Depression

LegacyUser

I'm sorry because I know there's been a million threads like this here in the past, but I just need to put this out there myself. I'm going unregged because I don't want people I know here to recognise me. The thing is, I think I might be suffering from depression. The tiniest thing can set me off and I'll start crying. It may not even be a particularly sad thing, but I see the sad part to it. Anything from a sentence in a book to an ad on tv and so much more can set me off. This comes and goes. It lasts for a few weeks and then I'll be fine again for a while. On top of that, I never get excited about anything anymore. It takes all my energy to even leave the house. I'm constantly lethargic and could sleep all day and still feel tired. I don't really notice it when I'm surrounded by friends and my mind is occupied but it's strong when I'm on my own and bored, and worse at nighttime. There are times when I feel like I'm just going through the motions and that there's no point to life. I've never seriously considered suicide though because I couldn't do that to my family and friends.

The problem is I don't know who to talk to about this. I'm afraid they'll tell me I'm overreacting and that it's just hormones. This could be true, but I'm afraid people would just jump to that conclusion only and dismiss me. My brother suffered from depression for years so I'm afraid my parents will just think that I'm "copying" him or something and I've got a new doctor who I'm not sure I feel comfortable talking to yet. I'm 18 and female. Any advice?

Victor

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe you're just having a rough time.

We don't do diagnosis here, but some of the symptoms might be consistant with depression, although doctors are slow to diagnose teenagers as depressed rather than hormonal, anxious, etc. There are specific criteria that must be present to be diagnosed as depressed, - you need to rate 5 out of 10 possible symptoms, but you only suggest 2-3.

I suggest you talk to your GP and he should be able to recommend someone. Alternatively if you are in school / college there might be a counsellor that you could talk to.

But do talk to someone and do something to treat yourself. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054870827

democrates

The fact that tv or what not triggers you to feel upset may suggest some unresolved issue(s) within yourself. The pain you are feeling is likely to be your own, bottled up, and the human brain being a problem solver makes a conection between the sad story you watch and your internal pain, causing it to come to the surface.
Could be something from your past which you haven't dealt with yet, or fear of the future. When you look back on your life does it make you sad, or are you happy with the direction your life is going in?

meow

This comes and goes. It lasts for a few weeks and then I'll be fine again for a while.

The fact that this happens suggests that maybe it is a hormonal thing- and I don't say that flippantly- trust me, I curse being female most months because simple little hormones play major havoc with me.

Have you tried maybe recording these episodes to see if they are regular or tie in with your cycle?

Woman tend to be more sympathic if this is what actually is the problem so having a female dr is a good thing even though you don't know her terribly well. I'd get into see her, only a dr can really tell you what's going on and eliminate other causes.

Evening Primrose can be prescribed and if you go to a health food store they can recommend other remedies.

If none of those work, then you might be looking at depression.
I used to suffer very badly from it but now take one med a day and no one would ever think there was anything wrong!

I guess what I'm trying to say is, there is help but you have to ask for it first.
There's no need to live in your own private torment when the remedy is there.

Please take that first step.

AngryBadger

As Victor has said school counsellor or GP is a pretty god idea, but you say you're uncomfortable with your new doctor, so maybe scool counsellor is the way to go.

A lot of times people find theire emotions seem to just go out of control whe they're under a lot of stress. You say you're 18, would I be right in thinking you might be looking at the leaving cert?

If not the LC, then is there something causing you stress lately? Lately could be the last few months, or longer. If there's something that you haven't addressed previously this crying for no apparent reason may be your bodys' way of trying to vent some pent up stuff.

After they've poured their heart out to someone, (and often had a good cry),I often hear people say it feels like they've just lanced a boil. Maybe there's bit of old pressure/stress here and it needs to be vented.

What I would say is a lot of peple find themselves in this situation, so don't think you're alone in this experience.

McGinty

I went through a two year depression from 16 to 18, although at the time I was unaware of its name, it did pertain to my situation at the time and some past issues, but I had similar symptoms to what you mentioned, also your monthly cycle could affect your mood as well. Like Meow suggested keep a check on your monthly cycle, it is a known fact that prior to menstuation women can get depressed or PMS. Again like others suggested have a chat with your doctor or a counsellor.

The_B_Man

****! im kinda like that! i better not have issues!!! wait, u break up wit a GF recently? duz it mostly happen wen ur drunk? i swear to god! its women! they're the devil! just sayt "**** it!" its the only way! why waste ur life! thats how im dealin with it!

Nalz

She's female so I doubt she's havin gf probs!

I think some of us, if not all go through bad patches in life. Some react badly, others learn to deal with it, others let it eat themselves up. I think writing things down, finding out within yourself whats wrong or where the problem (iif any) lies and face up/come to terms with it. Life is too short. time is tickin away as we speak. Take time out and sort it out logically in your own head. Sounds shiit advice but it may work. get out a pen, list pros/cons in your life and figure it out

get mates around, talk to some good friend about it. try to enjoy yourself. even if ya cant be arsed to do stuff make an effort. keep active and stay smilin!

The_B_Man

female u say?

on the rebound u say?

hehe

PM sent!

Victor

Behave!

The_B_Man wrote:

female u say? on the rebound u say? hehe PM sent!

Is that your girlfriend in the picture on myspace? :v:

X-SL

I think your all right You are able to be with your friends and be happy. Once your not forcing yourself to that's probably the best sign that your grand.

oh and I never get exicited about things either, wonder why that is..

LegacyUser

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. A day or two after I posted that, the feelings kind of went away. The whole thing has been happening for years but looking at it rationally right now, I'm thinking it probably is just hormones.

democrates- Your reply really interested me. I have been noticing a pattern in the things that upset me, specifically the thought of other people feeling lonely and being alone, so maybe that's something I'm afraid of without realising it.

AngryBadger- I'm in first year at Uni but I did move to Scotland and leave everything and everyone behind so that could have contributed to it. When I posted my message, I knew I'd be leaving to go back to Scotland in several days so that might have been upsetting me. As it is, I'm back there now and I'm fine on the whole.

Everyone else- cheers for taking the time to reply, you've helped me put things into perspective. I might still go have a chat with my doctor but I'm pretty sure it's not depression now

Victor

democrates wrote:

The fact that tv or what not triggers you to feel upset may suggest some unresolved issue(s) within yourself.

TV brings a lot of emotions and different "experiences" into your living room, whether you are watching the news, a movie or a soap.

b3t4

Please don't just write this off as hormones.

I too have problems in this area. I spoke with my doctor about it. She was saying that in America doctors can prescribe anti-depressants for hormonal related depression but in Ireland they can't. She suggested I take some supplements such as evening primrose.

Have a chat with your doctor and see what they can do for you. If you find that your doctor doesn't give you a satisfactory answer and you live in the Dublin area please PM me and I can give you the details of the doctor I attend.

democrates

Hi depressed, glad to hear you're back in the pink in bonnie scotland (i heard mars bar in batter has replaced haggis as the national favourite:eek:).

Whether depression comes and goes again and whatever the cause and cure, in parallel you might find it beneficial to check out some of the excellent life coaching books on amazon containing top tips on equipping yourself for long term contentment in life. They have tried and tested methods for increasing your sense of wellbeing, and knowing you can look forward to more of the same is pretty sweet.

bt34 might also be on to something. I don't beleve in a pill for every ill, but there is no denying that the presence or absence of a certain molecule in one's nutrition has been shown to lead to surprising symptoms. Exercise is a great refresher, even a walk in the park at lunchtime with some buddies.

The most important thing is that you're keeping an eye on yourself, and are willing to take steps to resolve any issues that arise. Best of luck and regards to nessie.