Could DH be depressed?

[ishedepressed]

Regular who has name changed.

I worry that DH is depressed.

This has been a bad year for us. After a really bad dose of flu earlier in the year he developed complications which meant he needed an op. He'd been fighting an infection- real cause undiagnosed- for months before his op and was given loads of antibiotics.

On top of this our marriage was in trouble- I left him for a while- weeks, not months- and was seeing someone else. I came back and we are working on things. Please don't judge as I don't need that- it's much better now and I am worried over his health.

His dr thinks he has post viral fatigue, but I wonder if he is depressed.
These are his symptoms:
*poor sleep- very restless and wakes early.
*feels lethargic and has a "funny tummy" ( maybe due to all the ABs)
*has what he calls a muzzy head
*sometimes he just looks and feels "sad"- but that is maybe because normally he is hyperactive and now can't be due to energy levels.

On the plus side- he has got a good appetite, enjoys work and manages to travel overseas and in UK for work- but feels shattered at end of the day.

Both his parents suffered from depression- his mother very seriously- had to go into hospital for months and had electric shock treatment, and his dad had a breakdwon in his 40s.

Any ideas?

it is possible.pesonally id give it some time.if he still has some enjoyments in life thats very positive.if energy stays low it may start to frustrate him and become low.it sounds like youve both had a crap year and i hope that things pick up for you both soon

It doesn't immediately ring alarm bells for me in terms of depression, although it's hard to say from what little info you have given. It boils down to how he feels. If he is concerned the doctor can do a questionnaire with him to see how likely it is to be depression.

If he still gets pleasure from things in life then it doesn't quite sound like depression - two of the big diagnostics for it are persistent low mood and not finding pleasure in things you used to enjoy.

It does sound more like post-viral fatigue.... I have chronic fatigue syndrome and that list is of my primary symptoms.

Post viral fatigue doesn't necessarily turn into chronic fatigue, but it's important to manage it by working within energy limits and pacing yourself, so you get to the end of the day and aren't too shattered. I often have to reduce my work hours when I'm having a flare up.

Has the doctor given any advice on how to manage it?

thanks for all the replies.

Looks like it may be "just" PVF.

The dr suggested he still exercises- he runs and cycles and goes to gym- but not as much for a while.

he also suggested perhaps a low carb or no refined carb diet to avoid energy rushes. We are having a real blitz on healthier eatring- pretty good anyway- so hopefully this will help.

It sounds like he exercises a lot and he is probably used to that energising him and picking him up so it may be frustrating if it makes him tired instead.

Exercise is ok but can cause 'rebound' effects just like madmouse says - it can make you feel more tired not more energised. So he doesn't have to stop but just do less until he finds a level where he can exercise and doesn't put him back for a few days, then gradually build up. The Action for M.E. website has some good booklets on stuff like pacing and the same advice would apply to PVF.