How Do You Know When You're Depressed?

[~*Kathy*~]

Hey girls,

 

I've been going through a lot of stuff lately both professionally and personally (nothing to do with DH and I, thank goodness) and I was wondering if I am seriously depressed. I mean, I don't know how to tell if I am. I just feel so hopeless all the time and I'm rarely truly happy anymore. Most days I feel like nothing is ever going to change or get better for me and I'm often on the verge of tears out of nowhere and I feel like it's out of my control. Should I see my doctor or is it too soon to tell? I'm so frustrated/angry/sad all the time these days and I feel like I don't even recognize myself anymore...

 

What do I do?

[~*DiAnE*~]

Aww *Hugs* that doesn't sound very good!! One of my very good friends was going through almost the exact same thing a few years ago... she was generally very upbeat and everything, then slowly things progressed to the point where she was crying herself to sleep most nights and just didn't feel herself at all.. I think she was very stressed out about life in general and couldn't seem to pick herself back up... Anyways, she ended up going to the doctor.. she went on a mild anti-depressant for quite some time.. and was back to her old self again... eventually she went off them completely.. and she's 100% now. I know she felt like she wasn't "one of those people" who needed that... but when she swallowed her pride (very stubborn girl) she realized that some people just need different things to cope with the stresses of life... be it physical activity, medication, massage therapy etc... I think a lot of people go through what you are feeling at certain points in life, but to different degrees and different solutions work for each individual. I hope you start to feel better

[jk1101]

Awwww...I'm very sorry you're feeling this way...and if you have been going through things in your life that could be causing this, and you're recognizing that there is an issue, by all means, go talk to someone...like a counselor or therapist. Sometimes just talking to someone about how you feel that's not a family member or friend can be a huge help. They can also helo determine if you need medication. As someone who has dealt with depression on and off her entire life, I know that that hopeless feeling is horrible, and you can make it go away and feel better.

Sending you strength and hope from NJ

Michele

[itsfinallyhere]

Hi sweetie,

I am sorry to hear you are going through such a rough time. Let me start by telling you, you are not alone. I have to think that yes you are depressed and definitely need some help. Nobody should be feeling like you do. I understand it was not so long ago I too felt like that. But yes definitely go see your doctor. Talk to somebody anybody. Us if you like.. I promise you all of us will do our best for you. Maybe you are doing too much? Are you eating healthy? Getting enough sleep? Fresh air? Sunshine? Try getting together with some girlfriends that you know always make you laugh. You NEED to laugh. You must be worring yourself over sick about something. There are several great books out there for people to learn to relax and relinquish control (I know these were things I had a hard time with).

 

I will be sending you all my good wishes. May your guardian angel let the sun shine on you.

[JenniferSS]

Any chance that you could be pregnant ?

[~*Kathy*~]

Thanks ladies for lending your support, sharing your experiences with me and keeping me in your prayers/thoughts, that means so much to me.

 

Jennifer - I'd say there's a 99.9% chance that I'm not (bcp and "protection"). But I guess you never know. Do women get depressed during pregnancy? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how it works.

[estella1007]

I don't know if this helps, but did you by any chance just start your birth control, or recently switch brands? I felt like I was depressed for a couple months when I began mine. My DR had me switching constantly for 6 months until I found one that worked for me. I was a psycho for the entire 6 months. I have finally found one that makes me feel like myself again. Could that be it? The only other advice I can give you is make sure you talk about it with someone. The more you let out the frustrations, the better you will feel. My sister has been on every form of anti-depressants in her life, and she is taking some class that helps get to the root of your depression. I have to say, she has never been better. She said it's far better than any pill she ever took, and doesn't want to have to depend on medicine to feel ok. I strongly believe that finding a group of people who can relate to you is such a great support system and can help you understand why you are feeling like this.

[EDRBride2009]

I was feeling like this for a while, so I went to see my doctor. He prescribed me an anti-depressant. Before I started taking it, a friend told me to try exercise first. I did and it made a huge difference! I never ended up filling the prescription. I'm kinda anti-pill after a bad reaction (hallucinations!!)

On the other hand, a friend of mine tried the exercise, didn't work. She was one who was always against pills, but eventually started taking them and has a life again.

Everyone is different, but the main point is that if are not happy right now, anything is worth a try!!

Good luck!!

[sjmacphe]

Hey Kathy,

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling crappy, I think it would definitely be worth while to talk to your GP about your symptoms, it could be another health problem or it could be stress/anxiety/depression. Here are some of the symptoms we are taught in school (I'm in medical school) when assessing a patient for depression: - Changes in sleep, loss interest (ie are you not as interested in doing things you usually enjoy), guilt, lack of energy, reduced ability to concentrate, affect (low mood, ie feeling sad), changes in movement or appetite (up or down), reduced interest in sex and thoughts of suicide.

So...if you have been experiencing a few of these symptoms (ie 5 or more from a list the doctor will screen you for) for at least 2 weeks then you meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. You may benefit from getting medication to get you through this tough time, or you may not - but it would definitely not be a bad idea to be assessed by your physician. All the best.

[JenniferSS]

Yup- a friend of mine was feeling that way, not quite feeling in control, cried easily, overall lethargy and feeling of helplessness& frustration when she went to the Dr for her yearly it ended up being that she was pregnant! It was quite a shock but she found that her mood improved once she figured out what was going on!

 

I would definately go to your dr though and ask for some help figuring it all out- no need feeling badly and if it ends up being a pregnancy you'll want to get started under dr care! But if there is another underlying issue the sooner you seek assistance the quicker you'll get better- Especially if it is depression!