Depression when you have children

[Alsjsoefi936392]

I am feeling very depressed. I tried sertraline but too many side effects so not medicated at the moment. Also peri menopausal.
My depression is mostly situational. I am in an unhappy marriage, am very obese, only have 1 friend, have just left a job so unemployed. My son worries me a lot as he also has mental health issues. My kids are both teenagers.
I do absolutely everything for my kids and try to be a good parent all the time. Im with their dad . But I am spent. I am so fatigued all the time I feel like I dont want to do anything. I just want to stay in bed all day or sit alone all day. Obviously I cant do this and its the half term at the moment. I hide it from them as best as I can and I am still very present but inside im dying and I don't know what to do. Every day I feel more helpless and more tired. It takes me a mammoth amount of energy to do an activity with them which is making me feel so guilty which in turn makes me feel worse. When they are at school its not so bad.
Obviously they are oblivious. I have told them a little .

I doubt they are oblivious. As much as when I was a teen I remember my mother’s sadness. Go and seek help from your gp as there are many other medications in that group and some will agree with you more.

Go to gp. Seek help.
. Leave your marriage .Why do you stay? See a counsellor to talk it thru .
See a solicitor for practical issues

I see you 💐

Mine are younger but I’m in the same boat other than that…

I don’t have any advice, but I’m offering a hand hold

Just thought I'd see how you're doing? I really struggle with this too. I have young kids and they see my sadness even though I try to mask it. I am honest with them now and say I'm having a hard day/ week.

Hi OP. I am sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment. Whilst I think you could benefit from a medication review with your GP (Your current med and/or dose might not be right)… I think you’d benefit from some emotional support from a counsellor. Only having 1 friend and being in an unhappy marriage must be quite draining for you. No wonder you’re so tired and depressed. I think seeing someone and making some lifestyle changes could do you the world of good.

Don’t listen to people who will tell you to simply leave your marriage - as if it’s that easy and simple!!! Focus on rebuilding yourself slowly… building blocks… then when you are feeling stronger and more ready, you may wish to consider whether the marriage is right for you.

THIS !
I broke down and was quite honestg with mine when I was at myh worst (they were teens)
Think it is important that they know that parents are humans too.
Good advice about small steps for yourself too. Could you volunteer whilst looking for a new job (I love my role - makes me put my own issues into perspective ; I am not trivialising yours though !)