Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 21, 2010, at 15:23:28
In reply to Re: I feel horrible, posted by Dima on August 21, 2010, at 12:13:33
>Thoughts are usually more ideas than actual sentences. I can't steer my thoughts how I'd like for very long. I guess it's brain fog, probably. Not much is repetitive unless I'm worried about something specific.
That sounds typical of depression. Difficulties with concentration are very common in depression. There can be medical reasons for poor concentration, but I think you said that your doctor had done some blood tests. Poor concentration is seen in ADHD, but ADHD is not associated with severe mood disturbances or anhedonia. Poor concentration is seen in OCD - but this is due to constant repetitive and intrusive ideas which cause distress. Poor concentration in mania is due to rapid flight of ideas, distractability and excitement. Only major depression seems to fit your symptoms.
It seems to me that your anxiety is secondary to the depression, which appears to be your main problem. The depression makes social situations very unpleasant and difficult to deal with, which causes anxiety.
>The only symptoms people notice are me being quiet and irritable. Ever since at least kindergarden, I've been shy and not that happy.I see. This is obviously a very long term problem.
May I ask... when you are very depressed, do you ever hear voices or feel paranoid? Do you ever feel that other people are out to get you?
>In December, after going low carb, I had a week of the only period that might be considered manic. I don't think I was, though. I felt close to normal, doing normal errands and not hating it.
I don't think that sounds like mania. Did anyone comment that your behaviour during this period was unusual?
>Also, I don't think I mentioned that I feel almost no emotion.
In depression, emotional reactions are changed. Anger, irritability and distress may be felt, but not necessarily sadness. It's all very individual. Some people just feel numb, with no pleasure in anything. Also, certain medications can worsen the feelings of numbness.
How do you respond to tricyclic antidepressants such clomipramine? These drugs are sometimes suitable for severe depression when SSRIs haven't been effective. This could be something to discuss with your doctor.
This might not be what you want to hear right now but..... antidepressants in general don't seem to work as well in young people as they do in older adults. For example, the efficacy of antidepressants in teenagers is very modest. I am wondering whether you might respond much better to ADs in a few years time compared with how you respond now. I hope this gives some hope for the future.
poster:ed_uk2010
thread:958455
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100821/msgs/959330.html