger and low blood sugar levels can really get to you.

it's also worth going to the library and having a look at the self help books there

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Happiness Manifesto

thanks for the hug bod, feel like i need one.
I walk to and from wotk every day which is about 15 minutes brisk walking each way, and i walk to school and back, but thats only 5 minutes each way, apart from that i cant do anything else as i take dt to school then go to work then when ive finished i pick them up, my dh is away most evenings at work at the moment. i have gone from comfort eating which i have done for as long as i can remember to having not much of an appetite, i'll now have a yogurt and banana for b'fast, apple at lunchtime then proper dinner ie pasta. i have also battled with my weight over the last 18 months, i got up to 11st but have now got back down to 10st, so worry about putting that back on too! i think i only put it on though cause i wasnt working so not very active. i go to sleep ok but find i wake up about 4/5 o'clock.
i've got nothing against anti-depressants in particular, just don't like taking medication if i dont have to.

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Try having a bigger breakfast - you metabolise quicker in the mornings so you should breakfast like a king, lunch like a lord and dine like a pauper. Slow burning energy like porridge or Oatibix.

i hate porridge, is readybrek the same? but then i only like that with loads of sugar on. suppose thats no good. i've putting fruit on instead but i dont like it. isnt there anything else i could have?

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ooh, smoked salmon for breakfast, that would be lovely.....

LOL, how about a large spoonful of good jam? Turn it pink! You can eat what you like in the morning.

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Dior is right twinniemum - lack of sleep is only going to make any problems you have worse but early waking is also a common symptom of low mood/depression - so it can be both cause and effect IYSWIM.

DO you do anything with your life apart from dealing with the children, work and worry about your weight? Anything you enjoy and look forward to?

no, not at the moment.

Could DH give you a couple of hours relief once a week while you go and do something that you enjoy? I do tai Chi at the moment but in the past I've done pilates, craft workshops - after this course I'm thinking of doing a silver smith workshop.

I find it helps me to feel something other than an employee or mummy - just time to be me and not have to do anything for anyone else IYSWIM?

Do you think you would be able to do something like that?

we dont have any spare money for me to be able to do anything like (although I would love to)
I dont even have any friends here yet.

sorry for being a bit thick but what does IYSWIM mean?

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I've been caught in that position too Dior but managed to get out of it enough times to have a bit of faith that in getting of my arse I will feel better. Takes time though.

Twinniemum - not all things cost money. Even your DH looking after the children on a saturday morning while you go for a walk somewhere nice will help. Or he could take them for a walk and you could just read quietly, undisturbed, in the house with a lovely big cup of hot tea (can't remeber the last time I had hot tea - sure fire way to get the kids attention in our house is making a brew!). Anyway, you get the idea? It's about having 'me' time - it's really important - I could go into all the psychological theory behind it if you want but just believe that you're worth that time away just for you.

Is it an area you are new to then? Mumsnet can be great for getting RL contacts too if you're willing to disclose your town/general area. Making some local friends may help, for both you and the children.

I know what you mean Dior, I have a bike and love to cycle, as do Dt but its just having the inclination to go out, I start worrying about things like getting a puncture and don't go!

You know Dr Raj from the telly , anyway he said that 1 hr of daylight in Winter or Summer does wonders for depression. Apparently there have been studies. I am a great believer in this. It's not even the exercise although that deffo helps it is the sunlight (even on cloudy days). Can you go out in your lunch break and sit anywhere eating your sandwiches. Try it.

sounds like a good idea, sunshine does always make you feel better than rain....

I did a google and found this.. There is loads of info about people who suffer SAD but thought this was intersting as it was a clinical study and not just about depression but pain. I also found several refereences to Vit d being good for depression.

The exposure postoperatively of patients who have undergone spinal surgery to increased amounts of natural sunlight during their hospital recovery period may result in decreased stress, pain, analgesic medication use, and pain medication costs.

Re no spare money for fun, does your dh get out and have fun though? Sometimes there's double standards that don't get noticed.