Is this depression or chronic stress? Anyone feel similar? Help please 🙏

[Waitingforthesunshine24]

Hi all,

I have suffered with anxiety and bouts of mild depression for a few years. I had a breakdown in 2023 panic attacks and anxiety due to some health trauma and I lost control. I went onto Sertraline and over time I got better. I came off Sertraline in Oct 2024 and was doing well. This year has been hard, son 5 has ASD and ADHD and was struggling at school, sorting itself out now but at the time was tough. He got suspended and some other bits. I fell pregnant in May and suffered a traumatic miscarriage. My work has been stressful of late and I have been working more hours. I started waking with churning stomach and complete dread. I went back onto Sertraline 8 weeks ago and upped my dose 3 weeks ago. The anxiety has really dampened but I still have moments of feeling so flat and helpless and like wtf is the point in all this. GP thinks this recent bout is due to chronic stress. I am just worried I will never get out of this silly hole I am in. I have a lovely family, home etc just so worried this feeling is forever. I thought peri menopause as I am 38 but have had various tests and chat with a good GP and at present they don’t think it is. I know tests are not fully indicative of peri. Anyway just needed to put this down somewhere and get it out. Has anyone been through the same? ❤️

I have no advice but sending you love and assurance that it will get better

Its good to stay focused and stay determined to see things through. It will work out in the end.

Thinking of you. I understand, as this was me in 2019. Overwhelm and accumulated events lead to a period of shutdown for me. It lasted I would say two months. Medication, time, and physical exercise (digging my allotment every day whether it needed it or not), got me through. Don’t discount the effects of chronic stress. It may also be hormonal but you may be able to balance those a bit by cutting down on sugar and alcohol. I also have children with ASD and ADHD… I am in that camp too, so now now make sure I take account of my sensory needs, which for me is movement, deep pressure, and music. I would say I’m in a better place now. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you all for replying xx