How cope with depression/mood swings

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
How cope with depression/mood swings
5
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 10:12pm

My H and I split up in April; mostly my idea. It's been really smooth/amicable in every aspect; we sat down together to work out everything from custody to child support to furniture.

I have no question that I'm not attracted to him any more, but sometimes I wonder if it'd be easier to go back... those kind of (what I assume are normal) thoughts.

This is my question: I am having mood swings, short temper, crying spells, etc. I went to a therapist, but he didn't seem to think I was depressed; however, it feels a lot like the post partum depression I suffered after my DD was born.

I still have some meds left... I'm thinking of trying them. I just get so frustrated and sometimes I have a short temper with my DD... I don't want to take it out on her.

Advice?? TIA!

K

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 10:24pm
I would try a different therapist and definitely talk to your doctor before trying the meds. What you are going through does sound normal, but you are not expected nor should you feel you have to go through it alone. You are grieving the loss of your marriage and you can feel depressed without being technically or clinically depressed. It's a rough time and you need a therapist that recognizes it and can help you through it.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 10:33pm

Thanks. I know I should, but now I can't afford it... you guys are the closest thing! lol. The stress in my life is huge now; the divorce is the easiest thing; work is beyond crazy - people keep getting fired and I'm afraid I might - topped with huge money issues, I'm barely making rent. It's all getting to me.

Thanks for the ear.

K

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 4:05am

of COURSE you are going to be feeling this way!! you have alot on your shoulders right now and it does get to us. you don't mention your age - but sometimes mood swings have to do with hormones, and you yourself mentioned that it feels like Post partum depression. therefore, before going back to the therapist (and DEFINATELY before taking any old meds) - i would advise you to go to your ob/gyn, get a bunch of blood tests run. what i mean is - it could be depression, and it could be something hormonal - or some kind of combination.


also - there are ways to help ourselves. I personally think that therapy is great, and i understand that its expensive but it will help you long and short term. it will help you focus, it will help you to move ahead in life. I can tell you that i was stuck in a rut for many years, was in a dead end job, kept 'wanting' to go back to school but never did, etc. and after i got divorced - my life changed! i went to a therapist for a short while, was completely honest with myself and now - i went back to school, got promoted at work, etc. point is - the 'old' me would never have been able to do these things.


in addition - you really need to take care of yourself. make sure that you are eating properly, cut down on junk, and try to eat only healthy foods - real fruit and vegetables, whole grains, non-processed foods as much as possible, drink water etc. and exercise! even if you can't join a gym, you can still power walk or jog, and meditate. talk to your friends and ask them to help you - but be specific: "you know, ever since bob and

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2004
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 9:28am

The feelings you're experiencing are totally normal. I wasn't clinically depressed, but I went through many of those emotions, more intensely for the first few months after my separation, and then they gradually tapered off over the next 6 months or so. A divorce is a huge life changing event and it takes some time to work through your feelings associated with it.

It is possible you could be clinically depressed, but don't assume you are and take the medication without a doctor's diagnosis. Only a doctor can determine how long you would need the medication - you don't want to run out of medication and have to deal with the effects of that. And if you're not depressed and take the medication you could cause yourself other problems.

Hang in there.

-sang

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
Thu, 07-28-2005 - 10:09pm

Thanks guys... you're right... I shouldn't take the meds. Sometimes it's so hard to cope and you begin to wonder if you're making a horrible mistake but 90% of the time I know it's right.