Advice re. depression please.

[IDontLikeMondaysTuesdaysWedsne]

So, I haven't been diagnosed but I think I probably am depressed (and I'm so so sorry if I'm actually not and this in any way belittles people with actual depression)...

I am unhappy generally in life and I have always had anxiety (particularly social) problems, I had an eating disorder for 6ish years and my life is still consumed with food/body/weight 'issues'.

To conquer these body issues and to try not to fall back into an ED, I go to the gym and I enjoy it, however, I am completely unmotivated at the moment but - and this might be strange to people - I don't even have the energy to make myself sick after eating. This makes me angry but not angry enough to actually do anything. I just don't feel like I care about anything anymore, but I do care, I hate every day but I'm doing nothing to change it. This is frustrating but it's as though I physically can't force myself to do anything.

I sleep a stupid ridiculous amount (for example, on my days off from work I could genuinely - and in fact regularly do - sleep for 14 + hours).
I do have an exhausting job but I still realise it's not healthy to sleep so much.

I can't tell if I'm depressed or just lazy. I feel lazy and I know I am being lazy but I don't feel like I have control over it, does that make any sense?

At work, I'm known as the funny, happy, enthusiastic one but I almost feel as though this is an act. I don't care about anything anymore, I don't have energy for anything but then obviously I do have the energy and care enough to put on this act if that's what I'm doing.

I think my main issue is, I have no idea what's going on. Maybe I am just lazy. I don't ant to go to the doctors if I'm just going to be diagnosed as a fat, lazy slob.

But... my question is, if you are diagnosed with depression, do antidepressants help to just boost you to getting your life back on track or does everybody with depression need some form of counselling/long term therapy?

I realise this entire post could be horribly offensive and belittling but I promise that is not my intention, I'm just naive and tired and can't figure out how to word things correctly and I'm so sorry if this offends anybody but if anybody is willing to give me any advice, I'd be really grateful, even if the answer is 'yes, you're just lazy'

You are not lazy! It sound like you could do with seeing your gp. They should talk you through the different forms of help available to you though because no one deserves to plough on through life feeling the way you do. . A lot of people find this time of year hard with dark evenings, crap weather and cold temperatures so please remember you are not alone.

I seriously doubt you're lazy. It sounds like you are fed up with life and that could be depression. Do you know why you are generally unhappy with life? If so sounds like some kind of talking therapy might benefit you. Anti-depressants affect different people in different ways. From reading on here it does appear that many, many people get a boost from them. If you're willing to give them a go you might find they help. Me personally I've always found counselling/therapy more beneficial but then I usually only resort to anti-depressants once all else has failed or i can't afford/access counselling just so I can prove to myself that I really have tried everything.
A chat with your gp wouldn't hurt. Perhaps you could do that?

Hi, also to add that it is worth telling the dr about your tiredness as there may be an underlying physical cause ( anaemia, thyroid issues for example - or whatever they suggest) that have simple blood tests to check for. They may be fuelling mental issues etc.

I would love to sleep that long, it is not necessarily a bad thing and if you have a demanding job t may be that you need more downtime to help.

Regarding whether people needs counselling to recover it depends but most people would like it as the NHS now offer it free. Some people need medication and counselling. Some need inpatient treatment. Some need social care support.some need time off work etc. Every person is different and assessors can help differentiate this. Sadly that means services are over stretched, sessions very limited and long waits. By all means ask for counselling but be prepared to be assessed quite quickly and then have to wait. A quicker access to talking help is to ask gp to refer you ( if your area has it) to Internet cbt or possibly group cbt as waits may be shorter. The assessor would say if different treatment needed. Most counselling will be in work hours on NHS.

Medication is only an option of there are symptoms to treat which is where a gp comes in.

I find every autumn I want to hibernate. Have no energy for exercise and only crave carbs etc. not sure of that is normal, but I know the best treatment for me would be a week in somewhere hot!!! If you try to make changes yourself and they do not work then asking professionals is the right thing to do. No dr would call you the names you use. They should check your physical state, get you to consider changes you could make to help yourself and then offer what they can refer you to. Private counselling is an option to those with funds and can be at a time to suit people sometimes. All depends what you want and if you would find talking about how you are helpful, or using techniques to change how you think, or look at how to make changes etc.

Hope you find an answer that is right for you. I hope you are not depressed, as would not wish it for anyone, but if you are it does not have to be forever and some simple changes, mild medication maybe etc could make a lot of difference. Do you have any good friends you could share with? For tips, support etc? Lots of friendly people here or threads to join to help you as well.

Sorry for the essay, which s probably jumbled up and repetitive as tired!!

Please go and talk to your GP. Sometimes things get on top of you over time, and then BANG, you crash. Talk to people here. They seem to understand. I have a daughter with depression and had situational depression so know the horrible feelings of fatigue etc. you might be offered therapy or medication if needed. Consider both. For us, it was a combination that was successful. Good luck :)