Any advice?

Question

I'm feeling very mixed up at the moment - hard to think clearly, dwelling on the past, not sleeping well, crying a lot, poor appetite, irrational feelings - I could go on, it appears my list is endless!

I am going to my GP next week and am desperate to feel better. However I am apprehensive about taking anti-depressants.

Any advice is much appreciated? Feel like I need to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through. If anyone knows an excellent natural remedy to help me relax & sleep better, I'd love to know about it! Even just that would be a good start.

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's left a message so far. I appreciate all the kind words etc.

I do really want to help myself, and get my head sorted. xx

Answer 1

i also was feeling like this about a year ago. i have had depression on and off for years,but got really bad last year. i went to my doctor and at first i asked to speak to a councellor cos didnt want to take any pills and it really really helped. there will be something deep inside making you feel the way you are and it is so good to spill your heart out to someone you dont know and who wont judge you. my problem was i would turn to drink because i thought that helped but it is actually a depressant in itself.so i stopped drinking all together and went to see my councellor every week and got to the root of my problems. i know you wont feel like it just now but if you can,join a gym.i did and felt great after every time i went. i decided enough was enough and i had to do something about it. i also got myself a job and now i feel the best i have in years!!!! so i would advise you not to get antidepressants and just to have a long hard look at your life and turn it around into something positive and also if you want,try st.johns wort tablets(natures prozac) and i wish you all the best, you can do it and remember,you only have one life so try and make the most of what youve got.xx

Answer 2

When i lost my partner two and a half years ago i too went through all the same symptoms you discribe. The best remedy i found was to get as much sleep as possible (day or night). My appetite was poor also, some days going all day without eating but i tried my best to eat as much fruit as i could and drink lots of juice and water. Sometimes i just wanted to be alone but when the crying or irrational feelings got so bad i would jump in the car and visit my closest friends or relatives, who were more than happy to just let me sit there without speaking if i didnt feel like it.

Of course night times are the worse when you are alone, but if you really cant sleep get up and make a cuppa or read a book or do what i did and still do, put a cd on low and set the timer for it to go off when you are asleep. Oh and leave a lamp on in the bedroom or in the bathroom/landing.

Its important you let your closest freind or relative know the way you are feeling because they will think you are ok if you dont mention it!

I dont know your circumstances or what may have caused these feelings but i think you are doing the right thing by going to talk to your GP. He/she should be able to advice you better. But dont let them fob you off with anti-depressants. They are not the answer to everything. I hope things get better for you soon, they did for me although i still have my off days! Wishing you all the best and if you feel you need to talk you can always send me an email day or night! Good luck.

Answer 3

First thing todo is see G.P.and explain how you feel write a list so you dont forget anything.Ask for referralto C.P.n as you can see one of them almost immediately whereas you would have a massive wait to see a counsellor or psychologist.A night wait until you are really sleepy before you pit light out,if you cant sleep get up and have a cuppa then start again,do not lie and ruminate this only makes the problem worse.You could also buy a cd or tape with relaxation exercises these are very useful for assisting with sleep.
Is your sleep mainly affected when you go to bed?if so then it would appear to be anxiety related as opposed to depression the sleep disturbances are very different .G.P may prescribe anti anxiolytic which seemto be anti depressants but ask what he wants you to take them for

Answer 4

I can't give you any home remedies to help you sleep or relax, I have the same problems, one thing that makes me sleep really well though, is having a nice hot bath with bubble bath and just laying there for like an hour, then by the time I go to bed, I'm all tired and just fall asleep when my head hits the pillow.

In regards to how you're feeling, I really think you should talk to someone, maybe a close friend or a member of your family, anyone you feel comfortable sharing it with, I'm sure they'll be able to help you though it. Like they say, a problem shared is a problem halved, and we all need help at one point in our lives.

Answer 5

Here's my tip: Don't let people make it seem lik you have a serious problem. Why? Because you don't. A lot of people go through things like what you're going through, so of course doctors will want to tell you something's wrong so that you give them money for something that's not even going to work. Just confront your feelings, be open and talk with a friend - they can help you a lot more than you think they can. Just relax, and focus on what's GOOD right now, not what's BAD.

Answer 6

the GP can send you to a psychiatrist although this might be intimidating they will listen to you which is something that you need people to do.
as for anti-depressants they have a bad press and can actually help in the short term your GP will also explain this to you but you need to question what it is he might put you on.
As for natural remedy there is chamomile tea which on its own can taste horrible but you can get different flavours and you can sweeten it with honey,
Also some of the people that i support also drink horlicks before they go to bed, these two can help with getting to sleep
Most importantly is being able to talk about your feelings, thats the the key, if there is anyone you know who will listen without being judgemental about your feelings then this will be a step in the right direction,
also remember that everyone has different experiences with doctors and medicines you just have to find something that you are comfortable with
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Seeing a psychiatrist is not an excellent idea. You are unlikely to receive proper treatment in the UK. The thing to remember is, believe it or not, the words (and I paraphrase) of Abraham Lincoln. "We all feel in darkness now and then but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and just knowing that will make you feel better now." You are a wonderful person. Don't forget that or let anyone take it away from you.

Answer 8

Camomile tea is a good relaxing tea. Walking a lot sometimes has helped me to get tired enough to be able to sleep.

Regularity of eating and sleeping is important. Keeping contact with people you know has a good effect.

Do not reject the irrational feelings, because feelings can never be rejected, only felt.

Make a special effort to eat tasty non-junk food.

Keep yourself looking neat and tidy.

Do the normal everyday things - that will help you to weather the storm.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Try taking a magnesium supplement. It is an essential mineral, the lack of which leads to the symptoms you describe.
Taking it almost instantly (two minutes quick enough?) calms you down and helps you face the day.
The best form is magnesium ascorbate, but almost all the others are good.
You can get it online or from Holland and Barrets etc.
Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Drugs rarely help. Why can't you deal with the past? Maybe some wrong thinking about something? If I had more info, maybe i could offer more help.
Stay around people who like you. Keeep busy. Booze ia not a good compaanion for depression.
email me if you just want a friendly ear-I'm in the usa.