Single mum who feels like ending it all

I have suffered with chronic depression for years now and have tried many medications.  I started on sertraline three weeks ago however I feel worse than ever.  My body feels like lead, my head stuffed with cotton wool and I feel totally numb and unable to feel the smallest pleasure in anything, all I want to do is sleep. I am desperately struggling on my own with two boys age 9 and 10 and I am completely isolated with no family at all, my boys father went missing over two years ago and I have no idea if he is dead or alive. I have been seeing a therapist and most weeks I am lucky if she gives me 20 minutes of the hour I am allocated, I was desperate when I saw her today and I told her I felt like going home and swallowing a bottle of pills and she replied that I am too low to engage in any therapy and to come back in a couple of weeks when the sertraline might have lifted my mood a little. I find that totally unacceptable, for weeks she has been telling me I simply need to engage in more physical activities to raise my motivation and that is literally the ONLY advice she has, she hasn't even asked me anything about my life and I have never received any counselling after the death of my baby boy in 2005. Should the sertraline have started to at least make a small difference after three weeks, and is it possible to feel worse in the first weeks of taking it? I have so much responsibility with my boys having no family and I don't know where to turn anymore I can't eat anything at all and I have lost frightening amounts of weight and even my hair has started falling out. Feeling utterly hopeless........

Sharon

Hi there really sorry to hear that ur life has been so stressful. Yes the sertraline will take a few wks to kick in and sumtimes it can make u feel worst before u feel better. What about asking for help like respite from social work my mums a foster carer and helps out lots of mums needing help dont doubt urself x

Hi sharon sorry to hear you feeling so helpless please remember.you have your children to live for.! When i felt like.it wasnt worth going on my sister who has had mental health problems her self talked to me at length  and told me i would be missed by her she had never said this before and said i should when i feel so low i should remember that i have a wife and family who would miss me ! Ive had depression for as long as i can remember unfortunately 2 years ago i had a brain bleed which made it worse i at times i feel like crap as my short term memorys bad ! Sharon could you please tell me if your in scotland or england ! That way i can point you in the best direction to help you david

Good advice nicola she could also try samaritans to help her deal with her immediate feeling of helplessness !

Hi Sharon, just saw your post as all the posts from this group go into my inbox. Sorry to hear you are feeling low, have you been to the gp and asked to change your therapist? It sounds as if you don't gel with her. I have trouble talking to anybody really but someone mentioned the other day about 'grief counselling'. Maybe you could approach that with your dr. Do you have anybody you can trust to look after the boys to give you some respite every now and then? I see you said you don't have family but how about care workers or social workers? Surely they would be able to give you advice? All anti - depression drugs have side effects it's possible that the sertraline is not maybe the right drug for you. Somebody from here told me i should talk to my gp for what i suffer with and the meds, i'm glad i did even though i felt like just wanting to remain closed up. So i can only pass on that positively, you need a discussion with your gp. Try and eat something even if it's just soup otherwise you'll have no energy at all. Did you file a missing persons report with the police for your partner? Nick.

hi, so sorry you feel so down, Im a single mum of 5 and have had those thoughts a couple of times but i have to carry on for their sake, the tablets can take a few weeks to have a positive effect and often do make you feel worse before you feel better, try to stick with them for a couple more weeks at least, then if you still feel they aren't helping then maybe go back to your gp and explain this and they should change them to another type which could be more beneficial to you, I tried a few different anti d's before settling with the mirtazapine that I'm on now. Your counsellor doesn't sound very helpful at all, maybe you could try to find someone different? 

It's so hard being a single parent especially on top of the things you've had to deal with but try to have hope that things will get better x 

Wishing you well 

Donna xx

Hello, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling worse rather than better at the moment. Unfortunately I cannot offer you advice on the medication as mine is slightly different but with the exact same symptoms as yourself. Along with understanding how you are feeling. I too am a mum of 2 children. Back in March this year I did exactly that tried to end it all. Went through hell for 1 month whereby could not see my children, didn't even know who I was or had children. Since then am still struggling  on new meds now, not sure if helping. Review next week. Having CBT again not sure if helping. All I am being told is that the severe depression I have and what I am going through takes time and I should not fight it. Doesn't help but have no choice. Guess what I am trying to say is you are not on your own. With this illness it appears just to be time or so I keep on being told. Take care x

I am so sorry to hear your plight.

The counsellor should have contacted your GP.

In my opinion she should be sacked!!!

That is no way to treat anyone.

Can you confide in your Dr it may be he needs to change your meds.

Please do not give up, the forum will support you.

Are you in the UK?

There is an organisation called Borderline they are very good counsellors..

Keep in touch, big hugs and love, Linda xxx

You are so not alone... When my children were young my husband walked out on me. I Was 8 months pregnant with my third child and felt totally alone. When I Was giving birth I did so alone.

When Christmas came along everyone seemed to have everything and looked so happy and I felt like I had Let my kids and family down because I wasnt copeing  and my husband had a new Updated version of me.....a decade younger and a flashy car and career.

One night after struggling with post natal Depression, money worries and feeling like I wouldnt be missed I planned  It all out.

The one thing I hadnt accounted for Was my 4 year old Son walking up crying.

I walked into His room and He pulled me down to His Level and hugged me.

He feel asleep and I climbed In with him and  sobbed like never before.

That Was Christmas 1988 and while I wouldnt say its been plain sailing since. I suffered a Still birth and recieved No counselling and for the second time my husband left us This time I sought help...I Was terrified Social Services would take my kids but they were understanding and offered me a listening ear them and my local Samaritans pulled me through.

Your not alone you can Come out the other side of It. Just dont expect yourself to be Mother Earth No such woman 

Just accept your having  a bad time and not feeling great Right now and We all have days like that. Be kind to yourself and take things one day at a time.

My kids are all grown happy and healthy and are ages 20 and Over and I have my own Business.

You are so worth a happy Life and things Will improve.

You Just need a listening ear sweetheart

Linda ive read your reply and it was extremely.good  not only did you ask the right questions  but you showed you cared. Take care david  xx

Hi Sharon 

I felt dreadful when I started taking my tablets it wasn't until 4-6 weeks I started to feel the full effects. I think the 'help' you've received is awful it sounds as though this woman has no care or compassion. Maybe it is best to request a different therapist? Keep strong remember you have two lovely boys who love and depend on you it's the people not in your life missing out you are stronger than you know be patient and although it is hard try to carry on and think of the positives . Sending love x

Thank you everyone for your advice, it actually feels really weird connecting with other people who understand, I have been so isolated. I have a a little history with social services and they treated me appallingly, I felt like I was put in the stocks and pelted for being a bad mother, they never offered me any respite just forced me into parenting courses and told me to lighten up or lose my children - I really am not exaggerating. I had to pretend I was cured of my depression to get rid of them.  To David, I live in Staffordshire, England and a signpost to resources would be good, I joined the organisation Changes however being the only female in the group was a little uncomfortable, I don't mind talking to men at all but being the ONLY female was a little awkward. I know how you feel Donna about carrying on for the sake of your kids, I wouldn't be here otherwise but the responsibility is overwhelming at times isn't it? I asked my gp about another therapist but resources are slim to none in the nhs at the moment, I waited 8 months to see this one and I really am nothing to her but a name on a file, the last time I saw her she told me she was feeling ill and was going to head home straight after seeing me, not an insightful thing to say to someone who has used their last scrap of willpower to attend - I felt like a burden. She has obviously been in the business too long and has disassociated from her patients as she has zero empathy and interest, she told me to go to my local library and find a social group I could join, when I told her I could not do this she got annoyed and said she could'nt help me if I wouldn't co-operate. Actually, all of your responses has given me a feeling I am not used to.......a tiny bit of positivity? 

 xx

God yes! It's so hard and I often put myself down as a parent but at the end of each day I know I've done the best I can, and they're beautiful happy children and I wouldn't know what I'd do without them let alone what they Would do without me, I feel like a failure at times but deep down I know I try my best and they All need and love me. 

I too have had a bad experience with social services, although I didn't ask for the help, they were only in my life due to my ex (their dad) beating me up whilst the children were in the house, and they were awful to me, made me feel even more inadequit, I was glad when they finally closed my case, i feel now that I can't ask them for help and also feel I need to limit the things I disclose to my doctor and counsellor in fear of them getting involved again.

There are always people on this site that can help or at least sympathise, and you're right it is a comfort to know you're not alone in how you feel.

Every parent struggles, let alone a single parent and with having other things/horrible things to have to deal with too, so try not to put yourself down, no one wrote a book on it right? Nobody's the same, everyone handles things differently but we try our best right? So that's something to be proud of! 

I'm glad you found a little comfort in speaking out

Wishing you all the best xxx

Donna x

A little shocked by Mental Health Counsellor, while she right the sertraline needs time, if  you had called your local crisis team or gone to A & E she might have has a bit of a problem and here actions would be investigated.

I lost my wife because of my depression, and with that I now miss my kids loads, 

And I have had my ups and downs. There are plenty of people on here that will support you and dont want you to do anything silly. Give the sertaline some time and keep us all posted on how each day is going and we will all help you thru.

I have had so much support and help from people on here and I never get to meet them but I would call some of them really friends and people that care.

Dont forget to keep in touch and we can all help you thru....xxxx

Hi I feel so much for you. It must be very hard especially as a single parent.  I am full of admiration for how you cope.   I can't add anything to what has been said except stay with us here coz we all understand depression.   Even though it is only online you are not alone any more. 

This is a good site and you will get all the support and help we can give you.  Isn't it amazing to find others to talk to?   So use us please.   Take care love.  x

Hi Sharon,

My friend started Sertreline and she was really really tired and snappy every time the dose was upped (gradually increased) but after 3 weeks or so each time her body got used to that level and she was more normal.  Hasn't got back to the happiness or energy level of before symptoms,  but is definitely an improvement. So I would give it a few weeks at least. 

Whenever you feel really low try and think of positives about your day,  eg nice lunch will have or time spent with the kids, fresh air,  blue sky,  friendship.  

It will get better xx

Dear Sharon:  

Make no mistake girl, you have the fight in you so keep on fighting and hang in there!  With proper treatment, you will be better.

I'm all too familiar with the type of therapy you write about.  You should be very proud of yourself given you are a single parent of two young children without any family support or assistance - it's a tough job and loaded with responsibility as you know.

I'd like to begin by saying I work in the health care industry and am an Med. Exercise Specialist and worked with drug information for 7 years.  Unfortunately it appears the therapist isn't recognizing that although exercise is therapeutic and possibly the best medicine per se, (I prescribe it for a living after all) when feeling the way you describe, getting out of bed is exercise!

I'm not trying to put anyone down here but hey, it is what it is - you're not always going to find a good therapist/psychiatrist that will really listen to what you are saying and in turn do everything they can to meet your specific needs. Of course the long term issues will take time but you MUST take care of the immediate concerns before all else. 

It doesn't sound ethical to me to say the least that this therapist practically pushed you out the door when you admitted to having suicidal thoughts - after all, it could have been a desperate a cry for help or, a very real possibility). We won't waste our precious time on that right now because if it can't help you, you need to find someone that can.

Sharon, if you feel the way you describe, (taking the meds for several weeks already) losing your hair, not eating then obviously this medication is not for you! Even worse is that you've more than likely spent the last three 3 weeks  praying that it will get better, only to see you're not.  It also sounds like you are in worse condition the prior to being medicated so it makes sense that you would be feeling more hopeless than ever.  But hang in there, because the only problem you are experiencing right now is a good medical team to assist you with the plan that will address your immediate concerns followed by a long term plan.

My suggestion would be to go to hospital emergency and explain your situation as you have here, be very honest (the squeeky wheel gets the grease) let the physician know that your symptoms are worse and that additionally you are now experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Sharon, I must warn you - I am not familiar with the laws in the UK but I'm wondering if they are required to hold you for 72 hour period as they do in some countries and if so, the last thing you need is to be worried sick about your children.  But there is always an answer so don't lose hope.

From experience, many physician's will stop the medication given your ;present circumstances. Generally, when a person is feeling the way you describe, the medication is stopped and there may be a waiting period prior to introducing another one.  Now, the frustration becomes that horrendous waiting period in hopes that this one will do the job - in some cases it doesn't, and you have to keep trying until you find it but usually a qualified physician/psychiatrist will be able to nip it in the bud sooner rather than later.

It has been my experience that if patient's had almost identical syptoms such as yours, some physician's would prescribe drug in the diazepam family to assist with that "jumping out of your skin" feeling or the panic and anxiety.  Now I'm not suggesting it's the answer and I personally would not continue on these type of meds for a long duration as they can become addictive.  It usually will help in between and leading up to the period where the anti depressant has started to take affect.  

If you are not fsmiliar with these types of meds,  Diazepam is an oral medication that is used to treat anxiety. It belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs.  It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders .So please speak to a qualified physican and inquire as to whether this is even an option for you.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your baby, that is so very tragic. I have also had a similar experience only my sister lost her little boy at three months old and the pain for me was very deep.  With having witnessed what my sister and brother in law went through during that period especially, I can only imagine what you went through and the impact it has had on your life since then.

Although my sister wasn't keen on therapy initially, she eventually did receive proper treatment and although the loss of a child will never make you the person you once were, treatment can certainly hand you the necessary tools cope with the such a terrible loss - which sadly, you have not.

There are so many available treatment plans today and rest assured, with a good medical team, you will find the answer to what works best for you. And please although at this moment you feel hopeless and desperate, try to keep telling yourself that there is help available and you can get better.

Anyone who will say "oh you have your kids to live for, you're being selfish..." which is often experienced in this situation, has not suffered from this dibilitating illness and can't comprehend that it's not something one can simply "shake off".  

With the multitude of social media outlets today, I would hope that there would be a much better understanding about depression minus all the myths that go with it - unfortunately, it appears that we all have a long way to go and we all need to to our share to educate the people who may not know any better.

Sharon, depression can certainly make us get to a very weak place but again, remind yourself that even through this battle, you must continue to manage your life and your childrens so PLEASE get the help you need and know that with the proper treatement you will be okay.

I really hope this has helped you and if I could be of help to you please ask and I will do my best to answer your question(s). 

Keep the faith and sending big hugs your way.

H.

Sharon, please listen to the wonderful support, lots of replies so far, so many lovely people reaching out to you. On bad days you can always rely on this forum. You have had a great deal to cope with, and my admiration for you is huge. You are stronger than you think, and my heart and luv go out to you. xxxx

 

In answer to the question about holding you 72 hours, the do this as a last resort if they cant talk you down so to speak. What they will do is arrange the next level up from counselling and your GP. And check to see if they can help you.

Sharon,

Really hope you are have an much improved day today. Why let us know how your getting on ? We all would love to know your alright

James