[Confusedatimes]

I'm never happy, ever. I've been getting more and more sad. I'm dealing with a sick parent and have a lot of stress. I am barely getting 4 hours of sleep a night. I cry often. I'm irritable. Have a heavy feeling in my chest. I have episodes of anxiety which makes me feel the need to act out by having sex with strangers and sometimes seeking them to abuse me physically. I would say 5 days out of 7 I'm sad. The other few days I feel well enough to function and make it through the day without crying or being anxious. I'm currently in the beginning stages of intake at the mental help clinic. It will be several weeks before I see a psychiatrist. To be diagnosed. I have an appt with my general dr to possible get meds.

Hello Confusedatimes: It sounds as though you have allot on your plate, as the saying goes. Being a caregiver can be very stressful. And then if you're not getting enough sleep, that must make it doubly difficult to keep going. I'm glad to hear you're making an effort to get some professional help for yourself. If there were to be an opportunity to participate in a caregivers' support group, that might be helpful as well.

I see you have already submitted 7 posts. So I presume you're finding your way around PC. However, should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact any member of the Community Liaison Team. Also, have you had an opportunity to participate in any of our chat rooms? If not check out the Community Calendar to see when the various chats occur:

Forums at Psych Central - Calendar

Best wishes...

[Confusedatimes]

Do i just have depressive symptom? From what I've research I don't feel I am showing bipolar issues

[Kathleen83]

I've been diagnosed with many things.....and feel some of them are on the mark, some of them are completely wrong, and some of what I'm going thru hasn't ever been recognized by those doing the diagnosing. It's good that you are seeking help, both here, and outside of here. Try not to worry too much on a specific diagnosis....because really, the diagnosis doesn't matter. What matters is what you are feeling, and thinking, and what can be done to help you feel and think better.

[Confusedatimes]

Originally Posted by Kathleen83

I've been diagnosed with many things.....and feel some of them are on the mark, some of them are completely wrong, and some of what I'm going thru hasn't ever been recognized by those doing the diagnosing. It's good that you are seeking help, both here, and outside of here. Try not to worry too much on a specific diagnosis....because really, the diagnosis doesn't matter. What matters is what you are feeling, and thinking, and what can be done to help you feel and think better.

I'm not concerned what they label me, I just have read that the meds for bipolar and depression are very different. I don't want to make things worse. I'm going Tuesday to my general dr and will push for antidepressants and something for sleep. I cannot take ambien. I tried that once and had horrible hallucinations. I currently have clonazepam 0.5. It takes a long time to fall asleep taking it and I wake up very tired and in a daze.

[Pierro]

No wonder you are crying a lot. You have so much to deal with at the moment. Looking after an elderly parent is very difficult. I am glad that you are getting help. It sounds selfish but you need some time for yourself. You are running yourself into the ground and by doing this it is going to make your mental health problems so much worse.

Best wishes

[Nammu]

Instead of asking for anti depressants ask for a psych consult and let a pdoc determination decide what you need. Many GPs just say ok and give ADs without understanding the consequences.

[Confusedatimes]

Originally Posted by sidestepper

Instead of asking for anti depressants ask for a psych consult and let a pdoc determination decide what you need. Many GPs just say ok and give ADs without understanding the consequences.

I'm trying but don't have an appt til November 20th. Was hoping to get help sooner.

[Confusedatimes]

My GD wouldn't prescribe anything. So I have to wait til November 20 th.

[Confusedatimes]

Oh yeah my GD also decided that I am anorexic!

[Nammu]

That's actually a good thing, especially if you are BP. Getting the right Dx is important. Just keep telling yourself it is less than three weeks you can get though this. Also it might help to write down your symptoms that you notice so you can remember everything when you see the pdoc it can be daunting the first time to remember everything.