Advice

[Lalauna]

I have 2 children, over the past few months after becoming a single parent my life has changed a lot

I make sure my children are extremely well looked after and they are dressed immaculately for school etc. I make sure they eat good meals and are happy

however, I don’t care about myself anymore, I survive on coffee and eat their leftovers, I worry all the time if I’m doing enough for them and I’m awake at night wondering if I’m a good enough parent

I used to go to the gym alot and now can’t be bothered, I have started to shop in charity shops for clothes and even feel guilty about that. I can’t be bothered to even brush my hair. When they go to their dads I don’t want to do anything, I just have no motivation.

how can I be the polar opposite for how I look after my children compared to how I look after myself. What is wrong and how do I fix this

i already take medication for anxiety which is also an anti depressant. I used to take care of myself and put on make up etc and now I don’t care if I’m wearing a hoodie which has coffee on it for the school run

Please go and see your GP. You may need a different anti-depressant or different dosage.

I felt like this the other day - I ate nothing and lay on the sofa all day necause I didn't have any energy to even brush my teeth. But the toddler was clean, fed, and looked after. Motherly instinct can overcome depression temporarily, but it is temporary. You need to look after you as well.

Thankyou so much for replying. The medication I’m on has made me feel pretty numb emotionally, but yet I still feel strong emotions over the kids and worry if they are happy all the time. I think you are right it is maybe time for another phone call to the GP, do you have days like you mentioned often? I used to have the odd day like that but it’s been weeks now