depression?

[robbie178]

Is being severely agitated and irritable having great difficulty concentrating a sign of depression. Also racing thoughts when I awake and disturbing dreams. Also severe loss of energy. I this depression? my drs say that I am anxiety ridden.

[whodunnit]

Sorry LCC,

But I must disagree entirely with you.

These tests use the actual symptoms as described in the doctor's reference material and use the same standard tests for diagnosing depression as the doctors do.

They are online tests and as such should be used only as a guide of course as essential ingredients such as a person's demeanour, appearance, manner of speech, attitude etc are not apparent during a self applied test in which we may be less than honest.

The idea of these tests is to encourage people to think about the symptoms, consider the result and hopefully go see a medical person for face to face advice. It would be rare that people with no sign of depression would even think of trying such testing.

Drug companies do not need to resort to such devious tactics as depression is so rife as it is and I should think you should withdraw such a statement as it sounds rather paranoid and discouraging to all those who should be using them, in my opinion.

Regardless, anyone who suspects they have depression can simply look up the list of symptoms and follow the written advice that goes with it. Which is, if you meet X number of these symptoms you are likely to have depression and need a doctor's advice.

For you to even suggest this fellow has a mental condition more serious than depression I find outrageous and I'd suggest strongly you desist from making such rash judgements without either information or qualifications. Please.

You are hinting at bi polar due to the racing thoughts comment so why not say that instead of raising doubts as you have?

It is not for us to diagnose as we don't have the right to do so. We can only guess and guessing wrongly is extremely callous and cruel.

As to general doctors, they must be consulted first as you don't get referred by anyone else do you? So the general doctor needs to be consulted and agree there is a need before they refer anyone to specialists. That is their role, to try and deal with what they are able to and refer people on where they cannot help enough.

I agree strongly that I would prefer a psychiatrist to deal with every case of depression but the numbers don't add up. See a psychiatrist if you can, by all means.

[LeftCoastChick]

I have to interject - those online tests aren't that great and most of the time, they are set up by a pharmaceutical company. .  With the description of your feelings, it sounds like you have a mood disorder that's a bit more serious then depression. I've got the same symptoms, mostly controlled with meds, but they still poke out now n' then. I wouldn't be as stable as I am without meds.  It's very important that you get a referral to a psychiatrist a.s.a.p - these don't generally go away on their own, nor does talk therapy  help on it's own- it's usually a combination of meds and therapy.  Family doctors are not equipped to handle nor are they educated enough to make such a diagnosis, chances are you may not get the right meds. I coasted for a few years with just my family doc giving me meds, but I was still miserable to an extent, and I never thought it would get better. I feel better then I've felt in 15 yrs, I still have bad days, but mostly decent ones, not the other way around. See a psychiatrist.

[whodunnit]

Could I suggest you take an online diagnosis? Just Google those words and try one. What you describe are certainly symptoms of both anxiety and depression.

Is that all your docs have said? Have they not considered depression or asked you about such?

I'd guess another thing you are feeling is a loss of interest in things you have liked doing long term. An inability to enjoy them any more and a disinterest in actually wanting to do them. Yes? It goes with the lack of energy and is another depression symptom which goes with what you describe.

Is it worse in the morning or evening? ANother standard psychiatrist question. The reason they ask this is many depressions are worse in the morning and relieve some during the day. Thus we tend to stay awake late as we fell OK and want to not wake up. It's called diurnal variation and is a key indicator.

[Jskiles2]

All of your symptoms are all good signs of depression/anxiety disorders. I have been struggling with this most of my life, off and on since I was 14 (now 23). Don't let if fool you, it may come and go for a while and doctors may say that you have "bi-polar disorder". I don't believe in prescription antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, as I have tried a multitude of them in my teen years and none of them helped. Actually, most antidepressants on the market have no better effects than placebos.  I take a B-complex vitamin every morning, which was originally suggested by a psychologist. It can have a variety of health benefits, improving concentration, mood, nerve function, increased energy, etc... Also, sometimes if you're feeling out of it in the morning, take a cold shower (as unpleasant as it sounds). It has been said to activate norepinephrine (a happy neurotransmitter), which is mostly lacking in those who have depression. You are normal, talk to someone close. Chances are, they may have had the same feelings at some point.

[fuzzy882]

Listen to your dr., he should know..  But from what you say, Yes, depression/anxiety should be considered.