For the past several months, I have been experiencing what I believe to be symptoms of fairly severe depression. Specifically, I have had a loss of energy, a general malaise, an inability to concentrate and make decisions, and overall feelings of fear and hopelessness. Physically, I am having trouble sleeping and feelings of exhaustion. I have been in counseling off and on for the past year to eighteen months. My business has had several reverses in the past year, which while fixable, require attention and more than anything, the ability to focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past mistakes, which is what I continually find myself doing. In addtion, I have lost a valued and trusted business partner unexpectedly over the past month. Inuitively, I understand that I cannot expect to move my life and business forward without letting go of the past, but I am mired emotionally in worry and fear, and am currently unable to make decisions, concentrate, or summon very much optimism. All of this has made me very ineffective both in my professional and person life. I do not look forward to my work or life, and my relationship with my employees and more importantly my family is beginning to suffer as a result. Fortunately, I do not have any suicidal thoughts.
I have an inability to get myself going each day, and then spend my day procrastinating, and afraid of what might happen next. I have lost a great deal of interest in my business, and dread Monday morning. This is out of character on all levels, but it has been going on for most of this year. I have experienced what I believe to be short periods of mild depression in the past, but this has been much deeper, longer lasting, and debilitating (if in fact it sounds like depression to you). I have taken several of the online diagnostic tests, and they all indicate strong levels of potential depression.
My counsellor and I have discussed in the past experimenting with a small dose of anti depression medications, under a physician's supervision. My question is whether it might be possible and is it usual to use these for short (3-6 month) period of time? I very much consider this a "situational" depression, and do not want to become reliant on medication over the long term if I do not have to. I do not see anything wrong with taking this, but am concerned about long term dependency (although I do understand they are not clinically addictive).
I assume we are talking about a serotonin reuptake inhibitor at a fairly moderate dose, but don't know. Thank you for your thoughts on my condition, and possible treatment.