when is it depression?

nickcarter · 07-14-2004, 10:12 PM

I don't know if this is moods or depression. I can't afford a therapist now but if I feel there is a good reason to go I will. But there are times when I am REALLY down (right now) and I don't know why. I would say I am down in the dumps about 1/3 of the time and perfectly ok the other 2/3. According to DSMIV you have to be depressed for 2 weeks all the time. But is it just bad moods or normal if it's just for 1/3 of the time?

evieths · 07-16-2004, 04:15 PM

Hi there. You don't have to be "down in the dumps" all the time to be despressed. If it is porlonged and affecting your quality of life, it can difenatly be clinical depression. Expecailly if you cannot find a reason for it. I have suffered depression for over 12 years. It started out at major manic depression, but I did get better with thearpy and medication. I have been off the medication for 9 years now. But I do still have bouts like that were most of the time I am fine, but other times really just "crappy for no reason." I know now, with this website, that PCOS has a major part in that as well. Maybe you would want to find a thearipist to help you to figure out what could be causing, or "triggering" your depression. That's what I had to do. If you can't afford it, maybe try to talk to your city gov. or county gov. I know here, there are therapist that work on an income-base rate. Wich is MUCH lower. Good luck, and I know that there are choices as to weather you want to get help!

nickcarter · 07-16-2004, 07:31 PM

thanks for the advice. but do you think medication is appropriate for these bouts? and overall mood swings?

evieths · 07-16-2004, 07:41 PM

I think that is up to you. Medication can help "normalize" the mood swings and depressive bouts. I personally did not like it. It made me feel like a drone. I had no highs, no lows, just "there". But that was my experiance. It is diffrent with each person, plus there are all diffrent types of depression medicine. My sister is on medicine as well, but it really helps her ALOT. She really benifits from it. She is also on a diffrent one that I was, which could be the reason also. (I can't remember the name of it right now

) If you have a good doc, they should be able to help out as well.

rushgirly · 07-19-2004, 08:04 PM

I've tried medication as well. I was very hesitant (and still am) about medication. I tried Lexapro-which did help some-but didn't 'fix' me.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get out of those low times when they occur with or without medication?

It's so difficult to snap out of it sometimes, and I know it must get old for my friends to hear about how horrible i feel.

sedge · 07-19-2004, 08:26 PM

Hi Nick!

Depression is a tough thing to deal with and it can be difficult to diagnose. Situational depression usually passes when whatever is causing it also passes. Clinical depression does not.

You might ask yourself if you feel depressed in situations where you would normally feel happy. Think about what may be causing you to feel down. There are perfectly valid reasons for being in the dumps! It's not always something to worry (more) about.

Mild depression has been successfully treated with St. John's Wort. I've taken various anti-depressants in the past and found this to be the most effective and have the least undesireable effects for me.

If you are considering SJW, please begin by reading http://www.personalhealthzone.com/stjohnswort.html and continue with more research. As with most anti-depressants, allow at least 6 weeks to notice any improvement. Consult your doctor before taking SJW also as you may be taking certain medications or have other conditions that would make it unsuitable for you.

Stay safe.

sedge · 07-21-2004, 05:16 PM

It's good to be careful especially with herbal remedies and advice from people on the internet!

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ is a good overview of SJW from our National Institute of Health.

http://www.hypericum.com/ for lots of information about depression and SJW.

I have really had good results using it. The only side effect that I've noticed is some sun sensitivity and we should all be careful in the sun anyway.

Hope you find some help with this information.

Take care!