Is it just depression...??

Question

I am having things like depression for a while now but i try and avoid a visit to the doc as i kinda feel shy to go and tell the doc that i am depressed and stuff.

I actually donno if the symptoms are just for depression or do i have some other issues as well. I always feel low and i am always concerned about my family living overseas. I always have negative feeling (Once in a while i become ok and all the negative feelings go away.) I always pull away myself from talking to people at work.

I have never seen a doc before for this as i tried and avoid it.

So is it any thing else apart from depression...?? (Guess its high time to see a Doc :(

No i dont sleep a lot. 6-7 hours a day

Answer 1

Oh honey, please don't avoid the Dr. You sound exactly like me with the avoiding people, and hoping it will get better when this happens or that happens. This went on for years. Life would get better and life would get worse. Depression would get better and worse but never go for long until I finally got meds. I have bipolar but it is not a "death" sentence. Medication can turn your life completely around. You can get your life back. That sounds like a Wellbutrin commercial but I know it's true because I've been there.

First go to an MD and get completely checked out. Second see a Psychiatrist for an evaluation. I strongly suggest seeing a private practitioner and avoiding public mental health centers for meds. They are usually too busy to be a good source for meds. But they are an excellent resource for therapy, support groups and patient education.

If it is clinical depression/bipolar, it won't go away. And to say that depression is "all in your head" is like saying that brain tumors are all in your head. Yes, it is in your head and yes it is real and it is causing real medical problems. Their is no shame. People who would belittle you are always way more messed up than you. They are just pissed because they are too chicken to confront their problems. They don't like that you are making them look bad. And just because you have never had a crazy high, mortgage the house and blow all the money in Vegas type episode, it does not mean that you are not bipolar. This used to be one of my excuses for denying that I was bipolar. Their are different kinds.

These links below are for organizations that have been particularly helpful to me. Their are local support groups, classes and Dr. referral services.

http://www.nami.org/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Depression is a continued state of feeling very low; the fact that you say you come up from it once in a while indicates, to me, that you are not clinically depressed. Sadness, the feeling of lowness you get when someone says an unkind word to you or deeper if a close loved one dies, is normal and is not depression.

Remember how you feel when you are OK as you say.Recreate the activities and thoughts of those periods. That may bring you up out of your low. It may be hard because "the sads" cause one to think negatively and that causes one to stay sad. Try not to think negatively about your family.

First, though, find out by trying the search mode of yahoo for "depression" and see if you really are clinically depressed. If you think you are you should see a psychologist or other therapist. But they can be expensive and they often put you on meds which many do not like.

Answer 3

If you have depression you will have to see a doc for treatment. A phycologist.

Yes, I do believe you have some symptoms of depression. anti-social behiavior, negative thoughts, Anxious

Symptoms;

1) Depressed Mood
A person may report feeling "sad" or "empty" or may cry frequently. Children and adolescents may exhibit irritability.

2) Decreased Interest or Pleasure
A person may show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.

3) Weight Changes
Significant changes in weight when not attempting to gain or lose (a gain or loss of 5% or more in a month) may be indicative of depression. In children, this may also present as a failure to make expected weight gains.

4) Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia or sleeping too much may be a symptom of depression

5) Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation
The person may be observed to be either agitated and restless or physically slowed down in their movements.

6) Fatigue
Deep fatigue or a loss of energy is a symptom of depression.

7) Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt
A depressed person may feel that they have no value or they may feel inappropriately guilty about things they have no control over.

8) "Brain Fog"
A depressed person may have a diminished ability to think, concentrate or make decisions.

9) Thoughts of Death
A depressed person may have recurring thoughts of death, especially thoughts of suicide, with or without a specific plan.

Answer 4

Well gee with what is going on overseas now aday, i would be worried too. And that could be part of what you are feeling too, and it is causing stress in your life, which can become depression. You really need not to be shy over talking to a doctor over this, cause it is something that is really bothering you, and it is a good thing that you have even thought about talking to a doctor. It could go deeper then your family living over seas, but i guess you know by now the only really true way you are going to get the right answer is go to your doctor and talk to him about it, Or you can call a crisis line and ask them , they are usually licensed therapist. So it is really up to you, if you really want to keep feeling like this or go and talk to your doctor, or someone in this line of work that can give you a true answer. I wish you the best with this.

Answer 5

Well it can be some kind of depression, but also all the stress you might have from all the family not being there with you. Much more it can be loneliness? You should try to be more sociable because if your not your depression might sink lower. Find yourself a hobbie to do. If that doesn't work your goign to need a little help from your psycologist (anti- depressants) Hey you better get help before it gets any worse.

Answer 6

Depression comes in many degrees You could be suffering from mild depression.

You never know what it is till you see a professional.

I think you should get help before it becomes worse.

Answer 7

Hey there

dont be scared to see your docter. Lot people discus this stuff with teh GP.

If you dont want to see your reguler docter see another one who doent know you and you odnt him and hav a REALLy good chat about things.

Or book yourself in to seeing a counseler or sumthing like that.

Answer 8

Do you sleep a lot? Try not to sleep a lot. It makes things worse. And I would see your doctor about this before things get worse.