Unhappy

Re: Unhappy

Emma Daw — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 18:52:01 GMT

Hi,

I've just also read your post for the first time and I ended up having depression a few years ago. I worked myself into the ground as we were short staffed at the practice I was based at. I was physically and emotionally exhausted, couldn't sleep, caught every bug going and felt unable to look ahead to even a few hours away. I went to see my fab doctor and he prescribed antidepressants for a year and I took a year out of nursing to teach. I then went back into nursing at a different practice. I still have the odd stumble but I recognise the triggers and stop myself before I get too washed out (plus my parents tell me off when they see me start to wilt !) I know a few nurses myself who have been in the same position - so you are in great company ! Its so important to remember to look after yourself especially in this profession where it is so easy to put your needs aside for the sake of the patients and vets ! Its fantastic to hear you are going travelling - I'm planning my first big African adventure for this summer - its about time I realised my dreams. Take care, live the life you are meant to live and enjoy the ride ! xx

Re: Unhappy

BTCC Fan RVN — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:55:19 GMT

Hello

Ive only just seen this post and i can completely empathize with what you are going through.

I was diagnozed with depression when i was 18 and have battled through it with help of my family and bf.

There are days where i want to hide in the corner and not come out. Days where my emotions are all over the place. I have been on tablets for years and then last yr i decided to come off them slowly.

Last month i had a nervous breakdown and neally drove everyone i love away because no one knew what to do or what was happening. I thought i was losing it. I am now back on medication and slowly getting back to work. Also contacted a counsellor to talk through what i am going through.

I hope anyone who is going through this will read your post and contact someone or talk to someone and not go through it alone.

Re: Unhappy

Laura Ringsell — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:07:26 GMT

So pleased to hear you are on the mend, so sorry I was not 'around' when you originally posted. I wanted to add that a doctor once said to me, if you were diagnosed with diabetes would you refuse insulin? No of course you wouldn't. Depression is just as much of a chemical imbalance and with the right support and course of medication can be swiftly bought into line. I am so pleased to hear that you are sounding better and more in control of all of the forces affecting your happiness. As Steph (I think) said, be aware of your triggers and alarm bells and in future you may be able to make changes before a trip to the doctors is necessary. Good Luck Charlie, and well done for getting through this.

Re: Unhappy

Siobhan Steven — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:04 GMT

I didn't see these posts the first time round and have just read through them, firstly, what a credit to our industry to see such support from some wonderful nurses here. The most amazing thing is to read your update and see what wonderful steps you are taking to move forward, you are brilliant! If you do achieve your goal of traveling and working abroad feel free to PM me if you get to Australia, there is a couch for you to sleep on!

Well done and keep up the great work!

Re: Unhappy

Sal the 1st — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:49:09 GMT

pleased things are on the up for you

Re: Unhappy

Charlotte Chisholm — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:52:46 GMT

I just thought I would post an update as a way of saying thank you to all the lovely people who showed understanding and support when I originally posted.

Last year I was diagnosed with depression and got treatment. Since then I had the strength to tell the ex boyfriend that I didnt want to see him again when he 'changed his mind'!

I got lots of support from my family and confided in a couple of close friends too.

I stayed at the same practice, nursing and managed to find ways of coping with stress after talking to a counsellor (I would recommend this to anyone who is suffering from depression).

My next plan is to travel and work abroad. I am much more positive now and have ways to cope on the sad days.

I can never express on here how grateful I am for the replies and private messages I received x

Re: Unhappy

Charlotte Chisholm — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:22:12 GMT

Hi Vicky. It's horrible to feel this way. I went to my doctor as everyone advised me to do on here. He was very helpful and I was diagnosed with depression. He said he thinks i am focusing all my negative feelings onto work and that's why I am finding it so difficult. Also, it is a very stressful job which some people do not understand. I am now getting help and my friends and family are being very supportive and caring. I'm going to take one day at a time. I think you should go to your doctor too. Talk to friends and family that you are close to as well, they may not realise you need help or are so unhappy? I understand about the on call to. It's very stressful even when quite if you can't leave the building! I also struggle as I rely on practice accommodation which is situated above the practice meaning not much privacy and noisy! Also a couple of members on here sent me a PM which was very helpful and supportive and I'm sure they will be happy to help you too if you want someone else to talk to. Good luck and sending hugs. Charlie x

Re: Unhappy

Vicky Dalton-Placzek — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:43:15 GMT

Just read your original post and it struck a chord.

I am in my last 3 months of training, having my practicals in March, and feel just as unhappy as you are.

I can't remember the last time I felt properly happy and feel like I have completely lost myself and my personality (which was a fun loving, happy person!)

My reason is the simple fact that the small practice I work at have made us change from a stay at home weekend on call duty to a stay at work on call duty at the weekends and once a week.

I dread being at work the day before I do night duty and I hate being here and I hate the day after. Our bedroom in the practice is right over the kennel room and I very rarely sleep due to the noise. Last night I had 11pm meds, 3am meds and 7am start all with having a howling dog keep me awake all night.

I lose all compassion when looking after the inpatients, which I also hate, its my job!

Before this I used to love my work

But my boyfriend finds it very hard when all I think about is how much I hate being here, we argue, don't speak for days etc

I cry a lot.

All I'm clinging to is qualifying and finding a job without on call.

But I haven't been myself for pretty much years.

Re: Unhappy

Charlotte Chisholm — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:36:17 GMT

Thank you everyone for your replies. The last couple of days have been my lowest. Unsure of how to move forward. I have made an appointment at my doctors for tomorrow, will let you know how I get on. I have also taken some days off work and a friend is taking me away this weekend so I have something to look forward too. I hope I don't push more people away, like I have with my ex. I have been nursing for 4 years, qualified for 2. I don't feel I am strong enough to leave my practice just yet as all the nurses are helping me. I think it would be too hard to start again. As everyone keeps saying 'one day at a time'. Charlie x

Re: Unhappy

Karen Vernon — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:21:59 GMT

After I read your post just, I thought, I'm glad Im not the only one!!!!!

Ive been having a shit time too lately, just sad and feeling out of control of everything in my life.

I've been nursing for 13years, Dx with depression 10years ago was on AD's for 4 years then off now I'm back on them, milder ones this time.

I had a break from VN as I was just emotionally wrecked, compassion fatigue they call it. Ive just come back, even though I love it, it does wear you down if you're not careful.

How long you been nursing for?

It actually might be a good thing that you be single for a bit, how can someone be happy with you if you are not happy with you. You want to be with someone because they compliment you not just to fill a void in your life. First priority is getting to like yourself again, what are your best qualities? work and personal? I do the mistake of comparing myself to others all the time, it wasn't until I sat back and said " yes, they may know more about orthopedics than me but I've got better relations with the clients. Its a work in progress.

Don't run, the problem will only follow or be there when you get back. Don't drown your sorrows as the bastards swim!

I agree, go and talk to someone who doesn't know you, i.e. doctor, councillor. You have made the first step by writing on here

x good luck charlie

Kaz

Re: Unhappy

zara — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:19:14 GMT

I will pm you later as i found something on yahoo that i have read and printed for my friend but it is very long but makes alot of sense

Re: Unhappy

Sal the 1st — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:29:31 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]

Sorry I hate to disagree with you but it is not hard to come off them! I was diagnosed in 2003 and at one point had to go up to the highest dose the docs would give me, I have now been off them for 8 months completely, you just have to be careful and follow docs orders and wean off them, some people may have problems yes but it is a general statement to say its hard for eveyone to come off them

[/quote]

I agree - used with care these drugs can be life savers, they are not something to be afraid of or an admission of weakness if they can help you through a rough patch

Re: Unhappy

Steph Worsley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:05:00 GMT

[quote user="Kirsty T"]

In addition to seeking help for possible depression I think you should also consider have a full blood count.

Don't go straight onto anti-depressents because its hard to come back off of them

[/quote]

Re: Unhappy

Kirsty T — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:50 GMT

I hope you are feeling better?

In addition to seeking help for possible depression I think you should also consider have a full blood count.

I had some of your symptoms and it turned out I was so severely iron-deficient.
A main sign of iron deficiency anemia is tiredness and is easily treated with iron tablets (can buy these over the counter too)

Don't go straight onto anti-depressents because its hard to come back off of them

Chin up :)

PS: If your boyfriend can't cope and be supportive towards you then he isn't the right guy for you :)

Re: Unhappy

Vicky RVN — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:54:55 GMT

I agree, go to your doctor for a chat because they may be able to help. I also agree take a break from nursing, if you miss it you can always go back. Hope you get things sorted x

Re: Unhappy

Steph Worsley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:53:09 GMT

I agree with Finnigan it does sound like you are suffering from depression (you are NOT weak to admit this!)

There are many of us on here who do suffer and as a long time sufferer myself I can now spot some of the signs, I am currently not on any meds and am feeling great, however I am starting to suffer from insomnia again and I think this may be it starting up again, so I am going to be making an appt to see my docs again soon.

Sometimes it can be hard on those around us when we are suffering as they don't know whats going on either. I was lucky that my parents told me to go to the docs as they recognised the signs, although I suffered myself for about a year prior to this.

crying at every opportunity
insomnia
grumpy at nothing and everything
withdrawing into myself and not speaking to friends
dreading waking up the following morning

these are just a handful of my symptoms and I can start with just one or they can all seem to come crashing down on me at once.

I am lucky now that one of the girls at work can spot some of my symptoms as well and pulls me to one side.

I try not to drink too much alcohol and never on my own as that makes me worse.

I would go to your docs and see what they say, hopefully you have a very understanding doc.

If you ever need to chat then just pm me on here and I'll give you my number!

Re: Unhappy

Gemma Burden RVN — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:51:07 GMT

As has been said, I think it might be best for you to visit your doctor to rule out depression, or to make sure that you have nothing else going on that is causing you to feel down. As was also said, it sounds as though taking a break from nursing for a while might help you to decide what is best to do, and a less stressful job with more sociable hours and less demands on you could help you to get your head around everything that has been going on at the moment. You might find that you really miss nursing, but then again you might find that another job with animals suits you better, sich as work in a rescue centre or farm park.

Re: Unhappy

FINNIGAN — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:30:10 GMT

it sounds to me that u could be suffering from depresion, y not pop to see your doctor, just for a chat x

Re: Unhappy

Julie-Anne Wilson — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:49:45 GMT

It sucks when you feel this way about a job you thought you'd be in forever.

I hated my last place of work, and apparently they hated me too 'cos I lost the job. But it gave me time to take a break from it all. I drove taxis for 3 years, lol. Something completely unreleated to Vet Nursing and it wasn't until I stepped in to help the local on call service that I decided to get back to it. February this year I got back into full time nursing and I love it.

I guess what I'm saying is, a break can do the world of good. It took me having a break from nursing to realise how much I missed it. It might be that you just have to take a leap and have a break from it. Either the way I did and have a complete break and do nothing animal related or even just getting into another animal job.