Diagnosed with severe depression
- Thread starter Ultimale
- Start date
So someone else knows your mood better than you do? Or is 'clinical' depression clinical only because we have medications to sell for it? Why not 'clinical' anger, loneliness, disappointment, regret, etc? Everyone I've ever known who is depressed could list a few things - even if they weren't realistic, like bringing a parent back from the dead or something - that would make them happy. Figuring that out for yourself will do you a lot more good than considering yourself a passive victim to a supposedly neurological or psychiatric disease or whatever.
^^^Thanks for the supportive tone.
It's not that my counselor knows my mood better than I do. It's that he's able to help me me to recognize the patterns and the signs.
Anger, self-loathing, being withdrawn, bitterness, apathy, being tired often, lashing out at people in my life (both at home and in the real world)...these were all things I saw as part of my anxiety.
Instead, it's depression. I'm already on meds, so it's not like my counselor is getting anything by this diagnosis. I just started going back to him after years of being on my own and taking meds prescribed by my MD.
It's not that my counselor knows my mood better than I do. It's that he's able to help me me to recognize the patterns and the signs.
Anger, self-loathing, being withdrawn, bitterness, apathy, being tired often, lashing out at people in my life (both at home and in the real world)...these were all things I saw as part of my anxiety.
Instead, it's depression. I'm already on meds, so it's not like my counselor is getting anything by this diagnosis. I just started going back to him after years of being on my own and taking meds prescribed by my MD.
Were you already on meds for minor depression? Did the counselor say anything about the meds contributing to the major depression?
I have General Anxiety Disorder, and take meds for minor depression. Got it from both of my parents (yay, thanks!). They've told me to stay on top of taking my medication so it doesn't worsen to major depression.
But another factor is whether you get to the right meds or combo of meds during a minor depression.
Best of luck, God knows you need as much support as you can get.
I have General Anxiety Disorder, and take meds for minor depression. Got it from both of my parents (yay, thanks!). They've told me to stay on top of taking my medication so it doesn't worsen to major depression.
But another factor is whether you get to the right meds or combo of meds during a minor depression.
Best of luck, God knows you need as much support as you can get.
Well, you may have depression, but you're a hell of a lot more polite than I am. So you can be proud of that.
So you thought you were anxious and recognised a cluster of related moods and behaviours, but it's suddenly 'turned out' that you're depressed instead ... if your own emotions are so mysterious to you, maybe you really should be looking inside for answers to your unhappiness.
I had no idea so much of the Trek BBS had reached a Tom Cruise level of scientology beliefs. I'm quite surprised, actually.
That's the only way I'm getting into space.
To the OP, you really should seek a second consultation, at least to compare it to the first one.
I wonder if people actually do believe that contentment is the normal 'default' mode and depression is always abnormal and not a sign that something is seriously wrong with their life? Of course endogenous depression exists: see patients treated with reserpine. But to assume it without knowing more is just silly.
Have you seen your family doctor for a second opinion? I think that's a very good idea to do, especially if you have the features of major depressive disorder.
Holdfast, our Misc. mod and resident TrekBBS shrink, will probably make a better reply than me, (and believe me, I'm no psychiatrist) but here goes:
The standard affect (baseline mood level) of everyone varies, and it's the changes in the "tide" of mood and their interpretation that leads to people understanding what is normal for them and what is depressive. Everyone gets depressed. It's a natural reaction to adversity and unfortunate circumstances.
It's when these feelings start to have a negative impact on our lives, and our normal functioning, and even our outlook on life in general that things become a problem. But common depressive episodes are usually at the lower end of the spectrum of Affective Disorder, which includes more severe forms such as major depressive episodes, major depressive disorder, and suchlike. In these cases there are more severe symptoms, such as emotional flatness, reduced ability to work and interact with friends and acquaintances, lack of enjoyment in doing the things you love [insert joke here], and in the most severe cases, a feeling of unreality about the world and the thought that the world would be better off without you, that there's no point worth living, etc. to the point that suicidal thoughts and even suicidal attempts have been considered. Many people have also reported waking up early in the morning for no rational reason as a feature of depression in general. Of course, the fewer social contacts you have (friends, family, TrekBBS people
) then the more severe the depressive symptoms are likely to be.Medicines help a LOT in depression, even in reactive depression where a single identifiable trigger can be targeted and resolved (e.g. a work assignment, a relationship issue, financial crisis) although there are some things that won't go away with a quick chat and a slap in the face (e.g. bereavement, loss of job, divorce). Of course, it's not the only answer, they have side effects, and it's just another source of pills to overdose on, etc. but often it's a helpful step to get you over the first few hurdles in the disorder which may have previously seemed insurmountable. Treating depression isn't just taking happy pills, however, and it always needs the right sort of people to have on board, such as a social worker, psychiatrist, family doctor, community psychiatric nurse, and whatever other people are required to help the home situation.
Good luck, Ultimale.
Seeing a counselor isn't a good step toward "looking inside?"
Maybe you should go to medical school, get certified, and then be required to answer to a public body for the results of your diagnosis.
You already have your mind made up about all this, and you're just promoting your own agenda. You have a one-size-fits-all diagnosis and your worse than the most incompetent therapist for pushing on someone you haven't even met.
I'm sorry to hear that Ultimale, but I wish you the best and hope things pick up for you in the future.
All Seeing Eye
Admiral
You are now member 6 billion. Welcome to the club, welcome to the Human Race.
Seconded. Though it can be easier for some to deal without than others.
Personally opted out of being medicated with mixed effects. Sometimes I can deal with it, sometimes not so much. But then... I hate doctors and psychologists (which is odd as I trained to be one).
I'm curios, what medical school taught you that reading a message on a BBS is the best way to know a patient?
This guy says he was prescribed drugs by an MD, yet he is being critiszed by several folks who have read 2 or 3 paragraphs about him.
That's what you were taught? That going to a doctor is the wrong way to be treated, and that people guessing on the Internet is the way to go?
All Seeing Eye
Admiral
CURE FOR DEPRESSION:
1) Buy Extra Strength Oil of Oregano HERE.
Info: Because it's so strong and smells and burns the mouth somewhat I suggest the following:
2) Buy some cheap capsules of something like MilkThistle. Empty the Milk Thistle out of the capsules (which you can then put into a cup of tea if you like so as not to waste it) and then use the OoO dropper to fill the capsule full of the OoO. Only do this when you're actually taking them. Take about 2 capsules a day when you get out of bed.
1) Buy Extra Strength Oil of Oregano HERE.
Info: Because it's so strong and smells and burns the mouth somewhat I suggest the following:
2) Buy some cheap capsules of something like MilkThistle. Empty the Milk Thistle out of the capsules (which you can then put into a cup of tea if you like so as not to waste it) and then use the OoO dropper to fill the capsule full of the OoO. Only do this when you're actually taking them. Take about 2 capsules a day when you get out of bed.
I will just add a warning for anyone who thinks of trying this, that most herb oils are not advised during pregnancy as it can cause a termination. (At one time it was done this way). Consumption of concentrated oil extracts may also have a toxic effect, or cause an acute immune reaction.
