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Depression Related Forums => Depression Central => Topic started by: caned_and_unable on March 22, 2012, 12:54:03 PM

Title: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on March 22, 2012, 12:54:03 PM
Hi was wondering if anyone had some good tips on motivation and coping with depression when you have children at home. I feel so tired all the time then I feel really guilty for not being the fun enthusiastic mum I used to be. Everything seems such an effort and is forced. I push myself to do stuff all the time but it's just so unenjoyable and I feel awful for feeling like this. Need a boost.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on March 22, 2012, 01:02:24 PM
Sadly, no advice, but you're not alone, I have 4 children, the eldest is 8 and the youngest 3.  It's tough and I hate feeling the way I do.  I can completely relate to you when you say everything is a struggle.  I just hold onto the fact that my children don't seem to mind, they get the toys out and they're happy.  Sometimes I use the tv.  When its really bad I put them in the car and go for a drive and the playpark.  That way I can sit and they run around. 

Hold faith in the hope that it will get better  &*( &*( &*(
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on March 22, 2012, 03:12:29 PM
Unfortunately I can't drive think things would be alot better for me if I could as I'm always stuck in the house. I've moved out of my home town for a better life for my kids but it's taking it's toll on me, but their worth it. It's hard cos some days I feel like doing nothing and thats just impossible. Hoping the meds will kick in soon. :-) thanks for your reply feel free to message me if you ever need to chat it's nice to talk to some one who is going through the same thing. How everything goes ok for you.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on March 22, 2012, 03:16:36 PM
I don't know what I would do if I couldn't drive.

I'm bipolar, currently depressed with it though and suppose to avoid stress, great with 4 children ;) today is a better day for me.

Feel free to message me as well. Sometimes it's a life saver to be able to talk on here  :)
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on March 22, 2012, 03:37:24 PM
Or bless ya you've got it both ends. What meds are working for your depression? I've been on prozac (didn't work) now on citalopram but not looking good, trying to get dose upped but doctors making me wait till easter, feels like forever to me, alright for them to say that they don't have to live like this. I've got atypical depression which makes you want to be very lazy which its no good with 2 kids. God knows how you manage 4.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on March 22, 2012, 04:42:25 PM
I was on Prozac which worked for me at 40 mg but then it's not great for bipolar so had to stop it as I was getting a little speeded up. At the moment I can't take anything apart from the mood stabilisers.
Really feel for you, hope something gets sorted out soon.

Pm me if you need to, I pick them up on my phone  :)
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on March 24, 2012, 08:25:24 PM
How's your weekend going?
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on March 31, 2012, 09:50:02 AM
Hi buttercup, sorry I've been away with my OH and kids to great yarmouth. Weather was great but my little boy was a pain in the back side ha he's got such a temper. I'm not too bad thanks a bit down now I've come back to reality. Just had my meds upped so fingers crossed will start feeling some improvement soon. How you doing?
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Jane on April 01, 2012, 08:32:19 AM
Daily walks; even if it's pants weather has always been my method when I'm feeling down, kids love play parks and my 3 will happily engage and play together without any money needed. We pack a snack and juice.

We don't always make it but it helps to have an option to get out.

Hope your meds help and glad you've had a lovely holiday... little ones behaviour can be a pain when away though can't it, my now 7 year old kicks off every holiday we have.. think it's being away leads to too much excitment.

Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 09:30:02 AM
Hi jane, thanks for your advice. I find the.park does help but sometimes causes more stress than it's worth I have a 3yr old girl and a 20mth old boy. My little boy has such a temper and kicks and screams when taking him off things at the park. I've been exercising every day trying to get some motivation going as I'm really lacking it at the min. It really helps talking to people on here though thanks. How are you doing?
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Rycing on April 01, 2012, 10:29:43 AM
Hi, I know exactly how you feel.....my children are my joy, but also my biggest stress. If only they would play together......they prefer to fight and the youngest has a very short fuse. It's like living on egg shells.
Mummmeeeeeeeee is the screech I hear 500 times a day....it drives me to insanity, much as I love them.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Rycing on April 01, 2012, 10:32:19 AM
Tips.....me time, otherwise I would have gone well under by now.
Also, reminding myself that this does not go on forever.....it's just a life stage.
Talking to others going through the same thing.xx
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 11:32:32 AM
Thanks for that. I think I do need some me time but never really seem to get it. I love my kids so much too but it is hard when your suffering  from depression and all you want to do is curl up in a ball. I get through the day for the kids but everything is forced I'm just hoping I can start enjoying my life again. Are you on any medication and is it working for you?
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on April 01, 2012, 11:42:12 AM
I agree, it's so so hard with children when you are depressed, like you said everything is forced. Mine are off school next week and I'm trying to work out what to do with them. I find the park incredibly stressful it really sets off my paranoia and I see danger everywhere  :( I can only manage it with my hubby and then it's still a struggle.
I'm not in a true depression at the moment, I am currently a bit hypo but I get dysphoric highs so too much noise or people around me makes me very agitated and irritable. I currently take mood stabilisers but I a
Not yet stable.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Rycing on April 01, 2012, 11:43:10 AM
Hi, yes. I took fluoxetine, but had bad nightmares. I've been on citalopram for about 8 weeks. It's helping the real lows, I'm not nearly so tearful and sad feeling, but I'm still moody.
It's making me very tired and I am dreaming a lot more, but not nightmares to the extent the fluoxetine gave me. I think I have also gained weight. :o
It's snatching those little bits of me time when you can...like coming on here, reading a book, having a bath, watching a t.v programme. I go running and I make sure I go at least once per week and just do what I can in between. Easier now the evenings are lighter as I can go when the kids are in bed.  :) x
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 12:42:04 PM
Hi buttercup, mine are too young to start school yet so trying to find things to do with then is quite hard, plus like I said before I don't drive. It must be really hard for you to be up and down all the time with 4 kids. Yes the park is stressful, now the weathers better I let the kids out to play in the garden where I know their safe and I don't need to worry. I have OH at home at the min so alot easier but he's back at work tomorrow so I'll probably struggle tomorrow as mondays my worst day.
 

Hi rycing I too have been on fluoxetine but have me bad migraines now I'm on citalopram which has recently been upped to 40mg I feel less sad also but still a bit moody and not alot of motivation. I take my meds at night as they made me quite drowsy in the day.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Buttercup on April 01, 2012, 01:48:09 PM
3 of mine are at school, 1 is at home, so during term time I get a bit of a break. I was on Fluoxetine 40mg and got on fine with it. I can't take it for more than a few months though as it's not great to be on antidepressants with bipolar. Xxx

Hope your day is ok tomorrow.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 04:09:01 PM
Thanks buttercup. I've just took the kids to feed the ducks, feel better for it so think I might get my ironing out the way while I'm in good spirits. Got an idea for tomorrow to help with my motivation going to write a list of things to do ie, housework, take the kids to the park and exercise. Sounds silly but maybe if its write down in black and white it might push me to get stuff done. Hope you have a good day tomorrow too. Give us a bell if you need to chat and thanks you've really helped me on here.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Rycing on April 01, 2012, 04:41:04 PM
I also find it helps to achieve small things....maybe just looking at ladybirds in the garden can lift the mood. If it's exercise, I might just promise myself 10 minutes, then it's more achievable. ;)
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 07:39:08 PM
Thats it, I'm starting to realize that taking small steps is the way to go. I think I've been aiming too high then get mad with myself if I don't achieve it. I'm hoping to do 15 mins a day on my cross trainer which is time for me to just plug in my mp3 and forget everything. I hope you all have a good nights sleep and good day tomorrow. Xx
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Sweetpea on April 01, 2012, 07:44:50 PM
It took me a long time to realise that its baby steps, I also tried to aim too high and got angry with myself.  Now I make sure I rest and give myslf time.

Take care

S x
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: caned_and_unable on April 01, 2012, 08:02:59 PM
Thanks shaz, I'm feeling positive that 2moro's going to be a good day. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Motivation tips, coping with depression and 2 kids!
Post by: Sweetpea on April 01, 2012, 08:06:05 PM
Good for you will cross mine too for you  ;).

S x