Unfortunately I can't just see a gp at my surgery you have to have a phone call first as too many appointments were being wasted and missed
Finally going to the doctors for a proper appointment tomorrow morning
Going to the doctors is probably best, I put it off and ended up in hospital because I couldn't cope. On medication now and feeling a lot better. Just be honest about how you feel and don't sugar coat it.
Glad you're feeling better and I won't be sugar coating it. It got so bad I burst into tears at work today turns out ny two managers have noticed and discussed hoe I haven't been myself lately so i didn't realise it's so bad others are noticing a total change in behaviour/moods
Good luck today!
Good luck at your appointment!
Thanks guys. In an unfortunate yet lucky way when I rang the surgery yesterday for an appointment it was the receptionist who knows me (had to explain felt a little bit embarrassed) but he managed to skip the whole phone call section that we normally need to do to get an actual appointment. Got me in for today and even offered a stamped appointment card to make sure work would let me out. He was like ok the doctor I've put you down for is new but she's lovely so you can tell her sensitive stuff if you need to. Will update later as to what's happened with my appointment thanks for the luck and love
Doctor was lovely unfortunately I still cried I currently have low mood which may be depression i have a questionnaire to fill out and take in with me in two weeks time.
Got a self help guide for the meantime but I don't see how those things are going to work. Like writing down all the stuff I'm going to do... So nearly every box would be filled with the word work or tv not that I get to watch much.
So yeah low mood possible depression.
Kirsty92 wrote:
Doctor was lovely unfortunately I still cried I currently have low mood which may be depression i have a questionnaire to fill out and take in with me in two weeks time.
Got a self help guide for the meantime but I don't see how those things are going to work. Like writing down all the stuff I'm going to do... So nearly every box would be filled with the word work or tv not that I get to watch much.
So yeah low mood possible depression.
Know you probably dont feel good about it but youve taken a great first step to hopefully getting some help. Things work very slowly unfortunately but at least it sounds like you are getting somewhere now and not just being told to come back in a month.
Yes this is very true. It'll take time but it's a step closer to not feeling like this anymore just feel down and heavy in myself all the time
Glad your appointment went well-ish Kirsty. Don't be afraid to cry at the doctors, yeah it may be embarrassing, but that's the whole reason you're there, because you're feeling very down.
Did she say anything about referring you for IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Treatment) therapies in 2 weeks time if you still have low mood? What about meds? Are you on any already, or did GP discuss the option of trying some?
sorry to bombard you with these questions, you perhaps don't need that right now, but it helps with your recovery if you feel like you have choices and options for your treatment.
In terms of the self help, things like getting out for a short walk in daylight can help a little. Even if you don't feel like it at the time, it is good to get out of the four walls and get the blood flowing. Or do something creative to take your mind off your problems and feel like you're achieving something, even if it's baking a cake, or drawing a picture, knitting, making a memories scrap book.
Interaction with people is important too...it's tempting to withdraw and hide yourself away, but that just makes the depression worse. When you do spend time with others though, make sure you only spend time with those that are understanding and are positive. And when you need time to yourself, don't feel bad for excusing yourself. No one who cares about you will mind if you find a lot of interaction a bit too much right now. Just look after yourself, hun xxx
Thank you, I haven't been told about that but have been told there may be counciling but medication is a last resort they don't think I need it yet apparently try don't like giving it if they think you'll be ok without it as its so hard to come off apparently.
You're right about withdrawing I don't want to talk to anyone atm mostly because all i do is cry.
Crying is fine though hun, really it is. It may not feel like it, but it is a form of release. If you've got a lot of sadness and despondency it needs to come out somehow.
It's better than the feeling of complete numbness and emptiness that can happen in severe depression. And with the meds, it's understandable that they don't want to dole them out too readily...in a way, perhaps my doctor gave me them too easily, and I have been on it since 2008, with an attempt at coming off them in 2013, only to have a relapse.
i think the main thing is to work out if there is a cause for your low mood, which if I remember correctly, in your case, there's a lot of stuff going on for you with family members etc that would cause you to worry and feel stressed. Stress is a helpful response in some situations, when it's very mild and does not persist too long. When it becomes more chronic and extreme, it becomes very debilitating, and suddenly you feel like the smallest thing is a disaster. That is when you find it hard to cope, and the distress starts. So you need to get back to basics, and just focus on the essentials for survival, and gradually add things back that make you yourself, like hobbies and socialising.
I hope I'm not contradicting what I said earlier, about not withdrawing and stuff, but when you're already feeling overstretched you need things to be very low-key for a while until you start feeling more like yourself again.
Proud of you for getting those tears out!! Depression isn't an easy thing to cope with, but you've made a giant step in getting the help you obviously need.
You do have a lot on your plate, and it sounds like you're drowing in it some what! Pills aren't always an answer, it's what lies underneath. It's finding a positive way though to cope in the mind when things build up, and they sound like they've been building up for a good while. Thank you for sharing, a few of us are doing that these past few days, myself included. It's good to share, it's even better when we're listened to and not just heard!! Big difference, sending a hug :)
Thank you so much everyone it's helping me cope to talk about it on here and get unbiased advice.
Work are being really good I wasn't signed off but they've said I can take time off and will support me anyway they can.
Got a self help email I need to go through properly and see what I can do to help. It's horrible feeling like this I hate crying as it is but its all I seem to do and I feel proper heavy pretty much all over mind and body. I can't concentrate and my thoughts won't shut down. I can fall asleep easily but it's staying asleep that's the problem. I had a wanting to be left entirely alone kinda day today but I guess that's not possible but it's also good that I can't be alone as much as I'd like because it won't help to be completely alone 24-7
Hey just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and I hope things get better for you, I've had depression and anxiety since my early teens. Everyday is a battle but an action plan would help, things like counselling, psychology help, medication etc it takes time you won't notice a difference over night but stick with it. If you have support from someone then take it but personally my comfort blanket is being on my own rather than tell everyone what I'm feeling because even now it's tough to understand why, how etc there may never be answers or a cure but management is key. Take care and you're really brave to come online and share your situation, be very proud of yourself. X
Kirsty92 wrote:
Thank you so much everyone it's helping me cope to talk about it on here and get unbiased advice.
Work are being really good I wasn't signed off but they've said I can take time off and will support me anyway they can.
Got a self help email I need to go through properly and see what I can do to help. It's horrible feeling like this I hate crying as it is but its all I seem to do and I feel proper heavy pretty much all over mind and body. I can't concentrate and my thoughts won't shut down. I can fall asleep easily but it's staying asleep that's the problem. I had a wanting to be left entirely alone kinda day today but I guess that's not possible but it's also good that I can't be alone as much as I'd like because it won't help to be completely alone 24-7
Hey you, so glad work are on board with you, same here! I know that heavy feeling, it can weigh you down!
Have you tried sticking some tunes on in bed before you snuggle down, whack in the ear buds and just chill? I do it often because I suffer badly from insomnia. It zones me out!
No! being totally alone is not a good thing, and it's great you recognize that. Take care and know that we're all here x
For a long time, I struggled through a lot of situations that were making my life difficult. When I was nineteen, I finally decided to go to the doctor and see if she had any ideas that could help me - she gave me a little test to take, and it came back with the result that I did, indeed, have very serious depression. I found that this was actually good news for me though, because it led to me taking steps that changed my life for the much, much better. I was on the antidepressant medication for about two years when I realized that I no longer needed it, and after talking to my doctor again, I got off the medication. I haven't had a major depressive episode in over two years, and it has really changed my life to be able to talk about it with my family and friends - sometimes you just need somebody to listen to you!
Just remember to take good care of yourself as often as you can - the only road to feeling better every day is to remember to appreciate the beautiful little things life has to offer you, and to give yourself a chance to feel whatever it is you need to feel. There's no easy answer, and there are many ways to get there, just put yourself first and don't sacrifice your health or wellbeing.
You can do this!
Many thanks and lately I'm just finding it hard to do things I normally enjoy so even listening to music doesn't have the same effect.
Yeah work are being good unfortunately I'm finding it hard to make even the simplest of decisions like should I take the day off work? It's so frustrating.
I know it's going to take a while unfortunately but the each step is a step closer to not feeling like this anymore
Kirsty92 wrote:
Many thanks and lately I'm just finding it hard to do things I normally enjoy so even listening to music doesn't have the same effect.
Yeah work are being good unfortunately I'm finding it hard to make even the simplest of decisions like should I take the day off work? It's so frustrating.I know it's going to take a while unfortunately but the each step is a step closer to not feeling like this anymore
Exactly! And that's sometimes all you can do - take the little steps that lead to the big results. You'll make it through this. You can message me any time if you need support or someone who will listen. You're not alone in this fight, and we believe in you.