STRESSED and in need of help

[heartsandflowers]

I am a regular poster but have changed my name for this.
I am stressed to my limit... I have 3 children aged 5 2.4 and 9 mths. I find myself constantly shouting at my kids and I really dont want to be like this. I am extremely irritable and today I thought I would pop into town and get some 'Kalms' but when I read the box it says you cant take these whilst pg or bf (i am still bf my 9 mth old DD)
Are there any other herbal remadies I could take or is it worth a visit to my GP.
I hate the feeling that I cant cope but on the other hand I am sure it should get better on monday when the schools are back.

You say yourself it is the last day of the school hols! Next week should be so much better. Go over to the 'too early to open the wine thread' and see if you are still feeling the same in a couple of weeks when normality has resumed. if so then go and see the GP and see if you can get some form of help.

thanks flossam... I do get stressed when its not the hols .. dont we all, but I just feel like my brain is in meltdown. I shall wait and get back to the normal routine and see what happens.

I have every sympathy with you and I would really recommend talking to your GP - you may be more depressed than you know. I found myself threatening to throw my son down the stairs earlier this year and rang the HV straight away who came round and sent me to doc - I am now on anti depressants which I have always previously regarded as masking a symptom, not a cure, but they have madew the world of difference, and I have my sense of humour back and can now control myself and life seems fun again. there are tablets you can safely take while feeding. Good luck!!!! You are not alone, just really brave for admitting you are struggling, and if you can find someone to help, I promise life will get better.

Hi there
I almost had a breakdown after my first, regular panic attacks it was horrible. I managed to struggle through somehow but I was really worried I would end up having a breakdown after my 2nd (my first was starting school at this point so I only had one at home.) I think having children is really the hardest thing we can ever do as it pushes us to our limit and more.
By accident I found free relaxation and meditation classes with a free creche run by a local group and have been going once a week. With the risk of sounding OTT it really did change my life. I found I felt so much calmer and discovered my sense of humour and life didn/t seem such a trial.
With three kids of such a young age you are probably suffering from complete exhaustion and probably lack of sleep plus physical strain of Breatfeeding. Do you have any support network - family or friends that could give you a regular proper break during the day so you had some time to yourself to recuperate? What about DH is he helpful and doing is fair share?
A good friend of mine had three like you and is such an energetic, positive person. However when her youngest was same age as yours she got so low from exhaustion and went on Anti-Ds for a short time - really helped her. Bach flowers Rescue remedy added to water and sipped at regular intervals during the day can help too. Often use it if feeling a bit frazzled and is completely harmless. Or a homeopath could help if you are reluctant to go down the medical route. I also found Reiki to be very beneficial and Shiasu massage and hypnotherapy. (I tried masses of alternative therapies for relaxation and stress relief and all have their advantages, but the meditation class was the most helpful.) I really hope you find some way to feel better.