Lack of motivation and constant brain fog - please help!

[friyay123]

Before anyone asks, I've attempted to get a GP appointment but I'm fed up of being stuck on hold every morning at 8am, so just want a bit of advice and to be honest, just somewhere to get it off my chest.

The past few months I've just been unmotivated to do anything. I'm constantly exhausted, my brain feels foggy, and I just feel like I'm a big ball of miserable stress!

My periods are usual, no issues there. I have no idea what's happened. It feels like a light switch has just flipped and I suddenly feel awful all the time.

I have a lovely DS who's 2, and a great DH. We have our ups and downs but overall it's a solid relationship. I just have no idea why I feel like this! What's wrong with me?!

After Christmas I was motivated, exercising when I could, eating ok, and felt happy and was reaching various fitness goals. And now I feel like it's just all become undone .

The only thing I can think of is my lack of exercise and healthy eating has lead to me being lazy, eating more rubbish and drinking more that I should, which has then probably lead me to feel like this. I always feel much better when I'm eating well and working out but I just feel like I can't get myself back to it. I just want to sleep! 🙄

Thanks for reading if you got this far! Any advice is welcome!

I'd start with small changes. One at a time. I'm prone to this sort of mental state too.

Biggest impact change for me is a brisk walk every morning, for at least half an hour and ideally on your own while DS is at nursery or with DH. You do it whatever the weather. You'll feel a change within a week I reckon.

Check your surgery website. Many now have a system where you can refer yourself for mental health help. Also, on one of your morning walks you could walk along to the surgery to make an appointment with a GP.

Could be low thyroid, basically you need some bloods from gp check overall health if you haven't had them done for some time.
Persevere with gp calls, try later in the day as less busy, as may just need a nurse one for bloods.
Check their website for econsult first, if they do it, which many surgery's do then its much easier to add symptoms etc and get appointment through there rather than keep ringing.

What age are you OP? Those are typical peri symptoms even if periods are still normal.

Sounds like depression to me
https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/for-adults/depression/a-test-for-depression

Hope you can get a GP appointment. If it feels sudden and unusual maybe they will suggest blood tests to rule out thyroid problems or other causes.

Thank you for the replies, they're much appreciated.

@INeedNewShoes this is what I know I need to do, but struggling to find the motivation. I'm just stuck in a bit of a "I can't be asked" rut. It's just taking that first step I suppose, quite literally!

I've walked to my GP before and they say they can't give appointments anymore, you have to call at 8am or 2:30pm. I'll check out their website again.

@Luckycloverz ah I've heard of thyroid, but not too clued up on what it means to be low etc, maybe I'll have a google of the other symptoms!

@BedRot gosh really? I'm only 29 so really hoping that isn't the case!

@AnotherEmma maybe? I'll have a look, thank you.

I self referred to the nhs for MH reasons about 9 months after DS was born, as I felt really low for a couple of months then, but was told they couldn't help me, so to be honest I've just not bothered asking again.

I feel like sometimes I just need someone to talk to about it all, but can't afford a therapist and sometimes I feel like they're people much worse off than me that need the help more.

I can't believe they said they couldn't help you?! Did they give a reason??

You can find your local service and self-refer. There might be a wait but they should be able to help you!
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-nhs-talking-therapies-service

I know, I was quite surprised to be honest. I know they're completely snowed under, it must be so overwhelming for the staff in those sectors, but as a new mum, I was quite surprised with the lack of help out there that I could access. They said something like it wasn't a significant issue that needed attention so to go to a gp or something along those lines. I felt like I was going in circles, so just started doing a lot of research on my own and talking to my mum friends a bit more.

I'll have another look, thank you. I did that before and I didn't hear back from anyone. It's tough, I get it, but I remember it being quite frustrating at the time I just kinda gave up looking for help!

My local branch of Mind offers support specifically for new mums.
The GP should be able to signpost to free/low-cost counselling that's available even if NHS is not available.

@friyay123 in that case probably not then! But if you were 10+ years older then could be a likely cause.

I get like this at times too. I think I’m perimenopausal. Have you tried Lion’s Mane. It’s helping me at the moment! Hope you feel better