Is depression due to my situation has a name in psychology?(Fantasizing)

[hy20034]

I am 25 and male and a big fan of a TV actress. In the beginning I was just a fan but now I feel like I have fallen in love with her. I realize I can never meet her, still I keep on thinking about her every time. I am finance professional and earn a decent living. But I have started disliking my profession. I don’t feel like coming to work anymore. I think that my profession does not have fame, like hers. I fantasize that I was also an actor/player and I would go and ask her out. Most of my day goes on thinking and fantasizing how I would have proposed and all that. When I wake up in the morning, I imagine what the time is and what she would be doing now. I don’t care about growing in my profession anymore. I have repeatedly received several comments lately from my coworkers that my face tells them that I am very very depressed. This morning when I woke up, I had headache and I realized that whole night, despite of sleeping, she was going thru in my mind and I was thinking about her. I feel like crying when I wake up. Sometimes when my depression increases, I simply go outside, or on bed and cry. My question is, am I going thru a psychological disorder or disease? Is it common problem???? Can I come back to normal life? I don’t like to talk to people who are close to me, I cant concentrate on work nowadays. Initially I thought it will just pass by but it is getting worst and worst day by day. One other problem is that I cannot discuss this with anyone also!! Please help me!!!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The only way I can help you is tell you that you must talk to a professional about your obsession and depression, it is serious, and needs the attention of a psychiatrist.  It is definetly treatable, and you will return to normal, but you may need some medication and talk therapy to get there.  Do not hesitate.

[Spent Penny]

Hi hy,
You may want to do some research on OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I myself am a sufferer, and I know  others who suffer as well. The symptoms seem to be as individual as the person with the disorder, with obsessive behavior or thoughts as the common denominator. I was diagnosed when I was about your age with OCD along with Depression. I cannot tell you with certainty that these two "afflictions"(for lack of a better word) come together hand in hand, although this has been the case with myself and some of my friends. The best suggestion I would give to anyone, is arm yourself with KNOWLEDGE!! Read all you can on the subject, and perhaps keep a journal, that way, when and if you decide to seek out professional  help it is much easier if you have your concerns written down so you can clearly communicate them to your health professional.
Good Luck & Keep your chin up!!

[Siddigfan]

I too do a great deal of fantasizing, so much so that I will even find myself fantasizing while driving or working!  Nothing sexual, just romantic or adventurous as you have said.  I too was diagnosed with OCD and depression, so I wonder if the fantasy obsessions are just another selection on the OCD playlist. I, too, often find myself depressed that the real world doesn't live up to the fantasy world I create for myself.  My depression and OCD have lightened up a great deal after being placed on Effexor after about 20 years on Prozac which was only minimally effective.  The Effexor, I am told helps three neurotransmitters, while the Prozac affects only serotonin, or so I am told.  I find the Effexor a great help.