Thanks for your help. I have contacted the local Volunteer Centre, Hurdity, and hoping to get a voluntary job through them. I found that raising the dose of ADs has helped me to at least, become active enough to consider getting a job in the first place!
Re: managing my depression: it seems to be very difficult to get any sort of psychiatric treatment these days. All too often people like myself are dumped on the GP service. I've only ever seen a junior psychiatrist once. She put me on 20mg of Escitalopram following an acute episode 3 years ago. I only got to see her because I ended up in A&E with a severe panic attack. I've struggled with depression for years - without any treatment. Following the panic attack, I was put on 10mg by my GP despite the recommendation for 20mg. I did not push the point as I had heard that Escitalopram causes palpitations at higher doses. After six months on it, the GP wanted to lower the dose and wean me off but I refused and, instead, just went down to 5mg which I have been on ever since. So, now when I up the dose I am only going up to the normal dose, anyway.
Re: HRT - I am so glad to be rid of my monthly periods that I do not want to give them any encouragement to come back again. So, I think that I will give HRT a miss for the time-being! I am enjoying the break!
