Am I depressed?

Question

I have 2 kids (ages 4 and 7) and am not working (currently looking), I used to be this active happy go lucky mom and lately I don't even want to hear or see my kids, I'm so upset that its taking me forever to get a job after so many "great" interviews, but worse my kids are CONSTANTLY calling me and needing something that I always feel like i want to fall asleep until morning. I wake up early, am a slave to my children while my husband works, i'm bored, looking for a job almost everyday and I don't see the silver lining.....my kids notice the change b/c normally they see me doing arts and crafts w/them or reading and now i swear I just want to drop them off at my moms house for 2 days straight!!! that's impossible unfortunatelty.

Answer 1

If you have to ask you may already know you are!!!! The first thing you should do is talk to your husband perhaps the two of you communicating and supporting one another is what you need to feel better and less stressed. If you have done this and you still feel the same, or feel that your husband is just not "getting it" then, please talk to a Counselor, things can get worse. Don't go for the Antidepressant just because it is prescribed. Talk to a counselor first. You may find stable ground without meds, if not, your counselor will connect you with a good Doctor. Too many people take antidepressants without talking with a counselor, Psychiatrist, or Psychologist. Antidepressants are not miracle workers they do not take away the problem, they work in conjunction (if necessary) with the client to help them make a healthy transition from depression to contentment and happiness. I have a feeling getting a job will not suddenly make you feel better either. Why not get out of the house, just you, once a week or so, and let someone listen to you and what your needs are. You should make a decision soon, the longer you put it off, or ignore the problem, the more your children unfairly have to suffer. Children are notorious for blaming themselves for everything that goes wrong in the home, especially younger children. Their increased need for attention may be because they want to make sure you love them, are not angry with THEM, or that you are still there for them. As you said they already know something is different.

Answer 2

Oh sweetie i feel ya. My kids are 6 and 2. I have no job either. Their father is no where around. I live with my in laws and have noone to drop them off with for 2 days as much as i would want to CONSTANTLY. It is hard i feel alot of the way you feel. You may be depressed but even the Anti-Depressants they've put me on hasn't helped the fact that i wanna run Far Away. Kids are tough nobody said they weren't especially when their attached to your *** 24/7. Believe me i know.Keep your head up as well as you can. It'll get better eventually.

Answer 3

Here's a site that has a lot about depression, including the clinical DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis.
http://www.allaboutdepression.com/dia_01.html

Answer 4

Take this depression self-assessment to see whether you have symptoms of depression:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8271/9025.html

If it shows you do, you should speak to your doctor. Counselling may be useful, but your doctor should be able to refer you for counselling, or prescribe medication for depression, if it is appropriate.

Good luck to you - I have been depressed twice in my life (and was on medication and in counselling) but no longer require either.

Answer 5

Talk to a counselor. Good luck.

Answer 6

Sound like a possibility. You have to talk to your Dr., and she/he will refer you to a specialist if need be.