Signs of depression?

[Kinky-Princess]

I belive I have seen other posts on here before about how some of you who have suffered from depression. I hope it's ok I asked this here.
I was wondering what are the warning signs you are depressed?
( besides just feeling hopeless and sleeping a lot)

Thanks

 

[Chicklet]

It's hard if not impossible to detect signs of depression in OTHER people, but for yourself, it's really all looped into "feeling hopeless all the time" for me.

Warning signs like feeling down, and feeling like it's absolutely impossible to get back up, even when you KNOW there's not really any reason for you to be depressed. When you feel like everyone hates you even though you KNOW no one does. When you cry for stupid reasons and it's not your time of the month Those are things that indicate to me that I need to get back on my medication.

 

[vanelane]

Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, lack of interest in spending time with people you used to have fun with, feeling like you never have any fun, eating too much or no appetite, sleeping too much or never sleeping, feeling hopeless, worthless, lack of interest in sex.

 

[scbigdog65]

Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, lack of interest in spending time with people you used to have fun with, feeling like you never have any fun, eating too much or no appetite, sleeping too much or never sleeping, feeling hopeless, worthless, lack of interest in sex.

Everyone of those things, and a unbearable mental weight pushing you down...

 

[Quoll]

Pretty much everything listed above, the big difference between being down and being depressed is that you feel this way most of the time and there just seems no way out.
Moodgym is quite a good site and has some simple tests to give you some indication of what to expect and also some good exercises to help you deal with what you are feeling, you need to register but that is fine, it's free and they don't spam you.
Moodgym
Good luck and feel free to post whenever you want.

 

[sailboatracer]

I agree feeling "down" is one thing, but when it is most of the time, seems hopeless like there is absolutely no way for it to change, and every day starts out feeling that way. Then it certainly is depression, I've been there. It isn't fun, in fact everyday seems like a chore and there is never any thing that makes you feel good for very long. There may be small "high points" but they don't balance out all the "low points". That's how I would explain it when I felt I could tell someone, usually I wouldn't because I thought I was an abysmal failure, and why would anyone want to know that.

 

[bobsgirl]

All of the above were symptoms for me. I felt like there was nothing left in my life, like I was a stranger in my own skin, if that makes sense. I was on the verge of tears all the time, made worse if I heard certain music or thought of certain things.

The mental pain I felt, and continue to experience was as bad as any physical pain I've ever had.

The medication I take, along with counseling is helping me a lot.



(Hi Racer! )

 

[Kinky-Princess]

Thanks everyone.
I've been feeling alot of those symptoms lately. Some of them like the insomnia I didn't realize were linked to depression.
I've been feeling this way for a long time,but lately it's gotten much worse.
I guess it's time I need to go see a therapist about it.

 

[Eternal_Learner]

One more thing...

One more thing. Depression hurts. A lot. And if you get to feeling it's never going to get better, and a thought springs from nowhere into your mind about how you could stop the pain by, for example, getting that gun out, get help. Do nothing else until you have help. Get over all the stupid stigmas our society has--you have a physical disease that is causing your brain to fail you. So, (again) get help!

Who am I to say this? Well, I spent eight years in depression. I didn't get to the point where I actually tried to kill myself, but unless you've been there, you can't understand the way the thoughts just pop into your conciousness. It's pretty scary, once you get well enough to look back at it.

 

[andy505050]

you should ask your family doc. for the Beck Depression Index test. It's very fast and simple (and that's who you would talk to about getting an Rx, if you want one). It only takes a couple of minutes to fill out. (It appears the trend in depression screening is: the short tests work.)

There's other tests, but that's a commonly accepted one. You used to be able to find it on the internet, but the owners want to charge for it, and have done an amazing job of cleaning up all the freebies.

Often people have to experiment with med.s to see what works best for them. Talk therapy works good, too, and there are fewer side effects. It can be more expensive than drugs, though, and I believe the insurance companies would rather get you on a pill. Big Pharma likes that, too.

If this is for you, then good luck, and keep trying. Don't be ashamed. It's just a medical condition, like a bad appendix, but harder to see and it hurts a lot more and longer, too. It's a hell of a lot more fun to go through life not being depressed.

 

[amutantman]

One more thing. Depression hurts. A lot. And if you get to feeling it's never going to get better, and a thought springs from nowhere into your mind about how you could stop the pain by, for example, getting that gun out, get help. Do nothing else until you have help. Get over all the stupid stigmas our society has--you have a physical disease that is causing your brain to fail you. So, (again) get help!

Who am I to say this? Well, I spent eight years in depression. I didn't get to the point where I actually tried to kill myself, but unless you've been there, you can't understand the way the thoughts just pop into your conciousness. It's pretty scary, once you get well enough to look back at it.

as someone who has been there, its not a very nice feeling. thankfully i had a loving, supportive wife to help me through. at that stage you feel like the whole world is against you.

as you say " its pretty scary" doesnt quite say it. its fucken scary! as a person who likes to be in control and "dominating" so to speak, feeling this way was the complete opposite to me.

yes seek help, no matter how small you think the problem is.
just remember there is always someone worse off than you are....loook at the starving kids and aids orphans in africa.

 

[ickle_stace]

my self confidence plummets, my mind constantly tells me how worthless/hopeless i am

I can't sleep, I comfort eat, I cry for no reason, cry myself to sleep, i'd even sit at work and cry when i was alone in the office. hated being around people, i had to stop myself snapping at people. they'd be talking to me and my head would just be thinking "god i wish you'd just shut up now". And normally I love talking

I can see the signs now and deal with them, but at first it was a shock

 

[TheEarl]

It would be a feeling of utter lethe. I would barely have the energy to raise myself out of bed in the morning and for every time I tried to toss off the duvet and put my feet on the floor, my brain would wonder what the point of it was. I was tired constantly, but kept myself awake late every night, often going without sleep altogether, because I wanted to hurt. I wanted to be ill and pained and wrong because I felt like that was who I was. I cut my arm, not for the pain, but for the scars, wanting to be damaged. I would curl up in a ball and cry and cry and I would beat at my temples with my fists, trying to knock the feelings out of me, trying to knock the consciousness out of me, wanting anything, anything if it would make it stop. The entire world seemed hopeless and I couldn't see any kind of a future. Every time I tried to think of a glimmer of light in the darkness, my brain would shut it down, creating a thousand reasons why I couldn't take that path, why I was doomed to failure and why I had nowhere to go.

And yet, to the world, I managed to present myself as a fully functioning member of society. I succeeded in a job interview, I played rugby and I managed to conceal my failing of my university course right up until the last minute. Outward signs of depression are very hard to spot if the person wants them to remain hidden.

I hope that helps some. I have very little in the way of advice, only the sharing of my experiences. I wish you well.

The Earl

 

[Quoll]

my self confidence plummets, my mind constantly tells me how worthless/hopeless i am

I can't sleep, I comfort eat, I cry for no reason, cry myself to sleep, i'd even sit at work and cry when i was alone in the office. hated being around people, i had to stop myself snapping at people. they'd be talking to me and my head would just be thinking "god i wish you'd just shut up now". And normally I love talking

I can see the signs now and deal with them, but at first it was a shock

These are hard ones to stop, most people don't realise the inner dialogue that goes with depression, more power to you stace.

 

[V_Faulkon]

I've actually been in a state of deep depression before. Happened during my junior year of high school; it lasted for like four months, by which time I had far too many absences to go back.

One way you can tell if someone you know is depressed is not that they just sleep a lot, but that they really don't do ANYTHING. I remember those four months very well, and I rarely left my own bed, let alone my room. I would skip meals, skip school, and spend most of my time just staring at the ceiling, without a thought in the world. The one time I actually did try and leave the house (under my mother's volition), I had an anxiety attack and ducked under the windows. Considering I was over 6', 250-something pounds, seeing myself curled into a ball in the car was a very...unnerving sight.

If you really think someone you know is truly depressed, I would definitely go talk to a professional therapist and get their advice (don't bother bringing the 'patient'; it's unlikely they'll be willing to move). Sometimes, these things will work themselves out. Also, don't give up on them; if someone in that state believes they're alone, they'll lose hope and might consider taking very drastic, irreversible measures...

I'm no professional, but that's my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Batman4ever71]

Depression???

As another Litster that has suffered from depression, I agree with everything I've read in this post. I had the feeling of hopelessness and that everyone i knew would be better off had I not been born, Looking up to the sky and asking "God", "Why have you forsaken me?" the utter pain of an everyday existance etc......

Only on Lit have I seen such a loving, caring and nurturing group of people I have never met in my entire life. Through these wonderful people, medication, and weekly therapy, I know now that my children would deffinately not be better off without me, nor would anyone else.

Basically, my point is that if you think your depressed....you probably are. As I've seen posted many times throughout this thread seek help before you do anything else. DO NOT assume you can handle it on your own. If your doc prescribes meds.....make sure you take them faithfully. Make sure you stay tuned to your own thread......you can find alot more support and help here than I'll bet anywhere else in the world. I think of it this way. Where else can you get the support of people from all walks of life, in all the countries of the world and not pay a cent for it?

Best of luck and the Batman is sincerely in your corner and pulling fo you every step of the way. If you wish to PM me on ANY topic, please do not hesitate in the least!!!!!

Your New E-Friend,
Batman

 

[BlackWolf65]

Thanks everyone.
I've been feeling alot of those symptoms lately. Some of them like the insomnia I didn't realize were linked to depression.
I've been feeling this way for a long time,but lately it's gotten much worse.
I guess it's time I need to go see a therapist about it.

It definitely is. I've been there, I've done that, and as Meatloaf said in a song, I've got the scars to prove it. I went to the point of attempting suicide, and I damned near succeeded. With therapy, meds, and a lot of support from some people close to me, I've made it back to the real world again. Hang in there, seek help, and talk to people. And as Batman said, if you ever need to talk about anything, anything at all, I'm just a PM away. And my IM info is all listed in my profile. He was also correct in his observations about the people you'll meet here in Lit. I came here when I was on the verge of slipping back towards depression, due to circumstances in my life. The people I've met here have been more caring and supportive than *almost* anyone I've met in R/L. There are a lot of really GOOD people here. Poke around, and make yourself known. I guarantee you'll make some very good friends here.

 

[Kinky-Princess]

Thanks everyone, your support is very much appreciated.
I can relate to most the things that have been said.
Sorry I didn't see your posts till now. I must have missed them when I was off studying for my finals.

I have just started seeing a therapist, I feel it is starting to help.
I have had a few minor set backs lately, but it was do to things that happened in my life that were kind of beyond my control.

I feel like I am starting to function again. If I could only sleep throughout the night I would feel much better.
I guess I shouldn't complain though, I know I need to just take it one step at a time.

I promise to try and check on this thread more from now on.

 

[Vixandra]

... i had to stop myself snapping at people. they'd be talking to me and my head would just be thinking "god i wish you'd just shut up now". And normally I love talking

This is one of the biggest ways depression hits me. I have no patience for failings I "see" in myself and have none for anyone else's stupidity.
Working in the medical feild its a bad thing.

When depressed I'm a moody, sharp-tongued demoness with no sympathy for anyone, full of loathing and bitterness. Exhausted because my body refuses to sleep at night, which make things even worse.

It got really bad while I was in the AF and stuck in a work place I hated. Took writting to my first sgt to get a change in duty area (I'd begged everone else up to my squadron commander for a move before that).

Six months of zoloft and changing how I delt with myself and my job made a big difference. My husband was a BIG help with that.


If you need help, get it. I am one of the last people to push medications, but they can help, if they're the right one (took me four trys to get the right one). Talk to your doctor

 

[BlackWolf65]

Thanks everyone, your support is very much appreciated.
I can relate to most the things that have been said.
Sorry I didn't see your posts till now. I must have missed them when I was off studying for my finals.

I have just started seeing a therapist, I feel it is starting to help.
I have had a few minor set backs lately, but it was do to things that happened in my life that were kind of beyond my control.

I feel like I am starting to function again. If I could only sleep throughout the night I would feel much better.
I guess I shouldn't complain though, I know I need to just take it one step at a time.

I promise to try and check on this thread more from now on.

Yes, it is best taken one step at a time. But it's also hard sometimes to not complain when you're feeling depressed. Just don't beat yourself up for it, or for any setbacks. It takes time to fall into deep depression, and it takes just as much or more to come back out of it.

I'm glad you're seeing a therapist. It's important to talk about this sometimes, and a therapist knows how to handle things, and how to guide you on your way out of the pit.

Keep on working at it - you'll make it.