I think I have depression. What should I do ?

[Dora1994]

I'm feeling exhausted and tired. I've been through a lot last couple of years.. I've just become a qualified teacher after my father passed away.. all I seem to think about is where do dead people go ? I cant sleep, I dont feel right. I cannot be bothered getting help..I cant be bothered getting up to wash my face.. or getting out of bed.. so how do I get help when my mind isn't allowing my body to move.. I'm typing this as I lay in bed having been awake all night. I feel quite empty and numb.. I dont want to do anything at all. Breathing for me is enough..any idea what I should do

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Dora 1994,

Welcome to our supportive community. Well done for taking a brave step out of your comfort zone to reach out for help. Hopefully, you will begin to find folks here are only too willing to come alongside you and share from their personal journeys and experiences.

You are obviously having a difficult time right now, may I suggest that you need to speak to your GP about how you are felling, and maybe ask for a referral for specialist help from a psychiatrist and local mental health team. There is a range of therapies that can help including medications and talking therapies. Some local charities offer low-cost talking therapies. Also, local mental health charities such a Mind UK may offer a support group that meets in your area to drop-in: mind.org.uk/information-sup...

You may find some of the suggestions in this article helpful. Again don't close your mind off but maybe just try one or two to begin with. Often it's focusing in the present moment on the little things that make the difference such as appreciating a beautiful sunny day or walk in the countryside.

How to find the light at the end of the tunnel: wikihow.com/Find-the-Light-...

Do check out our Pinned Post section for free mental health guides.

Keep these UK crisis support helplines handy:

Shout for support in crisis: Text 85258 giveusashout.org/get-help/

The Samaritans Tel: 116 123 [24 hours line]

NHS: 999 [Emergencies]

NHS 111 [Non-Emergencies]

MIND UK charity: Helpline Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

Text: 86463 mind

Depression: mind.org.uk/information-sup...

SANEline Tel: [phone] [4.30pm – 10.30pm daily] sane.org.uk/

Keep in touch, we are listening and we care. Ok, folks please pop by and welcome this new member on board.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Dora1994 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thank you so much ❤

[guitarfreak357]

Hi Dora. You did the right thing by reaching out on here! speak to your GP and speak to them about CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy). I've been suffering with depression for almost 2 years, coming towards the end of therapy and currently on anti depressants. Happy to talk

[Dora1994 in reply to guitarfreak357]

Hey thank you for your reply. I'm going to get help. Just wanted to know do anti depressants actually work and did they have any side effects on you? Like do you feel a change in your self ?

[guitarfreak357 in reply to Dora1994]

In the long run yes! Short term up to three months they'll be days where you don't think you've even taken them honestly. It's down to you and your gp to find what works for you. I'm on 30mg citalopram and I've been on this for nearly 2 years x

[guitarfreak357 in reply to guitarfreak357]

...Only trouble I've had is they give me really bad gas n stomach cramps occasionally but it effects people differently I'm not a huge guy so didn't take long to get into my system x

[_Alex_ in reply to Dora1994]

If you want motivation levels boosted, it's possible you can get that from antidepressants, but you may have to try a few of them to find one that works. SSRIs aren't necessarily the best thing for that, but it's very much down to individual response.

As long as you aren't unlucky, the side effects aren't too scary, but expect something. For example, sexual desire may well be lowered.

[Hidden]

The most important I recommend is to talk with your GP, make your appointment then write out a list of your problems, Anxiety and Depression, if possible make a double appointment so you get more time for your explanations. You can try breathing exercises and Relaxation Technique Mindfulness, an explanation of both can be found on the internet. There are books on relaxation technique MINDFULNESS, for about £7 .00, Amazon.

Let us know how you get on

BOB

[Dora1994 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I'm going to try and get an appointment for this week. And hopefully things get better with time. At the moment I cant manage to do anything but once I'm a little motivated I will definitely try that out x

[BabyLayla]

It’s ok to be sad, you have been through a lot of stress over the past three years and loosing your father on top, no wonder you feel exhausted and worn out. Do you have a NQT position to start next month.? That is also additional pressure. How about setting an alarm ( not too early) and writing yourself a check list eg: wash face, clean teeth, eat breakfast and actually ticking them off as you do them. Do you have a friend you could catch up with? It’s so difficult to reach out when you are so low.

You could contact Cruse bereavement care for some telephone counselling. Take care, depression is so hard but you will have brighter days again x

[Dora1994 in reply to BabyLayla]

Thank you so much and I think I will do that .. make a list and get through everything slowly. I'm going to try and go doctors and get help today. But no I havent secured an nqt position .. I'm scared to work just keep doubting myself as a teacher like I dont even like teaching anymore.. I just want to be a supply or maybe get into secondary art teaching.. but I think I'm going to do supply for a bit once I've sorted myself out .. thank you again means so much xx

[BabyLayla in reply to Dora1994]

Thanks for getting back to me, small steps sweetie, and if you don’t get it done set smaller ones for the next day, it’s a hellish crawl back up, I know I’ve done it several times but do you know, I’ve never got as low as I was the first time so trust in your self and slowly rebuild your life.

When you are feeling stronger start planning which school are the ones that take care of their staff and apply to those. Sometimes supply is actually harder as you don’t build those supporting relationships with other staff members so if you are doubting yourself then you never realise that you actually are a good teacher.

There is a very good telephone support in UK called teacherline so take a look at that. Take care and good luck x