I often feel like I wanna get in my car and drive west for hours n hours til I'm out in the middle of nowhere (I live in Australia) where I don't have to see or deal with anyone, and I can breathe...

It depends on how old your son is as to whether this can be worked out. But getting away on your own for sometime to yourself might just be what you need. But it needs to be planned and done with people knowing where you are.

Just running away sounds kind of romantic but when people get worried they do things like calling the police. This can bring an abrupt end to your plans.

My wife has been on ladies only vacations with my daughter and other family members. If she needed time just by herself I would do everything I could to make sure she had it. She has gone by herself to visit her sister in Michigan before.

I've had my times to myself too. But usually I get them in small doses like a day out fishing just by myself. I've taken my mother to see her brother in North Carolina. I live in Florida so the trip there and back would take a couple of days at the least. Of course if I had the time I would stay and visit. Now that my mother is gone I don't get to make those trips anymore.

I hope in telling you about some of my and my wife's experiences you can get some ideas. Looking out for yourself is not selfish. Having to be by yourself is not wrong. With some planning and some cooperation from your husband and your son it is entirely possible to get what you need. Stand your ground and get your " batteries recharged." Your health and well being are as important as anyone elses. All the best to you. ((( Hugs )))

"Just running away sounds kind of romantic but when people get worried they do things like calling the police. This can bring an abrupt end to your plans. "

Oh, I know this so well. My mom called the police when I stopped answering the phone for a few days during a depression and was just on some sort of at-home retreat. Boy, was I embarrassed to answer that door and find the police on the other side of it, and they explained to me that it was very important that I call my mom.

I was 35 years old at the time.

I can relate to this. i have been locking myself away for months now. Luckly my family have no idear. Because they dont contact me. But i have worried a dear friend. who hasnt given up on me. Im home today haveing a duvet day. As dusty kitty says just need time to breath.

I really know how you feel. A couple of months ago, when I was really bad, and not even realizing it, that is how I felt. I love my family with all my heart, but I could hardly stand to be around them. Then you feel the guilt and that just makes things worse.
Now that I am getting things under control with meds, I feel alot better, and can handle situations much better, the little things dont set me off. Stay strong.

It is a result of depression, but I feel like doing the same thing right now. Of course, I have no idea where to run off to, but things are certainly getting near unbearable for me right now. I feel like a stomping ground for people. I am always there for others, but no one is there for me. I feel like I am constantly being taken advantage of, and am damn sick of it.

i expect everyone on here has felt this way.

I live alone so do the whole not taking calls, good or bad my family don't really bother to call often so I get to hide as much as I want.

In my late teens early 20s I use to grab my camping gear and take off for a couple of days at a time. I just needed the absence of human contact for a time do that I could gather my thoughts. In today's world it has become harder to hide with all the ways to communicate and yer the police can get called. I have had people banging on my door in the past and have made a quick exits of the fence just to avoid them.

Wanting to hide and have your own time is perfectly normal when depressed but yer do make sure it's planned so you can get the time and not have people worry about you.

Hugs and take care

Hi, am new to this site, but boy am i glad that i kept searching for some support. To answer the question, i have been feeling like running away for the past couple of days. i have 3 minor children here so i cant do that. My two grown daughters live here too, but lately they have been doing their own thing. I was at a point where i was getting up set with them for carring on with their life when im here in soooo much pain from the depression. But i started to think about them and their future. I dont ever want them to feel this depression, so Ive decided to try and not let them see this pain. One of my daughters walked in on me crying this morning and started asking the whats wrong (i dont know) . I dont want pitty, i want the hurt to stop.