Has anyone been diagnosed with depression?

[shocksyde]

I'm an avid reader of these forums, but don't post much.

I won't bore anyone with back story, but I'm worried that there's something wrong with me and I can't figure out what. I know most people will say "go see a professional", but I'd like to get some input from my peers first. I'm probably just scared to hear what a professional would say.

I'll just list some things that happen to me and don't make sense:

1. Everytime I go to sleep I lie there for 30 min or more thinking about my life, with my heart racing. Sometimes I'm afraid I'm having a panic attack everytime i try to sleep. However, I always end up falling asleep fine and sleeping well. I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

2. My father has been in and out of the hospital for 2 years. He's currently in and will be through the holidays. I've been in to see him once and CANNOT go back. I know he needs my support but I just can't do it. I don't know why.

3. My father has an extensive history of alcohol abuse, and is diabetic. He's killing himself and seems to refuse to do anything about it. There have been periods of years where I wouldn't even talk to him besides short responses to his questions. This is all while living with him. I no longer do.

4. There are a ton of things that I NEED to do, yet don't. One example: Go to the MVA and get my address changed on my license. I KNOW I need to do it, but I just don't. There are many simple things like this that I fail to do for no reason.

5. I get home from work and never do anything during the week. I tell my friends it's because I don't like doing things during the week, but for some reason I think I'm lying to myself.

6. I struggle to spend any time doing things I enjoy. I've been doing better with getting back into photography, but I feel like it's not enough. I spend hardly any time with friends, I avoid going out even on weekends. I do sometimes just to see friends, but I usually don't have any fun.

I'll leave it at that because I'm tired of typing. I don't want to make the post too long cause I feel like nobody will read it.

So, in conclusion, I guess I just want to know if anyone can relate to these feelings/circumstances. I'm being pretty vague and nonsensical, i know, but I just had to get these feelings down on "paper". I don't even know what answer I'm looking for.

One major point I need to make: I'm not suicidal in any way. I've never wanted to die.

 

[tweakmm]

Dude, you need to see a professional if you really think you have a problem and since you said you were scared of what a professional would say you probably need to see one. Possibly a psychologist(one who doesn't have a medical degree) just to help you with the issues you obviously have. A psychiatrist is guaranteed to put you on some crazy drug.

Or stop being a pussy and man up to your life. http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/do-it-now.htm

/thread

 

[moshquerade]

Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.
If your family doctor determines it's needed have him/her refer you to a counselor.

I think you need some professional counseling. you've realized there are problems now so take the next step, do the right thing, and seek help.

Chin up.

 

[animalia]

Yeah two years ago I was diagnosed with moderate depression. Sounds like you have the same thing I did. I went on prozac for 11 months and had the doctor ween me off. I would say that I have mild to no depression now. I saw a psychiatrist for 2 months. it was too expensive so I just had my regular doctor prescribe the medication. I started with 10mg and then went to 20 mg which is the entry level dosage. Medication treats symptoms it doesn't cure depression. I recommend medicaiton, not forever but temporarily to get yourself back on track. There is no shame in taking medication. If you broke your arm, then wouldn't you want some aspirin? Same idea.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: animalia
There is no shame in taking medication.

True.

If you broke your arm, then wouldn't you want some aspirin? Same idea.

You are really stretching with this.

Equating the three pound neuro-chemical electrical mesh that is the brain with a broken bone is, well, stretching it.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.

You, of all people, should know how prescription happy the whole of the medical community is.

A prescription to anti-depressants is pretty much standard nowadays.

 

[aidanjm]

it does sound like you are not in a "good place". maybe you do have depression, and maybe a doctor might be tempted to put you on antidepressant medication. Which might or might not be beneficial. It seems like what you really need to do is begin to deal with some of the issues that are troubling you. A counsellor, GP, or psychologist might be able to help you. Even forcing yourself to talk about some of this stuff with one of your friends (who you trust) might be helpful.

 

[Aimster]

When you go on depression pills if your nipples start to burn stop taking them ASAP.

Switch to another medication

 

[monk3y]

Just letting you know that I also go through what you do before you go to bed. Over the past few months I've been avoiding it by reading myself to sleep. I don't know if it's a good thing to avoid thinking about my life but in essence that is what I'm doing. Mindless TV works some nights too. Also I know you said you're into photography. Are there any parks/nature type areas around where you live? I tend to enjoy hiking and clearing my mind of life once in a while and it helps keep me balanced. You should give that a shot if you would be interested in that.

I'm just wondering some things, you don't have to answer them if you don't want to. Is there a reason you don't enjoy hanging out with your friends? Is there a certain friend that makes the situation bad?

 

[Whisper]

All of the advice in this thread thus far has been good. Even if you don't have depression, that doesn't necessarily mean that talking to a professional wouldn't help. You don't need a diagnosis for therapy to have a positive effect. The important part would be finding someone whom you trust, and whose style is compatible with you. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors all have different amounts and types of training, and generally implement different amounts and types of treatment (both compared to one another, and to others in their own field). If you do decide to speak with one, which I would recommend, and you don't like him/her, there's absolutely nothing wrong with switching to someone else.

The only slight correction I'll make to one of the posts above is this: in some states (i.e. New Mexico and Louisiana at the moment are the only two of which I know), Psychologists are now able to prescribe medication after completing a supplementary Master's degree in psychopharmacology. There are something like a dozen or so other states with similar legislation in the works, but everyone's waiting to see what happens mainly around here (LA).

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Whisper
The only slight correction I'll make to one of the posts above is this: in some states (i.e. New Mexico and Louisiana at the moment are the only two of which I know), Psychologists are now able to prescribe medication after completing a supplementary Master's degree in psychopharmacology. There are something like a dozen or so other states with similar legislation in the works, but everyone's waiting to see what happens mainly around here (LA).

You learn something new every day. There's gotta be some limit to the scope of drugs they can prescribe right?

 

[shocksyde]

Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it. I'll look into seeing someone, it couldn't hurt.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: Whisper
The only slight correction I'll make to one of the posts above is this: in some states (i.e. New Mexico and Louisiana at the moment are the only two of which I know), Psychologists are now able to prescribe medication after completing a supplementary Master's degree in psychopharmacology. There are something like a dozen or so other states with similar legislation in the works, but everyone's waiting to see what happens mainly around here (LA).

You learn something new every day. There's gotta be some limit to the scope of drugs they can prescribe right?

It only applies to psychotropic medications (anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, etc.). So a Psychologist couldn't go and give you antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, no.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

yeah man, look into getting some help. I did and it worked out for the best.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: shocksyde
I'm an avid reader of these forums, but don't post much.

I won't bore anyone with back story, but I'm worried that there's something wrong with me and I can't figure out what. I know most people will say "go see a professional", but I'd like to get some input from my peers first. I'm probably just scared to hear what a professional would say.

I'll just list some things that happen to me and don't make sense:

1. Everytime I go to sleep I lie there for 30 min or more thinking about my life, with my heart racing. Sometimes I'm afraid I'm having a panic attack everytime i try to sleep. However, I always end up falling asleep fine and sleeping well. I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

2. My father has been in and out of the hospital for 2 years. He's currently in and will be through the holidays. I've been in to see him once and CANNOT go back. I know he needs my support but I just can't do it. I don't know why.

3. My father has an extensive history of alcohol abuse, and is diabetic. He's killing himself and seems to refuse to do anything about it. There have been periods of years where I wouldn't even talk to him besides short responses to his questions. This is all while living with him. I no longer do.

4. There are a ton of things that I NEED to do, yet don't. One example: Go to the MVA and get my address changed on my license. I KNOW I need to do it, but I just don't. There are many simple things like this that I fail to do for no reason.

5. I get home from work and never do anything during the week. I tell my friends it's because I don't like doing things during the week, but for some reason I think I'm lying to myself.

6. I struggle to spend any time doing things I enjoy. I've been doing better with getting back into photography, but I feel like it's not enough. I spend hardly any time with friends, I avoid going out even on weekends. I do sometimes just to see friends, but I usually don't have any fun.

I'll leave it at that because I'm tired of typing. I don't want to make the post too long cause I feel like nobody will read it.

So, in conclusion, I guess I just want to know if anyone can relate to these feelings/circumstances. I'm being pretty vague and nonsensical, i know, but I just had to get these feelings down on "paper". I don't even know what answer I'm looking for.

One major point I need to make: I'm not suicidal in any way. I've never wanted to die.

you have anxiety.

take Paxil

as for not motivated to change the address of your license... WTFBBQ?

do you go shopping for food? do you do your laundry?

 

[shocksyde]

Doing laundry and stuff like that I used to slack on but I've been much better recently. I used to be pretty bad at personal hygiene as well, but I'm much better with that as well.

I've recognized in the past 6 months that there's something wrong with me and have made SOME strides to get better, and have succeeded. But, like I said in my post, there are several things that don't seem to want to go away.

Edit: And for the guy who told me to stop being a pussy - What the hell? Thanks for the great advice.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: Whisper
The only slight correction I'll make to one of the posts above is this: in some states (i.e. New Mexico and Louisiana at the moment are the only two of which I know), Psychologists are now able to prescribe medication after completing a supplementary Master's degree in psychopharmacology. There are something like a dozen or so other states with similar legislation in the works, but everyone's waiting to see what happens mainly around here (LA).

You learn something new every day. There's gotta be some limit to the scope of drugs they can prescribe right?

It only applies to psychotropic medications (anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, etc.). So a Psychologist couldn't go and give you antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, no.

But there is some heavily scheduled stuff that's psychotrophic.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: shocksyde
Edit: And for the guy who told me to stop being a pussy - What the hell? Thanks for the great advice.

I actually did give you good advice, see a professional or man up to your life. You see obvious and easily correctable faults in your way of living and yet are too scared or whatever to do anything about them. That link that I posted after I said that might change your life.

I hate to break it to you buddy, but life isn't all sunshine and puppy dogs, sometimes you need a good smack in the face to put reality in perspective.

 

[Praxis1452]

anxiety IS depression... go see a psychotherapist. Psychiatry in my opinion cures problems with medicine. See someone who will help you through them. Take the medicine for now but still see someone and talk about it.

I have suffered bouts of depression in the past. Mine were short and I've gotten them maybe 3 times for around 2 weeks to 4 days.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: Whisper
The only slight correction I'll make to one of the posts above is this: in some states (i.e. New Mexico and Louisiana at the moment are the only two of which I know), Psychologists are now able to prescribe medication after completing a supplementary Master's degree in psychopharmacology. There are something like a dozen or so other states with similar legislation in the works, but everyone's waiting to see what happens mainly around here (LA).

You learn something new every day. There's gotta be some limit to the scope of drugs they can prescribe right?

It only applies to psychotropic medications (anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, etc.). So a Psychologist couldn't go and give you antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, no.

But there is some heavily scheduled stuff that's psychotrophic.

This is very true, which is why it requires an additional 2+ years on top of the 5+ already required for a Ph.D. to be licensed to prescribe.

Two other things: the information given by the OP isn't enough for a diagnosis of anxiety (or just about anything else for that matter), especially considering that many of the symptoms of anxiety and depression can seem very similar.

Also, if someone is in fact suffering from depression, even though they may know they need to "man up" and change something, part of the disorder itself is the inability to do so. That's what makes it such a devastating condition. It's sort of like when you've just had your heart broken by an ex...you know you shouldn't talk to her, that there are plenty of other women out there, etc., but you can't seem to make yourself believe it, nor can you make the thoughts of the two of you together stop rushing through your head. It's tricky stuff sometimes.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Praxis1452
anxiety IS depression... go see a psychotherapist. Psychiatry in my opinion cures problems with medicine. See someone who will help you through them. Take the medicine for now but still see someone and talk about it.

I have suffered bouts of depression in the past. Mine were short and I've gotten them maybe 3 times for around 2 weeks to 4 days.

Anxiety and depression are two very different (albeit sometimes related) conditions, although as I mentioned in my previous post, some of the symptoms can be quite similar. The methods used to treat them can, at times, also be similar, depending on the particular maladaptive process at work.

 

[monk3y]

BTW exercise has improved my life a LOT!!! I know it's probably ridiculously cold where you are located right now but try to get active. You will feel good about your body and trust me, your mind likes having a happy body.

 

[datalink7]

Some people are depressed because they let themselves be. I know because I used to be one of those people. I used to do stuff like go outside in the middle of the night in the pouring rain and sit there for hours (and generally get sick) because I was depressed. Untill one day in my sophomore year of college I decided being sad and depressed all the time was stupid. Since that day whenever I start to feel sad I can just tell myself "knock it off" and the feeling goes away (note this is for random feelings of sadness, not for something like a friend dying).

Some people do have a clinical condition and I won't try to diagnose you as I'm not a professional. However, I'd ask anyone who gets depressed to try to see if they can work themselves out of it like I did before getting on drugs or spending a lot of money on psychological help.

 

[cheesehead]

The following posts are correct 100%. As someone who has himself suffered from depression, I can verify both.

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.
If your family doctor determines it's needed have him/her refer you to a counselor.

I think you need some professional counseling. you've realized there are problems now so take the next step, do the right thing, and seek help.

Chin up.

This is correct. A combination of one-on-one and (often less expensive) group therapy is a good idea. Often, group therapy can consist of going bowling; having a $200-an-hour PHD present is not necessary. (In fact, going bowling was suggested by my doc simply because she was booked constantly.)

Also, no medication is right for everyone. If a medication does not work after roughly four weeks, try a new one. Also, note the side effects - some drugs will make you go to sleep very quickly, while others are stimulants.

Originally posted by: Whisper

Two other things: the information given by the OP isn't enough for a diagnosis of anxiety (or just about anything else for that matter), especially considering that many of the symptoms of anxiety and depression can seem very similar.

Also, if someone is in fact suffering from depression, even though they may know they need to "man up" and change something, part of the disorder itself is the inability to do so. That's what makes it such a devastating condition. It's sort of like when you've just had your heart broken by an ex...you know you shouldn't talk to her, that there are plenty of other women out there, etc., but you can't seem to make yourself believe it, nor can you make the thoughts of the two of you together stop rushing through your head. It's tricky stuff sometimes.

Bingo.

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: shocksyde
Edit: And for the guy who told me to stop being a pussy - What the hell? Thanks for the great advice.

I actually did give you good advice, see a professional or man up to your life. You see obvious and easily correctable faults in your way of living and yet are too scared or whatever to do anything about them. That link that I posted after I said that might change your life.

I hate to break it to you buddy, but life isn't all sunshine and puppy dogs, sometimes you need a good smack in the face to put reality in perspective.

Fvck you.

Life is not all sunshine and puppy dogs, but it sure as heck does'nt hurt to be able to see them. I know a guy who works for as much as ten hours a day on repairing cars - but he loves his work, loves his wife, and while his life has been hard, he enjoys it the best he can.

On the other hand, I suffered bouts of depression with straight A's, a girlfriend, and a sucessful side job. I had it made, technically, but I was not exacty happy nonetheless.


And now, for my short, concise advice:

Just keep moving. Things can't usually get any worse. Your father is not your concern - just tell him how you're feeling, and what you think of his slowly killing himself. Go out and do things silly and fun - I highly reccomend air hockey and, if you can play it, Dance Dance Revolution in an arcade.

 

[cheesehead]

oops-double post!