Post Natal Depression Forum

Posted: 01 November 2007 at 9:45pm | IP Logged

I had my 'ending session' with my counsellor today.  Basically, I'm now ok, mentally, but it was a catch up session to see how I'd been doing the last month since I'd seen her.  I found the session quite thought provoking, really.

One of her tasks was for me to learn to relax and have some 'me' time when the boys are in bed.

I actually find it hard to relax and usually I find myself ironing a mountain of clothes or sweeping and mopping floors, oh, and the work surfaces won't clean themselves...

Why do I find it so hard to relax?  Any ideas welcome.

Posted: 01 November 2007 at 9:59pm | IP Logged

Hun

1) congratulations on being classed as ok. How do you feel now that you no longer have the sessions to go to?

2) your not alone i'm constantly tense and trying to do bits and pieces.... i find it encredibly hard to relax and chill out so i'm glad you brought this up cause i thought i was the only one so kept quite.

Posted: 03 November 2007 at 7:16pm | IP Logged

Hello Zany,

I feel relieved that I can cope with everyday life, thank you for asking.  That's the plus side.

Depression is a very selfish ailment and I felt so ashamed for putting my family and friends through such a tough time.  But equally so I'm so glad that I was able to recognise that something was wrong and put it right by seeking help.

Secondly, I kind of guess I wan't alone with the not being able to relax thing which was why I'd posted on here.

I'm sure I'm obsessive.  I find it hard to sit and do nothing, meanwhile I'm wearing myself out.  Furthermore, because all I feel my life is all about work and the kids I feel resentful at friends and family who seem to live a stress-free life.  Of course, this is nonsense because everyone has there own set of problems, but I worry that I won't be able to cope or worse that I'm being judged being a single mum who obviously can't control her kids or keep her house clean.  I think it's called paranoia-lolololo.

And it doesn't matter that people tell me it's rubbish because in my head it's what I believe and nothing will shift it.

Like my mum keeps reminding me it's only me that can change how I view myself, but it's nothing helping me much at the moment.

Posted: 03 November 2007 at 8:15pm | IP Logged

Am really going to bop you on the nose one of these days young lady....nuff said

Posted: 03 November 2007 at 9:00pm | IP Logged

Hun,

I'm glad you didn't mind me asking how you feel now your foot loose and fancy free.

As for house standards i too set mine high, i don't have realistic standards for what i can really do with my hips and i know i will never be able to met them realistically. I know people tell you it doesn't matter we come to see you not your house but i always worry and i always feel like i'm being judged. I have to keep telling myself my house is not a mess it's lived in and there's a difference. I still struggle with it from time to time but it helps sometimes to say it over and over again.... i'm hoping one day i'll have said it often enough that i'll believe it!

As for being obsessive i think we all have traits of ocd etc. Have have to check the doors locked in a particular order otherwise i'll recheck it till it's done in an order that i know is correct. Locking windows etc...

As for you family i'm sure they are not ashamed of you but the opposite, you've recognised a problem which is difficult to face even though it's not always nice for others around us to expericence, delt with it and had the treatment necessary, putting yourself out to help put yourself back on the straight and narrow. If anything they'll be proud of you for doing it and fighting it and not giving up and crawling under a rock somewhere....

I take my hat off to you and everyone who has and is fighting depression it's not easy but it's an amazing feeling one thats difficult to really discribe once you've got it cracked. Well done babes XXX