Posted , 12 users are following.
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
0 likes, 23 replies
nicola891 mum2angelalex
Posted
celtics nicola891
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celtics mum2angelalex
Posted
nick34171 mum2angelalex
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Dondons3 mum2angelalex
Posted
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
sarah12391 mum2angelalex
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linda83143l mum2angelalex
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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
celtics linda83143l
Posted
krollette66 mum2angelalex
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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
lor793 mum2angelalex
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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
mum2angelalex
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xx
Dondons3 mum2angelalex
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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
hypercat mum2angelalex
Posted
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
medxrx mum2angelalex
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Once again may be someone on in the forum could answer this question. In Canada a licenced psychiatrist is usually covered by the government whereas, therapists are not. I am going to put this out there because of some of the horrible things I've witnessed over the years working in clinics or - with patients dealing with depression and not feeling they were getting the assistance they had hoped for.
First, personally I really believe that it is in anyone's best interest to see a licenced psychiatrist rather than a therapist - perhaps as they begin to feel better, a therapist would be better at that point. If a patient sees a therapist that cannot prescribe any medications, then they are required to send the patient back to either their pg or a psychiatrist who can write a prescription.
Here's the short version (and I'd be happy to give anyone detailed information if you would like).
Psychology is the study of people: how we think, how we act, react and interact. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivation underlying such behaviour.
Psychotherapy involves the treatment of a client's mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker or other mental health provider. Psychotherapy is usually meant to help the client learn about their moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors and how to better respond to life's challenges. Psychotherapy may also be performed by practitioners with different qualifications, including psychiatry, psychology, social work.
The practice of most psychiatrists in Ontario for example is focused on prescribing medications and consulting with family physicians, psychologists and other health professionals. Psychiatrist's tend to focus on the biological aspects of mental health while psychologists tend to focus on the cognitive, emotional and behavioural. Psychiatrists are licensed by the Government to prescribe medication as I mentioned.
If you think about it, they are better qualified especially in the initial stages of treatment because they also have the medical background and can assess, and determine what medication is best suitable for you. Sessions are covered by the government, here anyway - and yet, many opt to go the total opposite way. I bring this point out for the simple fact that it appears one would rather pay for a session so they don't have to think to themselves that they are seeing a psychiatrist. They fear that they would be looked at as "crazy". Another very big reason to educate people about depression and get the word out there anyway we can.
Hope this helps.
To you mum? Way to go! You keep fighting the fight and get yourself better - and if you need someone to hold your hand or vent? I'd say coming here to the forum seems to be a great place - there's quite a few of us here that would be more than happy to help out
Sincerely with a smile, and big hugs coming your way, H.
UK-Ven-medicate mum2angelalex
Posted
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
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