Clinically depressed and struggling

[Sarah J]

I was diagnosed many years ago and have been medicated for severe clinical depression and anxiety attacks.  Have been going ok for quite a while now even through losing my husband and raising six kids on my own.  It will be four years in September.  I moved interstate 10 months ago and all was good but just lately I have been feeling really down and not sleeping, but most importantly I find myself separating from my children.  I love them so much but can't seem to handle their needing me.  Don't get me wrong I plaster a smile on my face and do what needs to be done, but I'm feeling empty and false.  I know this will pass but right now I just need someone to know how I'm feeling.  I'm feeling desperately alone and lost.

[Neil_1]

Hi there Sarah

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for posting.

I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your husband – the grief that you have felt and no doubt are still feeling would be so hard to deal with and live with, and yet you’ve had to carry on for your beautiful children.

This must be exceptionally difficult for you and to move to another place as well.

Was the move because you were moving to where other family members or friends may be?    And if not, do you have any support people nearby who you might be able to call on?   Just to help from time to time?

I guess my other question would be, have you sought out any professional assistance, to help you get by over these last few years or so?  With your depression, have you sought out any medication to be on, to assist?

Just to finish off with, I couldn’t imagine how it would be to be operating and looking after your children, but you must be one incredibly strong lady and I have no doubt that those traits that you display in front of your children would be noticed and would be learned by them also.  You’ll be raising some very well loved, well looked after and incredibly strong children into this world.

I do hope you can write back.

Kind regards

Neil

[Doolhof]

Dear Sarah,

Hi and Welcome to the community here at Beyond Blue.

Neil has pretty well mentioned most of the things I was thinking. I am so very sorry to read of the death of your husband.

Like Neil mentioned, you musty be an amazing lady to be able to bring up your children and move house!

If you don't mind me asking, how old are your children? Do they all still live at home?

Are your children involved in any sporting or after school activities? If so, do you attend any of these?

The point I am getting at is do you have contact with the parents of your children's friends? Can you form friendships with them for a bit of support?

I can't begin to imagine how busy you must be with 6 children, but do you have time for yourself to do activities that you enjoy? Do you have any crafts or hobbies you like? Are there groups near by that you could join for some adult company and conversation?

Have you made contact with a Dr and mental health professionals in your area? Have you ever used the telephone help lines? I have and they are great. There is a number for Beyond Blue you can ring when ever. Someone there may be able to offer you some advice as well. The number is 1300 22 46 36

So many questions! Like Neil mentioned, it would be great to hear back from you and read how you are getting on.

Cheers for now from Lauren

[geoff]

dear Sarah, hi and welcome to the site.

I too am very sorry for the loss of your husband and the difficult job of raising 6 children.

As your children begin to mature their demands and requests become more frequent, and each of them all have different sports, maybe jobs or to visit a friend, so you could be drawn one corner of the world to the other, figuratively speaking.

So what happens is that you start to regret doing all of this and then become annoyed trying to fit all of this in, then trying to work, then cooking, cleaning and keeping the house clean, so what happens is that you become frustrated, so this then follows through to how you feel.

I hope to go now but will continue if you reply back . L Geoff. x