Your Dilemmas: "I'm finding life very difficult..."

Tue, 02 Jul, 2019 - 13:00

Dear Joan,

I’m finding life very difficult at the moment. I have recently been diagnosed with depression and my doctor prescribed antidepressants for me. I have been taking them for two weeks now and I still don’t feel any better.

My energy levels are very low and I find it difficult to get up in the mornings. I have been calling in sick to work every morning this week because I don’t want to get out of bed.

When I do manage to get up, I spend the rest of my day lying on the couch and sleeping for hours on end.

I feel that I am closing myself off more and more from friends and family because any time I arrange to meet them I always back out at the last minute. All I want to do is stay at home on my own and sleep.

My husband and I divorced two years ago and I don’t have children so it’s just me here in my home alone. Over the last few days I am even thinking that this kind of life is too hard and maybe I’m better off ending it all. Can you please help me?

Dear reader,

Indeed life sounds very difficult for you at the moment. I can really feel your loneliness, hurt and isolation from your letter. I’m wondering how long you felt this way before you were diagnosed with depression. You say that you have only recently begun taking medication for this? It can take some time for these to take effect.

I feel that you might have too much of an expectation on yourself to feel better so quickly. Sometimes it’s about taking small steps in your recovery. I also feel that you would benefit greatly by contacting GROW. Your GP would be able to provide you with details on your local support groups or you could look it up on line. It sounds like you need a lot of support right now and GROW would provide you with this. I’m very glad that you reached out to me reader because this means that you are at a point where you realise that your life can not continue this way. I hope that you take these steps to achieve this. I wish you the very best.

SUPPORT CONTACTS

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, call the Samaritans on their free confidential 24/7 helpline on 116-123. You can email j o @ s a m a r i t a n s . i e

Or contact Pieta House National Suicide Helpline on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.

ABOUT GROW

GROW is a Mental Health Organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems. Contact 1890 474 474 or see https://grow.ie