diagnosed with depression.

[Lucey12]

I think I may have depression, though Im feeling great now and the last couple days, I do feel really down at times with no reason for it. I was wondering how you get diagnosed with it. Do you go to the doctor and just say, Im not happy for no reason, I think I have depression?

Another thing is I dont know how I would deal with it if they tried to put me on pills for it. My mother in law is on all sorts of meds and one change and shes a totally different person. I dont want medication to make me who I am.

[j7653]

I have battled with depression for many years.  I had a hang up about taking the drugs for a long time, but after my recent bad depression I realized that I had to make major life changes.  Accepting and taking drugs was one of them.

I believe they were helpful in my recovery.  I also worked VERY hard to recover, including counseling, exercise, meditation, proper diet, and re-connecting with family and friends to let them know what was going on and that I wanted their involvement / help.

I wholeheartedly agree with mammo's comments.  If you wonder about depression, you can find some good books or CD's at the library or B&N.  They will make you better informed on depression and other emotional illnesses / conditions.

[mammo]

Depression has many symptoms, most people have a few to a lot. Some of the symptoms are sadness, crying, being down all the time,moody, no interest in anything, feeling hopeless, sleeping a lot, and the list goes on and on.  What I would do on the days you are down for no reason is to try and figure out if there may be a reason.  We all have ups and downs which is normal, but it's when it begins to interfere with your life, that it becomes a problem.  If you ever feel like it is, see a psychiatrist for 2 reasons.  He is the best equipped to analyze what is causing your depression, and the best to prescribe any medications needed.  Don't be afraid of medication, there are very good ones out there.  They should never change who you are, and sometimes it's trial and error before you find the perfect one for you.  You will always be started out on the lowest dosage to see how that does, and asked to return to the psychiatrist for evaluation on it's effectiveness. Always work closely with this person, never by others experiences.  We are all unique, and respond to medication in different ways.  I don't think you're depressed, but if the "down days" start out numbering the good days, I would see someone.