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Should I see the doctor?

10 replies

Helpmeimgoingunder · 25/04/2022 20:50

I feel silly writing this because I think I already know the answer but I guess I just want to know I’m not wasting their time.
From the outside my life looks good. I have a good job, own my own home, a gorgeous wee puppy, a supportive partner and my wonderful DC. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have enough for bills and healthy food and the odd fun thing. Could be better but there’s a lot more people worse off than me.

My problem is that for the past 5-6 weeks I feel as though I am drowning. I’m having mild panic attacks, and crying every single day. I’m losing my temper over silly things. I have bitten my nails down so far it’s now actually painful. I can’t concentrate properly at work. I’m sleeping 8 hours a night and I’m still tired every day. I’m getting anxious over things like the dishes not being done and the floor not being swept. The puppy is great until we try and leave, at which point he freaks out and can’t do longer than 5 mins alone. My partner works away so despite being very supportive, isn’t here all the time to help. For background, I had a bit of a breakdown around 3 years ago and I can feel it creeping up on me again. I was never medicated or took time off work because I didn’t want anyone to know what was happening. It contributed to the end of my marriage and caused a lot of pain that took a long time and a lot of counselling to get over. For the past year I’ve felt fantastic, really happy and content (hence the partner and addition of a puppy) but this last couple of months has got me to a point where I feel like I could happily walk out the door and just keep going. Pretend life isn’t happening. I just want a rest. It’s exactly the same as how I felt 3 years ago.

So I guess my question is; am I right, should I speak to the doctor? Or is it maybe just a bad patch that I’m escalating in my head and I will muddle through.

OP posts:
RockAndRollerskate · 25/04/2022 20:52

Speak to a doctor OP, I was exactly like this at one point. Couldn’t describe why but I kept bursting into tears in work, feeling incredibly stressed and anxious almost without trigger.
6 months on sertraline and everything was fine

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/04/2022 20:53

You should absolutely see the doctor, I'm sorry you're having such a bad time.

Do you have any thoughts about what might have triggered it?

RockAndRollerskate · 25/04/2022 20:53

Oh and also - well done for soaking up, even if it’s just on mumsnet, you’ll be ok x

D0lphine · 25/04/2022 20:58

Defo head to the doctor. You don't have to do anything they say - if they suggest pills or counselling you don't have to do either.

It's just good to go and have a chat. Remember the doctor will deal with MH issues on a daily basis. They will hear your symptoms every single day. So there is nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Take care xxx

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 25/04/2022 21:00

@Helpmeimgoingunder
I'm
Sorry your feeling like this.

Like you I had a bad wobble around three years ago and it really frightened me.
The physical symptoms of anxiety are horrendous and the mind is such a scary powerful thing.

I saw my gp and got medication which literally saved me

Over the last two years of covid bashing our finances and work being so stressful with a not so nice boss and other smaller things it's crept up again here and there and I recognise the signs now.
I did ask my gp about upping my medication but he wanted to leave it and see how I went however I called again after a fortnight and requested a slight increase and I e settled a lot better now.

Honestly op see your gp and get something just to help you calm down to be able to collect your thoughts abit and give you time.

I've learnt when I have too much juggling going on and when the pressures starting to affect me and I walk early with podcasts on my own and it really helps me.

Do you get any time to just decompress ?

My other down time is when the dc are in bed and partners away with work.

I draw a line by a certain time of an evening and I sit and doncrosswords on my phone or pootle thru Mumsnet and find some good series to watch on Netflix to distract my mind and to decompress and it really works.

Helpmeimgoingunder · 25/04/2022 21:14

Thanks everyone for all the responses. They’re exactly as I thought, I didn’t know what was wrong with me 3 years ago but I can see it in myself every day at the moment.

My issues previously definitely started after the birth of my child and it all went undiagnosed for a very long time. DC had CMPA and cried a lot because of the pain from colic and reflux, constantly had to be attached to me so never really got much time to myself until she was nearly 6 months. My relationship was crumbling because of my anger and anxiety and that spiraled it all way out of control until I couldn’t get it back.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan unfortunately, I know exactly what has triggered it… it’s the puppy. Even though I know it’s not his fault he has separation anxiety.

@wtfisgoingonhere21 I do but I know I’m in a bad place this week because even the twice daily walks with him aren’t helping me feel any better. I’m seeing it as just another chore on top of being mum, being good at my job, being a good partner, etc.

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 26/04/2022 11:28

I can relate - our dog was about 1yo when we got her and also had SA, and it felt like we'd dropped a hand grenade into our life. Which is exactly how I felt when DS was born, so it's not at all surprising that the puppy has brought all those feelings back to the surface for you. I'm really glad you're going to seem help and I hope you feel better soon Flowers

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 26/04/2022 11:29

*seek

Helpmeimgoingunder · 26/04/2022 12:28

@JesusInTheCabbageVan thats exactly it. I honestly never expected for it to have such a massive affect on my MH. I should have though, it’s why I’ve never had a 2nd child. I know I can’t cope. Hilarious thing is that I got him to get exercise, get out and see people etc and now I’m stuck at home most of the time because of him! Everyone keeps saying it will get better, but I’m not seeing any progress except that my MH is just getting worse. I will contact the doctor today I think and arrange for when partner is back home. Feeling like such a failure.

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 26/04/2022 13:51

You aren't though, really you aren't! We all have different triggers and tipping points, and you've just found (or rather rediscovered) yours. There are other people out there who would maybe be OK in your situation, but would be completely floored by something that you've breezed through without really thinking about it Smile

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