I am a stay-at-home mum of 2 (6 and 1) with a third on the way. We moved to a new town 2 years ago. Prior to this move I always worked.
I am completely struggling with being a stay-at-home mum and feel like I was a way better parent when I worked (which isn't an option atm because of the third on the way). I have been battling depression and anxiety since my second was born which has seemed to have gotten even worse during this pregnancy. I still don't know anyone here or have any family nearby, I feel completely isolated except for my husband who works and doesn't really understand no matter how much I try to talk to him. We will talk, which usually involves him sitting there and just staring at me, then will pretend the whole conversation never happened a short time later.
I am not enjoying my kids at all, I find myself either yelling at them or hiding myself in a corner, crying. I so much want to get out and meet people, but find that I literally have a panic attack as I'm heading out the door. I have tried talking to close family and friends, with the same old responses of 'you're fine'. I have tried medication, which worked for a few months but then went downhill again really quickly. I am exhausted of life, my kids need better than what give them and I feel like I can't carry on anymore.
Has anyone felt like this and how did you find a way out? I'm holding on by a thread and feel like if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be here anymore..
(I know this all sounds so selfish, please know I do love my family so so much and have just gotten to the point where I see how much better off they would be without me)
1 Replies
Get yourself back to the doctor ASAP, get a referral for a psychologist AND discuss medication. Medication often needs to be tweaked it isn't a one medication and you are fixed kind of deal.
Also a psychologist can help you work through the panic so that it doesn't overwhelm you, can also come up with practical solutions.
My psychologist even accompanied me on an 'excursion' to help me break through that barrier.
Help is out there via medical professionals but you have to ask for it and regularly go back. I saw my GP once a week at first then cut back to once a fortnight etc making sure we got the meds right and the psych was helping.