How do I recover from chronic stress

[Ellabellailb]

I'm in a pickle. Ive fallen slowly into a bad place. It started with feeling tired. Now it's progressed Into fear, panic and im unable to sleep. My brain is having zaps several times a minute. I feel sick. I'm teary. I'm not depressed. But I feel really lost. I have no idea how to feel better. Leaving the house for short periods is ok. But I struggle to go to far without feeling wobbly.

My partner is very supportive and has talked to me openly about medication and his past experiences with a therapist etc. His therapist said meds play a part in recovery for some people but many are given it because the GPS can't do much else. So the actual support to get better isn't there. He's asked me to try EFT and reading books, meditating etc first. But I have children and there is no time in the day to care for myself.

I'm currently laid in bed. Brains "zapping" and I feel like I'm headed towards a horrible place. I don't have any support really. My friend listens to me and I do the same for her. But she's got a husband and children. My partner works. My family are a waste of time. They don't help. They never visit. Always busy. My parents live two minute drive away and it's always down to me to visit. Even though my dad drives and I dont. They've never called in and tbh I don't think they realise how I'm feeling. My mum knows I'm feeling abit allover. I told her 3 weeks ago. She's not asked me once since how I am.my partner's parents live an hour away and it's rare to see them.

I'm so scared of how much worse it can get. But I don't want side effects from medication. I don't want to be drowsy, nauseous and numb. I've spoken to the gp but he didn't seem positive about meds and was quite honest about the waiting list to talk.

I want to get better. But I can't get a few
quiet hours to myself let alone regular time to look after me. My partner takes the kids for a walk at weekends. He plays with them after tea and I have a bath and stuff. But I can hear them. They come up for a wee. They come upstairs to check on me if I'm laid down for abit. It's lovely but it never goes away.

I've written on here before and I am ok if people recognise me. But please respect my privacy and let me see what advice others can give me please?

How do you recover from stress that's making you ill?

I'm sorry to be the one to break this to you, but you have all the signs of clinical depression. This isn't a bit of "stress" (and stress doesn't exist as a medical diagnosis). You must see your GP and talk about this. It isn't going to go away if you find time to read a few books on the subject. All the things you've mentioned may help, in combination, but you need professional support to get the right package in place for you. Unfortunately, in many areas already poor levels of mental health services have all but disappeared over the last six months, so you may have to fight to get the right help - or if you can afford it then it may be a good idea to look at private support. But start with your GP.

how old are your kids OP?

I've discussed options with the gp. Neither option is any better than the other. He said it's short term and side effects with the meds. But I can't look after the kids if I'm taking meds with side effects.

I can't afford to go private.
Kids are almost 3 and 5.

kids will both be in school soon, and I can tell you that's a massive and positive stress reliever. Yes the school run has its own stresses, but you will have more time and freedom for yourself. Hang in there is all I can say! Get some more childcare if you are able.

I've suffered similar. I'm a LP with no support locally. What helped me was taking a holiday, a week away somewhere quiet that I didn't have to do housework / work every day. Take the pressure off yourself to be perfect. Try to get some extra time away from your kids if you can, regularly (childcare if you can afford it maybe?).

Your partner needs to do more than take them for the odd walk. Can he take them out for longer periods more regularly e.g. clubs/playcentres etc?

Hang in there, a year or so and it will be much easier.

Another thing - book some things for you to look forward to. If you've got nothing to look forwards to life seems stressful and drab. E.g a weekend break, a short course, new decor or something to brighten your room up - anything that makes you happy and puts your focus elsewhere for a bit.

OP can I ask if you got the help you needed? X