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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Depression, grief, no children.
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Depression, grief, no children.
by Lynn, Dec 20, 1999 12:00AM
I am 37 year old single woman, never married, never had children. History of depression treated with prozac. Had hysterectomy. Wanted children very badly. I guess I am grieving. Have withdrawn. Am very sad, angry. Have no patience. Quick to anger. I entered therapy, went about three times, she was a family therapist. Just dont want to go. Dont want to accept a non childless future. I know I need therapy. Wonder if I need someone specialized in grief. I have had successful experiences with counseling. But now, even knowing what I need to do, am unable to follow through with it. Your thoughts? <this holiday has been extremely tough>
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS M.D.-SW, Dec 21, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Lynn,
Many of the symptoms you are complaining of are suggestive of depression.
When depressed:
You feel sad a lot, and it doesn't go away.
You feel guilty; you think that you're no good; you have no confidence.
Life seems meaningless, and you don't think anything good is ever going to happen again. You feel empty and hopeless.
You lose interest in ordinary pleasures like music, sports, friends, or having fun. You really want to be left alone most of the time.
It's hard to make up you mind. You forget things, and it's hard to concentrate.
You get angry or irritated often. You're so touchy that you lose control for no particular reason. You over-react.
There's often a change in sleeping and eating habits.
You feel restless or tired most of the time.
You think about death a lot or thoughts about suicide pop into your mind.
I recommend you see a psychiatrist, he/she can monitor your symptoms, and adjust your medications appropriately.
As you mentioned you may also benefit from therapy, to help understanding and hopefully work with your feelings.
Best Wishes!
HFHS M.D.-SW
Many of the symptoms you are complaining of are suggestive of depression.
When depressed:
You feel sad a lot, and it doesn't go away.
You feel guilty; you think that you're no good; you have no confidence.
Life seems meaningless, and you don't think anything good is ever going to happen again. You feel empty and hopeless.
You lose interest in ordinary pleasures like music, sports, friends, or having fun. You really want to be left alone most of the time.
It's hard to make up you mind. You forget things, and it's hard to concentrate.
You get angry or irritated often. You're so touchy that you lose control for no particular reason. You over-react.
There's often a change in sleeping and eating habits.
You feel restless or tired most of the time.
You think about death a lot or thoughts about suicide pop into your mind.
I recommend you see a psychiatrist, he/she can monitor your symptoms, and adjust your medications appropriately.
As you mentioned you may also benefit from therapy, to help understanding and hopefully work with your feelings.
Best Wishes!
HFHS M.D.-SW
