Stressed Out

V.,
I, too was in the same boat. I have finally broken down and went to see my dr. He prescribed Zoloft (low dose) to see if that helped my situation. It has worked for me. I also have tried to exercise more..usually after kids are down at night, and to find some "me" time that I have not done in years. Hope this helps!

J.

Hi V.! My pastor is a retired psychologist, he always recommends a vitamin B complex and vitamin C to help the B complex to absorb better. Winter is especially bad because we do not get enough vitamin B from the sun... I've had bad experiences with over the counter antidepressants in the past (not to say they don't work for some people though), but the vitamins do seem to help improve my mood on a more regular consistant basis.

Good Luck!

Hi V.,

I had just responded to your request and for some reason it didn't transmit. I have known the overwhelming feeling you're going through, however, don't have any advise as to antidepressants. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor. He/she will know what to do and how to handle your situation. He/she will discuss how to take the edge off. I know as a strong independant woman it's hard to ask for help. At one time in my life, I felt just as you do and the best thing I did was talk to my doctor. Your conversation with your doctor is confidential. Let me tell you, it was the best thing I had ever done for myself!

Please take care. It sounds like you have some great things going on in your life and you should be enjoying them.

Take care,
S.

You may want to try Rescue Remedy (homeopathic med. you can get at Whole Foods that helps with stress) or increasing your Vitamin B. The other thing to consider is talking with someone at Project Enlightenment (Resource Center in Wake Co. for parents with children birth to kinder.)

Good Luck
E.

I've suffered from chronic depression and chronic mild anxiety all my life. I've been on and off zoloft and hospitalized twice. Here's some ideas for holistic stuff. Some may work, some won't. I find that it helps most of the time.
1. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. I know as a mom that's impossible, but schedule it. You need 7-8 hours. And no more. Sleep helps regulate seratonin levels.
2. If you're not working, you can try to get outside for an hour or so around 12-1. The sunlight and exercise can help.
3. Take a multi-vitamin. Make sure you're getting enough Bs and Folic Acid. Honestly, I take chewable Flintstones vitamins :)
4. Fish Oil has been shown to help regulate brain function and may help with depression. But this usually takes a week or two before it truely helps.

I really hope that one of these helps you. Remember HALT. Don't let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Take care of yourself!

T.

St. John's Wort has worked wonders for me on three different occasions(you can find it in the herb/natural remedies/vitamins section of any pharmacy or Wal-mart). But, check with your doctor, it interferes with many prescription drugs including birth control.

Over the counter it is not, but ZOLOFT has worked for me. My docotor actually started me on it, while I was pregnant, its that safe. Also when I was feeling like you are I went and had a pycscical and the found that my Thyroid was not working, which is very commen in women. You may want to get that checked, its a blood test and they regulate it with meds. Good luck. Try to remember that everyone has days like you are having, its hard sometimes. But it will get better!!!!

Yes, It is called St. John's Wort, and you should be able to find it with the supplements at any store with a pharmacy. It is an inexpensive supplement. Don't use it if you take birth control pills because it makes them less effective. I took it for many years for mild depression, but because I have been diagnosed with chronic recurrent depression, I have found that this tends to help more with stress and "the blues" (mild depression)and not moderate depression. It takes about 2 weeks of taking it to start to feel a change. Here is a website with health information. Although this is a safe supplement, it does have some drug interactions. Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon!
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/
R.
____@____.com

Hi I know what you are going through been there done that so many times sure there are things to take out there but for me it is my kids that get me through the day if i didnt have them i would go crazy i run a daycare and have five of them and it seems like nothing gets done but as you get a schedule going you keep it going and you know you can do it and it gets easlier then you think i used to be on zoloft and i thought that was going to fix everything it didnt if you think you really need something see a doctor before you get into something or you need a friend to talk to call me my name is T. And the # is ###-###-#### i have a good pair of ears so call me if you want im here A new friend T.

Relacore and herbal teas.
Also you may want to be tested for SAD. It's seasonal depression. In that case there is a special light to bring you out of your funk. I'm sure you ae stressed and tired. Try to make it a point to sit down with your kids and do a craft or bake some cookies. You'll all feel better. In Florence, activities are hard to come by but the library has stuff going on and there is a art,science, and history museum. It's pretty cheap too. Also, I'm a big advocate of relaxing candles and hot baths. You definitely want to find what works for you before you get married.

I understand the overwhelming feeling you are going thru. I was a single mom for a few years with a child with a disability. I tried the St. John's Wort for a few months and it worked ok but I had a few big crisis happen and it just didn't help once I got thru the situations. It is worth a try but if you find that it isn't working talk with you doctor. You may also want to try a place like Good Foods Grocery or Elwood Thompson and ask their people that know other alternative meds.

Hi V. -

People close to me have been single mothers and I've seen how hard that can be. I agree with the vitamin and herbal recommendation people have given you. Also, there's little practical things you can do to lift your spirit. Count your blessings. I know it's a cliche, but it became a cliche for a reason. Just spend a few minutes every day - set aside a little time - to think about the good things in your life and say "thanks" to God for them. I gaurantee that will help pull you up out of the funk. Also, I felt like I couldn't "catch up" for awhile myself and then someone told me about the FlyLady web site. It's a free "mentoring" service. I think you'd really benefit from it. Flylady.net Blessings!

Oh V. I know how you feel. I have two teenagers! They truly are wonderful but sometimes having to deal with everything by yourself does get quite overwhelming. I have been on and off of low dose zoloft! On and off becuase I hate taking medicine. I do feel like it helped me but what helped me most was just taking some time out for me! Keeping them busy with other constructive activities that will take up there time and take pressure off of me! I am glad that you will soon have someone to share the load with you soon! But if you have a supportive family also rely on them that helps tremendously also! I wish you the best!

I know what you mean I am not a single mom but my husband works two jobs so he's never here but there are things you can get over the counter. Since this is more of a hormonal thing you can try a natural balancing cream like a progesterone cream. Maybe a good friend to vent off too or a day out to yourself everybody needs a break

it sounds like seasonal depression. there are lights you can get to help. check with your local walmart etc. your doctor can tell you what they are. theyre a little expensive but they work. ive also heard st johns wart works.

i no exactly how you feel , i just had my only vehicle repoed today, im over due on my rent by 2 mos. owe my lawyer 750.00 etc. all i can say is Pray. its the only thing that gets me by. it helps me with stress i no one day ill look back and laugh at my anxieties.

Hi V.,

Anyone who is getting married in four months and is raising small children has a right to be stressed!

If you go to the Health food store and get some St. John's Wort it is a natural antidepressant. Also a good B-vitamin complex is a great mood lifter.

Hope this helps. Also, remember, the bible says "Put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

You are in my prayers.

W.

Definitely St. John's Wort. It'll take a little longer to kick in but it's all natural.

Befor eyou try anti-depressants, try vitamins. Maybe you just need more energy. If that doesnt work.. maybe you just need a little pick me up for yourself. If you can go get your hair and nails done and see if that helps you feel better.