Depressed, but not constantly sad?

[Elyxia]

Can one have a depression without being constantly sad/down? My family says they think I have a depression, but I don't feel like the usual symptoms like sadness, lethargy, sleeping too much etc fits that well in my case. I have more of a constant feeling that something is "off" or "not quite right" (with no real life cause), uneasiness, sometimes moodswings, irritable, crying more often and more easily then usual.. Some days I'm just totally misrable and dont want to do anything and can barely get food down, while some days I'm ok and can easily laugh at funny things on TV etc.. but it seems I'm never better then ok and I always have this feeling that something's off and I don't seem to enjoy things I like as much as I used to. Can barely stand being around people and most days I feel completely drained even before I've set foot at work. I cringe if someone at work asks how my day is cause I feel like I don't want to be seen, much less have someone notice that I'm not my usual self. Anyone else had depression like this? And did antidepressants work?

[4Maddie44]

I think if you read other people's comments here you will find that most of us felt worse before we felt better on anti depressants.  Our body has to adjust to taking it.  What you are feeling now is probably the medication getting into your system, and you have to give it time to work before you feel relief.  

Insomnia could also be a side effect.  I have insomnia even though I take no medication at all.  

I do hope you will feel better soon.  Take care

[Elyxia]

Thankyou for your support! I'm on day 3 now on my medication and so far I've only gotten side effects. Yesterday it made my uneasiness/mild anxiety turn into full blown anxiety with a burning feeling in my chest and everything. It generally makes me very uneasy and I can't get my muscles to properly relax. I'm also VERY awake at night when I'm supposed to go to sleep even though I take it in the morning. And at the same time I can't stop yawning. But I've read that side effects should pass withing 1-2 weeks after starting or increasing dose. Did you ever have increased symptoms at first when starting an antidepressant?

[4Maddie44]

No that is an anti depressant I have never been on.  Many people find that there is no actual reason for depression.  I found mine popped up from nowhere, and that does happen.  

I see you live in Norway.  I live in England.  

I do hope the medication helps ease your depression.  It could take a few weeks before you feel any relief.  I mean up to six weeks after you start taking it before feeling better, or could be longer.  If doctor then increases the dosage, your body will again adjust to that.  

I am not on any medication now, but get only mild anxiety and depression.  I hope you feel better soon.

Keep in touch and let me know how you get on.  I am glad you will be seeing the psychiatrist regularly.  

[Elyxia]

Thanks for answering :) I'm glad you found a medication that works for you! I hope I don't have to try many before I find the right one. When you say 4-6 weeks for it to work, do you mean 4-6 weeks after starting it, or 4-6 weeks after you reached the right dose?

[Elyxia]

My psychiatrist said I'm suffering from depression and prescribed Cipralex (also called Lexapro). I took my first tablet today and I'm supposed to start with 5 mg per day for the first week and then up it to 10 mg and see how it goes. And she also gave me more frequent appointments with her so we can sort out why I got depressed in the first place. Christmas/winter is my favorite part of the year so I really hope this works quickly so I can enjoy it at least somewhat..

Have you tried Cipralex/Lexapro?

[4Maddie44]

I hope the psychiatrist can help you.  Now different anti depressants suit different people.  For instance Gogglez is doing well on Prozac, but it was the very worst drug I ever took.  You must see what your psychiatrist suggest.  One told me I should not take Prozac as it would not suit me.  I told the prescribing doctor, but he said I would be OKJ.  I wasn't.  

There are many anti depressants out there, and it is a matter of finding the right one.  You may get side effects at first, but after sbout 6 weeks should begin to feel better.  I was on medication that did help me a lot.  My doctor advised I withdrew last year, and I have been without anti depressants for about 17 months now.  Longest I have ever gone without depression returning.

Yes 20 years, but I have had to learn to live with it.  It has affected my life a great deal, but I am still here fighting.

I do hope you feel better soon. Let us know what psychiatrist advises.

[Gogglez]

I have been depressed on and off for about 10 years, and am going through an episode at the moment.

For me, I was prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) in 2005 and again in 2011. It takes about 4-6 weeks for the meds to start working. In the first week or so I felt a little euphoric for a while in the couple of hours after taking my capsule, but that went away after a few days. I found nothing really changed until one day I was walking down the street and I suddenly realised I wasn't ruminating, things that used to get me down didn't matter anymore. I was on 20mg per day to start with then gradually upped to 40mg, and in 2011 I was taking the meds for about a year.

I hope that gives you an idea. There are many other meds out there and it is important you tell your doctor about side effects, so s/he can be sure you're getting the right one for you.

[Elyxia]

Thankyou for answering :) I can't imagine living like this for over 20 years so I admire your strength. Do you know what kind of anti depressants tend to work best for the anxiety/irritability part of the depression? And how long do they take to work?

I have been to a doctor and I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week, and she will probably prescribe something for me. :)

[4Maddie44]

Well depression can affect different people in different ways.  What you describe you are feeling at the moment does sound like it could be depression.  Yes it has its ups and downs, and like you say, some days are not too bad, but others are not too good.  What you describe is typical feelings when depressed.  I had depression for over 20 years, and without anti depressants I would not have survived.

Go see a doctor and discuss how you are feeling.  They may describe anti depressants, but it is up to you whether you wish to take them or not.  Some people find they help, but others prefer not to take them.  It is up to you.  Yes anti depressants do work.