Is this depression?

Question

I'm sad or mad every single day. I find almost nothing enjoyable. I have a really hard time getting up everyday and going to class. I cry at least 4 times a week. I have severe anxiety and worry about really dumb things, such as my stomach making a noise during class, or people staring at me. I eat a lot and have no motivation. Sometimes I think killing myself is truly the only way to fix this.

I saw a counselor, and after 5 sessions, she told me I was ok and there was not much wrong with me.

I also have no sex drive, and get really angry at the littlest things.

Answer 1

Hello there,

I'm sorry to hear about some of the things you've been going through in your daily life. But, I really feel I can give you some good advice because I've been through the very same things you're talking about.

First, let me tell you, I'm just an average person who has struggled with the very same things you're going through. I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, but they don't always have the answers & sometimes they can make your problems worse by showing a lack of compassion when you come to them for help or by not treating your problems with the respect or concern that they deserve (even if they don't know how to help you).

Just from the symptons you've described above, it sounds like you are suffering from depression & anxiety. I've stuggled with both for years, but now I have them both under control.

I've been on medication, I've read several books & I have done extensive research on the web & out of all of this, the one thing that I found to be truly helpful (for me) is "cognitive therapy". This is a very effective treatment & several studies show that this alone has been known to be more effective than medication & counseling.

Cognitive therapy is simply changing the way you think. Sometimes we can have distorted thoughts, which characterize depression & anxiety, without even knowing it. Sometimes people like myself can have very negative thoughts but not realize that they're negative because we're so used to them.

Another words, those negative thoughts have probably always been there (even through childhood) but they're just now starting to take effect, which is what may be causing you're depression & anxiety. Don't get me wrong, if you do have negative or distorted thoughts, more than likely, it's not your fault. We usually develope these thoughts from the way other people have treated us or talked to us.

These thoughts effect our mood which can cause you to wake up in the morning & feel angry or sad, without knowing why & it can cause you to break out in tears, which may leave you feeling confused because you don't know why you're crying, other than the fact that you feel really sad or heartbroken.

Listen, I can go on & on, because there's so much to say about this treatment, but if you are interested in cognitive therapy or would a least like to try it, I would be willing to send you some of my tapes on cognitive therapy & you could keep them for yourself & try it.

Even if it doesn't take your symptoms away completely, I promise it will help you in some way. It's worth a try, right? And also, I'm not trying to sell you anything. I'll even pay to have the tapes shipped to you, if you are interested in them.

And, I understand that different things work for different people & I'm not putting medication down in the least, but it did not work for me & I tried several different medications before deciding to get off them completely, because I was unhappy with the results.

If you would like to contact me personally, you can e-mail me at [e-mail].

Blessings!! Teresa

Answer 2

Everything you wrote are tell-tale signs of major depression, and anxiety, the two usually go hand-in-hand. I've had plenty of experience with both. The only way out from the place you are in that I know of is to go back to the doctor's office. Now you saw a counselor you said, but was this person just a "therapist" or an actual "psychologist?" Psychologists are generally better than a social worker or just plain old counselor cos they went to mental health school for longer, if you have insurance and can afford it go to your regular doctor and ask for a referral. Now, what you had to say also suggests that you may need some medication for the anxiety and depression, it sounds like it's penetrated just about every aspect of your life just across the board, this usually means your body has a chemical predisposition towards depression and anxiety. As for both of these doctors, ESPECIALLY the psychologist, must be someone that you like working with, and often you will have to "shop around" for a therapist until you find one who gets you. The counselor you saw doesn't sound very good to me. Try another one. What you wrote sounds very much like something I could have written when I was in high school and college, I was pretty bad too. Since then I found a good psychologist who I see twice a week and I take medicine and I am doing better than I ever thought was possible, you can get through this without killing yourself, I'm sorry you feel that hopeless, I remember that too. Good luck.

Also, to educate yourself I suggest reading about anxiety and depression on Wikipedia.com

Answer 3

I can't really say yes or no because I find myself feeling the same way at times, or maybe a lot of the time. Try finding some kind of release or something you find joy in. For me, it's music. Whatever you do, suicide is not the way to go, it does often seem like the best way out but there's always a better way to over come. Seeing a doctor could be beneficial but all they'll do is ask you questions and give you some pill that'll only take away the feelings for a while, then they'll come back.

You could also try thinking of what it is that may be causing you to be so down. This may not be much help but I wish you the best. :)

Answer 4

Depression is a state of mind. Tell yourself every night before you go to sleep that you will wake up feeling wonderful, happy and refreshed. When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself that today will be a wonderful day. Look at yourself in the mirror at least once a day and tell yourself 'I love you, you are a wonderful person'.

Make sure you are eating a good, healthy diet, with regular meal times and lots of fruit and veg. Maybe also take a good multi-vitamin regularly until you feel better.

Go out running every day for an hour or join up with an exercise class or gym. Not only will you be fitter and happier, but you will also get to mix with lots of fit and happy people too :) Yoga is excellent because not only do you get fit and more flexible, but it also helps to relieve stress and negative emotions. You may not feel like exercising but you have to force yourself and I guarantee you will feel better.

Give yourself some me time .. even for half an hour every day. Just switch off by going for a walk and taking in the fresh air, meditating or even just lying in a nice, warm bath with some soothing music and candles. You could also try treating yourself to some of the alternative therapies .. reflexology, reiki, massage, etc .. as they also help to release all the negative emotions that are causing you to feel like this.

Get yourself some St John's Wort from the drug store or health food store and take these on a regular basis until you feel better. If you feel yourself getting anxious sometimes, then also buy some Bach's rescue remedy and whenever you're feeling anxious, just put a few drops under your tongue.

A counsellor didn't help and unfortunately the only thing a doctor can do is put you on anti-depressants, however, this only serves to block the emotions but does not cure them and they are also very addictive with side effects.

You have the power within you to change your life around. I used to be sad or mad every day too. Please know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, provided you are willing to follow it.

http://www.freewebs.com/spiritualhealing

Answer 5

Sounds like a mixture of depression & anxiety disorder possibly. If I were you & had the insurance I would definitely make an appointment with a psychologist and then if he thought it necessary he would refer you to a psychiatrist. Don't play games with mental disorders! They'll turn around & bite you every time!! Believe me, I know, I suffer from bipolar & anxiety disorder with mixed rapid cycling depression & mania.! Good luck and God bless. I hope you get some help!

Answer 6

it kinda sounds like it to me. Talk to your doctor. I was feeling reallly moody and got sad really easily, I had a hard time getting up in the morning and I didn't enjoy stuff I used to like to do. He prescribed a low dose anti-depressant and it really has helped "even me out". It's not a forever thing but it's helping me get over this bump in the road.

Answer 7

Sweetie, well done for seeing a counsellor, but I think that one you saw needs to be sacked. See another one, one who will listen to you and help you through this hard time. Whether or not you are depressed (and I think that you are) you obviously have enough issues to justify getting some psychological guidance.
I saw three counsellors when I was depressed and the combination of the three of them worked for me. You just have to keep trying to find the one that works for you, and keep striving to get through these difficult times.
Contact me if you want to talk at anytime- I don't have IM but you are welcome to email me.
Good luck honey!

Answer 8

I would say you are depressed, but I think it is caused by anxiety. Can I recommend a program that may help you? They offer free short coaching sessions each day. www.peaceplusprogram.com

Answer 9

yes...it sounds like you are depressed. your counselor was probably wrong when she said that. everything that u just explained seems a lot like major depression, or clinical depression. it's really tough. have u thought about seeing a doctor for this? there is help out there...u should talk to ur dr. but, it definately sounds like major depression. you know, a good idea would be to go online, do a search for "major depression", and take an online depression quiz. once u've taken the quiz, print it out and show the results to your doctor..i did this, and it was easier for me to talk about it with my dr..good luck !

Answer 10

You either have an anxiety disorder or depression. Talk to your physician about this, and see if he/she will put you on a lower-dose anti-depressant. Killing yourself is not the way to solve the problem-- believe me, I know.