Depressed mum

[Sara41]

I have three children under five and I'm so flat. I hate waking up in the morning and I'm exhausted with "faking it". I have been self medicating with alcohol. Help.

[Zeal]

Hi Sara,

Welcome to the forum!

Caring for three children under five while dealing with depression would be really rough. I'm sorry to hear that you're overwhelmed, and are struggling with alcohol misuse.

Have you been to see your doctor (GP) about the depression yet? Also, when did you first start experiencing the depressive symptoms? It's crucial that you see your doctor ASAP. You may get a referral to a mental health professional. I hope you have some emotional support from close family and/or friends.

This website has great info on depression, if you feel you need more knowledge of the symptoms and issues faced. Seeing your doctor is most important, but doing some independent reading is also useful.

I hope you can seek help soon!

Best wishes,

Zeal

[MarkJT]

Sara41, welcome to the forums and let me tell you that you are not alone in your journey.

What you need to do is get to the GP and discuss this.

You may be experiencing depression and it is absolutely treatable. Currently 1 in 5 woman in Australia experience depression along with 1 in males. Feeling flat is a symptom of depression.

Have you discussed this with anyone else?

With the self medication, obviously this is not a good thing and something you need to also discuss with the GP.

You deserve to be happy. You have so many wonderful memories to come with your kids so we need to get up and about again.

Do you think you would be able to get to the GP asap?

Again, a warm welcome to the forums. This is a very supportive and safe place so please feel free to post what you want and we will help you on your journey.

Mark.

[Murcho]

I self medicated with drugs and alcohol for a good few decades. I found no long term advantages there, though one or two types on anti depressants were of some help.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help deal with underlying issues and may be helpful.

Good luck!

[MarkJT]

Murcho, how are you going with this now?

Mark.

[Becstar]

Hi Sarah,

i have struggled in the past with depression and self medicating. I've also been feeling a bit "flat" myself the past few days. It's difficult and you feel so drained and it's hard to find motivation. I'm pregnant so I personally haven't been drinking alcohol but I have in the past and because alcohol is a depressant it really won't help & if you mix it with other medications it's a disaster.

Make an appointment with a doctor and make a treatment plan that works for you, if you need a prescription there's no shame in that or you might find therapies that don't include any drugs more beneficial? But you have options and your not alone xx stay positive

p.s. I'm allowing myself a few days to feel flat but it's only temporary