Feeling like life shouldn't be this hard...

[Aussie.Girl]

I guess I just need somewhere to vent, but if anyone has some advice I would be grateful.

I feel like I should be able to take care of myself better and actually be able to  manage the things I need to do, but it just never seems to work out that way. 

I'm perpetually tired and stressed and would rather just stay home and do "nothing" than pretty much anything I should be doing. 

I always feel like I work so hard and get nothing done.

I try and try and try to do well at work and tick things off my to do list but never seen to make any progress.

Although at the same time if I had 6mths with no responsibilities I think I would just curl up into a ball and hide, and then want more time off after that. 

I know that doesn't make much sense. Basically I feel overwhelmed but I don't think I should be because all I'm really doing is working (4 days a week) and then recovering from work...

Is this a symptom of depression?

I have always had anxiety, and have been diagnosed with OCD. Personally I think I have also had depression in some aspect since high school (I'm in my mid 20s now), but I haven't been officially diagnosed. 

Idk what the point of this post is. Maybe if someone has experienced something similar and has some tips that would help?

Thank you to anyone that read this far

[Flop]

Hi Aussie.Girl

I relate with almost everything you're feeling. You aren't alone and just wanted you to know you're heard.

Even doing nothing is dreadful, since you feel like you should be making the most of your free time but find yourself doing nothing at all since that's how your body's feeling. There's never that relaxing period, just that something's always not quite right.

It sounds to me you're suffering from anxiety and depression, as they almost always intertwine. I'm no doctor tho.

I can't offer any good advice since I'm struggling with almost the same apart from work, and when you say if you had 6 months off and you'd just end up curling in a ball and not wanting to go back, I can attest to that.

Am currently seeing a psychologist monthly to try and get myself in order, if you aren't, maybe that'd be a good place to start? If not a visit to the GP if you aren't on any prescription medication atm as you could have a chemical imbalance.

Proud of you for doing what you do. I hope you feel better

[Mark Z.]

Hi Aussie.girl,

I'm very sorry for your challenge, I can tell it's frustrating.

It could be a symptom of depression, as you've been losing the motivation of doing anything. However it could also be other mental health issue. Remember, psychological problems cannot be self-diagnosed based on symptoms, we need to go through a professional assessment process. You can talk about your symptoms and concerns with your psychologist, if you still have access to them, alternatively start from your GP for a referral.

I believe that professional diagnosis and treatment will bring you to the right track. Hope everything will be better.

Mark

[Fairmaiden64]

Hello there. Yes, I am the older version of you++++

I can relate to every single thing you have said and I know youre thinking that noone is really going to understand because everybody else looks so together. I'm sure all is never as it seems however. Looking back, I can remember doing OCD things when I was four years old. And the depression and anxiety from around 13 years old. But I didn't know what it was and I probably thought everyone felt like this. So I wasn't diagnosed until 40 years later. I remember my second grade school report saying that I "had a lot of trouble socially". I can relate to that now. I spent most of my school years in the library or by myself due to social phobia that I never knew about. I hope you can afford to see your doctor and receive the help you need. Please please make it a priority.

[Elephant86]

Good morning

How are you feeling

I think there are many things you can do to get out of the house there are sporting clubs or social clubs. I have a stationary bike that I do everyday as one example. You can jion an art class or a cooking class . The trick is not to be in bed try to come up up with things to do reading is wonderful because it takes you on adventures in your mind. It is important to be social jion netball my sister plays soccer every week build a social network . Maybe pick a recipe to cook and cook at home. My fav is masterchef and dog house Australia. Going fo a walk every day with a friend or your dog i call my dog my bubbe. Have a pet is a wonderful idea for love and compassion they take great care of you.

I beleive that having hope and a candle that guides you out of the darkness will guide you . Never give up and never allow it to take control. Remember say I am beautiful I am powerful I am unique

There are many social things you can do it just to check in your local community of what activities you can do. Some good book recommendation is Agatha christie books. Remain positve and strong and remember we care and want you to stay positive.

Remember you are more powerful then you know you have to find the power within yourself

[delusion]

Hi There,
Hope you're doing okay. I relate to what you have written.
I struggled with bouts of anxiety and depression throughout my childhood and in my teens.
I too used to feel that same 'overwhelm' and would always feel 'burnt-out' especially after a day at work.

I do wonder whether adhd may be relevant to you.. I personally got diagnosed with ADHD in my early 20s and noticed that my depression was purely a cause of that, I then discovered that my ocd was a form of coping with my anxiety. I am now in my late 20s and for the past few years have felt as if i was looking at the world through a clear lens. here is a link to a youtube video 'adhd in girls'  https://youtu.be/dmeE3qTJRUw

I do take medication now including anti-anxiety medication on top of adhd meds; which has made a world of difference. I no longer feel so over-whelmed and exhausted. I am able to get on with my day and not feel so burnt-out. Medication may not be for you, and that's okay, for there is many other aspects in life that may be causing you to feel this way and/or other ways of learning to cope and deal with these problems.....

That being said, exercising and keeping up with essential vitamins (such as vit B- which helps with depression or iron- which can help with many things) are vital to any mental health issues and its very likely that something quite simple may be playing a big part in feeling this way. for example, iron deficiency causes a lot of problems especially for women.

Although adhd may not be relevant to you, it is definitely worth looking into other mental health conditions that may be causing these feelings other than depression. It is worth it to seek a professional opinion but be mindful that only you, really know you and sometimes professionals get it wrong; in my case i got diagnosed with depression and anxiety for years before understanding that nothing would help until I got help for my adhd.

Another important aspect to consider is 'self-care'. here is a link to a page that I tend to come back to from time-to-time when I'm having off-days...
https://depts.washington.edu/fammed/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Katers-selfcare_printable.pdf

I wish you the best on your journey for self-discovery and that you get the best help/advice relevant to you and your situation.