Nothing is fun anymore

[MulledWino]

If you find that you no longer get any real pleasure out of anything/can't look forward to anything, does this mean you are depressed? Or just stressed? (I am very stressed but have been for long time. Finally feel as if I can't take a single thing more. But more continues to pile on.)

(Hope this doesn't end up on the 'most asked MN questions' thread). I genuinely want to know. If the answer is yes, (re depression) I am not taking anti-depressants. I can't go down that route.

Thank you in advance.

Sorry to hear this mulledwino

You could be having symptoms of depression? How long has this been going on for?

I've had mild/moderate depression before and still get the odd bout. What I feel is dispondency and as if a dark cloud is hanging over me. I basically can't be arsed! I find it harder to laugh which is something I love to do.

I've also had panic attacks which are rarer nowadays and suffer with tension headaches.

What I'm building up to is that I've tried anti ds and didn't like them but I think they're great for some people. I'd still talk to your gp.

The thing that's greatly helping me at the moment is hypnotherapy. I've found a really nice guy and have been to him twice. On the last session he showed me self hypnosis which is amazing

Keep on talking and searching for something to help you as what you are feeling can't go on hun x

Thank you Yulysees. I am waiting for couselling which I think would help. I would let it all out to some poor soul who is paid to listen! I have been feeling like it for months on and off. I have difficult family cicumstances; a sitution which is not going to change for the better any time soon. I have always been quite a stressy person but usually snap out of it as I can't do being 'down' for long. There always used to seem to be something to look forward to looming around the corner. But now everything does seem quite bleak and the 'things to look forward to' seem a bit pointless, even Christmas, although I won't show this to people because it's not fair to ruin their Christmas, especiually the kids. I don't feel I can go to the doctors. There is not much he can do and there are enough medical conditions going on in my family without me adding a mental health one to the equation!

There is nothing to be ashamed of having a "mental" health problem and if antidepressants might work for you then dont try to be brave and strong by avoiding them. You wont have failed if that's what your gp thinks you need. There are no rewards for not taking what you need.

I don't know why but I just don't want a doctor to tell me 'you are depressed' and 'you need anti depressants'. I have no idea why. I have seen them help others and have even advised people to go on them. But I just don't want to. I want to be able to cope. I should be able to cope. None of this stuff is going to go away. I don't have time to be depressed.

What's so bad about not being able to cope? No point struggling on and suffering. No one will thank you for it. You need to be a bit selfish and look after yourself before things get worse.

You say you don't have time to be depressed? Then you must do something to help yourself.

You may not even have depression but it'd be wise to see your gp. What would you say to a friend who'd given your comments? How would you advise him/her?

Give yourself a break, you're human Depression is an illness. If you told someone you had diabetes they wouldn't say "oh pull your socks up"

Depression or any illness mind related is nothing to be ashamed of. We don't choose it, it chooses us.

Would ADs actually make life seem do-able again?? I am not suicidal.. no question of that.. I just feel like I can't do this life that I have to lead, like this anymore. Oh and I am out of the closet (why was I in it?!).. because I have ended up saying the sames things on both threads - other one in SN section. lol.
And thank you Hercules for posting on both.

I know people who have found ads to be a life saver.

What happens when you take them though? Can anyone describe it? I would hate to feel numb or removed from from reality! I would rather feel shte! At least that is real*.

I dont know as never taken them personally. From what I know if the dosage is right then you shouldnt feel this way. SOmeone who does have experience I'm sure will be on soon. There is also lots in past threads.

Dh never felt like that, didn't feel anything much for six weeks that was any different than just started to get better, bit by bit. They did have a few side effects but he was on a high dosage and they vary between anti-d's / individuals also. All worth it though.

Didn't let him take the vallium they also prescribed though- a slippery raod IMHO!

Depression is due to a physical cause - a chemical imbalance. There is no shame in taking them - you wouldn't be ashamed of taking antibiotics would you?
And FWIW, it takes a lot of guts to come and ask about it, rather than burying your head in the sand and letting things get worse and worse

No, they don't make you numb, or feel nothing. They gradually help you feel normal again, more positive, back to yourself again, before everything seemed grey and too much effort

Have a chat with your GP - you owe it to yourself and to your family

I hope you are feeling better soon
Tilly

Tilly is right - GP explained that when you are so down and stressed that the Seratonin produced by your brain is depleted. The AD's help to get the levels up to where they should be.

Good luck. I for one never thought I would be able to talk to my GP but it was amazing how understanding how he was.

Thanks. That's a ggod explanation Merry. I will think about it all.