Not sure what to do

[CoddiwomplingThroughLife]

My Mum had a stroke a few months ago and is on 'end of life' care. I am not coping very well. I am also having problems with my marriage. My anxiety is through the roof and I am not eating or sleeping very well. I want to ask the GP about medication but I am worried about side effects and feeling worse. I don't think I could handle that.

Sorry to hear what you're going through, it sounds very stressful.

I don't get the reluctance to take anti depressants though. Not everyone has side effects and your GP would make you aware of that and it doesn't have to be forever, just to get you over this difficult time.

However, they do take a few weeks to kick in and are not an instant fix. If you are still reluctant, do you have support? Maybe talking about it to someone ( other than family) would help.

I wish you luck, it must be very hard for you at the moment ♥️

Thank you, I will speak to my GP.

No, I don't really have anyone I can talk to. My MIL keeps ringing me and wanting to talk. I don't feel like talking to her due to my marriage issues.

Can you divert your MIL to voice mail?

See the GP and discuss how you feel overwhelmed.

Can you call the Samaritans? You're going through a lot of stress and that's what they are there for, to talk things through.

I'm sorry about your mum💐

poppyzbrite4 thank you. My MIL is very persistent and will keep texting if I don't answer.

I did think about ringing the Samaritans but I thought they were for people who were suicidal so thank you, I will give them a call.

I will call my GP tomorrow morning (they have no appointments for today).

Anti-anxiety meds were a life saver for me, quite literally.
I was scared of side effects too and didn’t take the meds for a very long time, but once I did start taking them and they started to work I wished I had taken them sooner.
They can seem scarier than they are, and they can put you on a low dose.

Thank you. That is reassuring.

I had an appointment with my GP. She doesn't want me to have meds because I suffer with gastrointestinal issues and anxiety medication can make them worse. She also said it is hard to come off them. She said I just need support and offered talking therapy.