At a new low - feeling empty and hopeless

[tunafish]

I can feel my depression getting worse again and don’t know what to do. I’ve lost everything that once gave me joy. Hobbies, sex, people. I need to get out of my toxic family situation but can’t because I have to care for my mum who has cancer. She’s never supported my depression and just thinks i’m lazy, rude etc. Becus of COVID being stuck at home is driving me insane. I stopped taking my antidepressants because I just forgot, but they weren’t doing much anyway. I had to stop seeing my therapist and am struggling to get in contact with a new one, I have ADHD too which makes doing tasks very challenging at times. I’m 18 and graduated last year, but I don’t know if I can study any more, I feel like all I can manage is to sleep. I don’t even have passions anymore so don’t know what I want to do as a career. I feel like I have nothing in life and all I want to do is leave but I can’t. So here I am.

[geoff]

Hello Tunafish, I'm sorry for the position you are in and wonder whether you have someone else to look after your mum, or 2 people can claim carer's payments, it's just halved if you want to consider this.

Otherwise, if someone else can look after your mum then you can go back to your study and claim other payments, however, if your depression is becoming a problem once again, then you need help to try and sort this out.

Palliative care can look after your mum and with happening a relief will come over you, you can also contact Kids Helpline (5 to 25 years) on 1800 55 1800 by phone, web chat or online, but hope you don't keep telling us what's happening because we also want to help you.

Take care.

Geoff.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

I see Geoff has replied with great information and ideas.

I think at the young age of 18 you are expecting too much of yourself and your mums denial of mental health leaves you more alone than ever. Very sad really.

I would contact the local council and ask them about respite. We had my mother in law here for 8 months last years prior to her passing on, we had her in respite for 10 weeks in aged care which was such a relief. Home help and the NDIS National disability insurance scheme are things that you have at your disposal now. Releasing yourself from full time care might propel you to a newfound feeling and energy could return.

If your energy doesnt return then again dont be so hard on yourself because depression isnt something that motivation can help with, you need to wait until your depression decreases and only then will your mind feel like it can be motivated. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss all of this would be the best thing you can do. Take a list of the things I've suggested and Geoff has mentioned with you and have a good chat.

TonyWK

[Dani70]

Tuna fish,there is way too much going on for you right now! You need to break your issues into parts and then do one thing for each part that is helpful for you. Going off mess and changing councillors has a negative impact on your body and mind. Maybe address these first. You should be very proud of yourself helping your Mum, even if she doesn't show it or say it, deep down she would be grateful. Take care and just take hour by hour. Deep breathing always helps me...