Serious Question

[setem]

I know some of you will give me **** but I just wanted to ask.

How do I know if I have clinical depression?

I am a pretty happy go lucky person. I really do not let **** get me down. I coach baseball so when we lose I am not happy but I do not go off the deep end or anything.

Sometimes I just break down. Tonight I was playing tennis with some friends and my friend and I lost. I play plenty of tennis and lose my fair share and never act like an *******. When I got in my car I felt like complete ****. I wont go into detail about it because I am ashamed and dont feel like a man.

The reason I ask is because this has happened to be before. Last time I was just sitting on my couch and I started getting an uneasy feeling and eventually had some kind of break down.

My life is nothing to be be depressed about. I have no real problems due to being a college student. I have good grades so that doesnt get me down.

It's like a switch inside me turns and I am become miserable.

Maybe I am just being a bitch or maybe I have serious problem.

Thoughts?

[CK Sooner]

:confused:

[mdklatt]

If it comes and goes quickly, it's probably not depression. Maybe you're having panic attacks or something? Bipolar disorder can cause mood swings, too.

[Sooner02]

I would look into asking your primary physician to see if he/she can refer you to a specialist. Definitely nothing to be ashamed of.

[GottaHavePride]

I would say that sounds more bipolar than clinicaly depressed. If it becomes an issue (well, that you're asking the question means you already think it's somewhat of an issue, so your call here) go talk to a counselor or therapist.

[texas bandman]

If you ask this question on this board, you might want to talk to someone who has a little more expertise. Better to talk to a professional and be relieved to find that what you are feeling is normal than not getting the treatment you need if it's not. There were times when I was younger that I wished that I had taken my own advise. I think that at times during college I was borderline clinically depressed, but then you didn't really bring these things up in the 1970s. As I get older my faith has been my anchor and my spiritual leaders are the people that I go to if I need to battle the demons. Good luck and God Bless.

[setem]

If it comes and goes quickly, it's probably not depression. Maybe you're having panic attacks or something? Bipolar disorder can cause mood swings, too.

I thought I could be having panic attacks. I hate not having control of myself and seriously lose it. Not violently or anything just super sad.

I am feeling better now, I really could go without going through this again though.

I do keep **** bottled up. I am not big on talking about the problems I do have. What set me off tonight was a guy we were playing with was commenting on me not having a job. If it had been any other time it would have slid right off my back. It didnt this time I didnt go off while we were playing but you could tell I was not happy. I was a def Debby downer. No fun at all.

Before nothing set me off it just happened.

[en4cer]

Go rent this. Watch it...

I thought it was funny.


http://www.rottentomatoes.com/dor/objects/963357/son_of_rambow/videos/son_rambow_021308.html



:gary:

[olevetonahill]

Uh yer a student right ?
Then you DO have a Jorb . Its Called Making Grades .

[tommieharris91]

Flirt with some new wimmens. There's plenty here in Norman.

Seriously, do what everyone else here says and get some professional help. Goddard would be a good start for you.

[Penguin]

Please remember, there is absolutely no shame if you get prescribed an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer. It is only to correct a chemical imbalance. It is not a weakness in your personality.

I remember it was a looong time before I finally agreed to take mine because there was "shame" associated with it in my mind. I am still kicking my *** for delaying it for so long.

[Blue]

Paxil. YWIA.

[Rogue]

Tommie is right...at OU Goddard is the place to start.

As for your question...go see someone who can diagnose depression.
A clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. Any MD can, but some are still not all that comfortable with mental health. On the other hand, primary care docs prescribe more anit depressants than psychiatrists. All of them are at Goddard and most college campuses have a counseling center.

Then you have choices about what to do about it. MDs will want to give you meds...a good start. Counseling types usually want to try psychotherapy...another good option. A combination of both is usually the most effective.

In all seriousness...exercise is one of the best things you can do for your emotional well being. Sounds like that sorta backfired on you here so I'd say it's time to go see someone that does this for a living.

All that said, not everyone responds well to the meds or counseling. So, don't expect a "cure" right away. Sometimes it takes awhile for the meds to make a difference, a med trial and change, and a few sessions of the talk therapy before you see results.

I think our physical medicine is still about 50% ART and 50% Science....mental health even more art. I bet in 50 years we look back at how we treated depression and anxiety now and think it was the dark ages or something.

[Hamhock]

Please remember, there is absolutely no shame if you get prescribed an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer. It is only to correct a chemical imbalance. It is not a weakness in your personality.

I remember it was a looong time before I finally agreed to take mine because there was "shame" associated with it in my mind. I am still kicking my *** for delaying it for so long.

penguin is right. there is absolutely no shame in taking meds for it. however, i encourage you to try to figure out the root of it and try to work through it before, or at least during taking the meds. you don't want to just bandaid over the problem.

unless you feel like you're about to kill some folk. then, take the meds now.

[soonerhubs]

Setem. There are days when I have really high highs and other times when I have low lows. I have OCD which quite often leads to cycles of depressive symptoms. Since I now study this as a research scientist, I'm beginning to see how these mechanisms operate from a family systems perspective. These folks that are saying go to the Doctor are right. If you ever need a friend to talk to just PM me friend. Don't be ashamed of this for it's not something you can control alone.

[Okla-homey]

I know some of you will give me **** but I just wanted to ask.

How do I know if I have clinical depression?

I am a pretty happy go lucky person. I really do not let **** get me down. I coach baseball so when we lose I am not happy but I do not go off the deep end or anything.

Sometimes I just break down. Tonight I was playing tennis with some friends and my friend and I lost. I play plenty of tennis and lose my fair share and never act like an *******. When I got in my car I felt like complete ****. I wont go into detail about it because I am ashamed and dont feel like a man.

The reason I ask is because this has happened to be before. Last time I was just sitting on my couch and I started getting an uneasy feeling and eventually had some kind of break down.

My life is nothing to be be depressed about. I have no real problems due to being a college student. I have good grades so that doesnt get me down.

It's like a switch inside me turns and I am become miserable.

Maybe I am just being a bitch or maybe I have serious problem.

Thoughts?

Go get help. There's no shame in that son.

[achiro]

IF you want to try something besides meds(all psychotropic drugs have side effects that can be very significant) try using fish oil. Yeah I know, "that chiro is a nutjob" but several mainstream studies have shown the effectiveness. http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20021018/fish-oil-eases-depression
I usually recommend between 800-1200 mg of EPA(if you go higher, back down to around 800 after the first month)

[OUDoc]

IF you want to try something besides meds(all psychotropic drugs have side effects that can be very significant) try using fish oil. Yeah I know, "that chiro is a nutjob" but several mainstream studies have shown the effectiveness. http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20021018/fish-oil-eases-depression
I usually recommend between 800-1200 mg of EPA(if you go higher, back down to around 800 after the first month)

While that may be fine, achiro (I haven't heard of it's use for that), he really should try to get a diagnosis before trying to self-medicate (which, IMO, isn't a good idea).
Go see what your doctor thinks, setem. It's hard to diagnose someone over the internet. Good luck.

[sooner_born_1960]

It's hard to bill someone over the internet. Good luck.

Fixed.

I hope you get the help you need, setem.

[soonerhubs]

While that may be fine, achiro (I haven't heard of it's use for that), he really should try to get a diagnosis before trying to self-medicate (which, IMO, isn't a good idea).
Go see what your doctor thinks, setem. It's hard to diagnose someone over the internet. Good luck.
Doc is spot on.

[Hamhock]

It's hard to make someone wait an hour while I play on the computer, over the internet. Good luck.

fixed again

[achiro]

While that may be fine, achiro (I haven't heard of it's use for that), he really should try to get a diagnosis before trying to self-medicate (which, IMO, isn't a good idea).
Go see what your doctor thinks, setem. It's hard to diagnose someone over the internet. Good luck.

I never said not to go to the doc. What I said was intended to be in the mean time and/or some info to ask the doc about. Here's the only problem I have with this. First, you said yourself that you hadn't heard of omega fatty acids being helpful, so why would we think any other MD out there would. This research goes back at least to around 99 when harvard did a study, as I recall it was so succesful that they discontinued the study on "ethical grounds" or something like that because of the ones not taking fish oil. There have been multiple studies showing similar results. Not picking on you here but here's the issue, he goes to a doc, tells this story and MOST are going to prescribe some sort of mind altering drug with side effects. I am not saying this isn't the ultimate answer, what I am saying is that the minute he ends up in a docs office, his chances of handling this any other way besides wth drugs have dropped significantly. I am not going to argue back and forth on this. I have seen enough people in my life that I hated seeing the side effects. I have also seen people that have done very well on the drugs but if someone can do it in a way without side effect why in the world wouldn't we all want to see that?

[Hamhock]

but if someone can do it in a way without side effect why in the world wouldn't we all want to see that?

depends. is the side effect a 4 hour erection?

[OUDoc]

Fixed.

I hope you get the help you need, setem.
Correct. :D

Doc is spot on.
Correct. :D

fixed again
Correct. :D

I never said not to go to the doc.
No, you didn't. I was just clarifying.


What I said was intended to be in the mean time and/or some info to ask the doc about. Here's the only problem I have with this. First, you said yourself that you hadn't heard of omega fatty acids being helpful, so why would we think any other MD out there would. This research goes back at least to around 99 when harvard did a study, as I recall it was so succesful that they discontinued the study on "ethical grounds" or something like that because of the ones not taking fish oil. There have been multiple studies showing similar results.
Studies so successful that MDs and the general public aren't aware that omega-3's are good for depression? (I haven't had time to read your link yet, but I find it unusual that they were so good no one knows about it.)


Not picking on you here but here's the issue, he goes to a doc, tells this story and MOST are going to prescribe some sort of mind altering drug with side effects. I am not saying this isn't the ultimate answer, what I am saying is that the minute he ends up in a docs office, his chances of handling this any other way besides wth drugs have dropped significantly.
Complete speculation. You don't know what I would do any more than I know what you would do. Based on the few seconds it took to read his posts, I'm not convinced he has depression, which is why I told him to see his doctor.


I am not going to argue back and forth on this. I have seen enough people in my life that I hated seeing the side effects. I have also seen people that have done very well on the drugs but if someone can do it in a way without side effect why in the world wouldn't we all want to see that?
So OTC herbal meds have no side effects? Anything you ingest can/does have side effects. I don't want people thinking that just because it's "natural", it can't be dangerous (I don't think omega-3's are dangerous, BTW). Nor would I want someone taking medicine that may not work. He should see the doctor of his choice for advice since he doesn't know what going on.

[Okla-homey]

There have been multiple studies showing similar results. Not picking on you here but here's the issue, he goes to a doc, tells this story and MOST are going to prescribe some sort of mind altering drug with side effects. I am not saying this isn't the ultimate answer, what I am saying is that the minute he ends up in a docs office, his chances of handling this any other way besides wth drugs have dropped significantly. I am not going to argue back and forth on this. I have seen enough people in my life that I hated seeing the side effects. I have also seen people that have done very well on the drugs but if someone can do it in a way without side effect why in the world wouldn't we all want to see that?


achiro, FWIW from a layman, I've been aware of too many young people putting a pistol in their mouths for my comfort. I'd rather see a person deal with some side-effects from mood elevators than be in a box six-feet under --or worse.

Is there anything wrong with trying the meds first, see if they help while noting side-effects, and if the side-effects indeed are severe, trying something else? It just seems to me a truly holistic approach would use every tool in the toolbox to try and help folks without disgarding meds at the front-end. It also seems to me psycho-analysis and therapy could play an important role.

[8timechamps]

That chiro is a nutjob.

[CK Sooner]

That chiro is a nutjob.

:eek:

[Penguin]

Oh, and please don't underestimate the therapeutic value of hookers.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Or a shovel to bury them with.

Hard work, AKA exercise, is a wonderful means to release endorphins. So get you some hookers, bang them, then bury their dead body for a double shot of joy.

[achiro]

So OTC herbal meds have no side effects? Anything you ingest can/does have side effects. I don't want people thinking that just because it's "natural", it can't be dangerous (I don't think omega-3's are dangerous, BTW). Nor would I want someone taking medicine that may not work. He should see the doctor of his choice for advice since he doesn't know what going on.

I don't generally recommend herbals so we do agree on that point. Fish oil is not an herbal remedy, it is an ESSENTIAL fatty acid. Meaning we need and have to get through diet. We don't get nearly the amounts we need. I can't tell you why you haven't heard about the effectiveness and neccessity of Omega-3, not reading the right stuff I guess.;)

[OUDoc]

I can't tell you why you haven't heard about the effectiveness and neccessity of Omega-3, not reading the right stuff I guess.;)

The study you linked only had 70 people in it. Not a really useful study.

[achiro]

achiro, FWIW from a layman, I've been aware of too many young people putting a pistol in their mouths for my comfort. I'd rather see a person deal with some side-effects from mood elevators than be in a box six-feet under --or worse.
There is a huge problem with your theory here.
http://biopsychiatry.com/antidepressants/fda-warning.html


Is there anything wrong with trying the meds first, see if they help while noting side-effects, and if the side-effects indeed are severe, trying something else?
SOme of the worst side effects occur when the patient tries to get off of these meds.

It just seems to me a truly holistic approach would use every tool in the toolbox to try and help folks without disgarding meds at the front-end. It also seems to me psycho-analysis and therapy could play an important role.
Every tool-yes, but conservative(meaning least invasive and least side effects) first.

[setem]

Oh, and please don't underestimate the therapeutic value of hookers.

If I had the money I might consider a hooker. Getting laid has not been much a problem as of late but you guys are right. I don't think I will hop on the meds just yet due to the fact that I am no where near suicidal or homicidal. I just got super down and it felt like I had no control over my emotions. It was everything I could do to not break down while we were playing tennis.

I am feeling great today! The weekend is starting and I have a plan I am going to start on next week to earn some money while I am in school.(no hooking or stripping)

Thanks for all the advise and I will let you guys know what is up in the next couple of weeks or so.:pop:

[CK Sooner]

If I had the money I might consider a hooker. Getting laid has not been much a problem as of late but you guys are right. I don't think I will hop on the meds just yet due to the fact that I am no where near suicidal or homicidal. I just got super down and it felt like I had no control over my emotions. It was everything I could do to not break down while we were playing tennis.

I am feeling great today! The weekend is starting and I have a plan I am going to start on next week to earn some money while I am in school.(no hooking or stripping)

Thanks for all the advise and I will let you guys know what is up in the next couple of weeks or so.:pop:


Watch the game this weekend :D

[Penguin]

Watch the game this weekend :D

With a hooker.

[setem]

Watch the game this weekend :D

That is what I am looking forward to the most this weekend!

I love away games...

Beer Brats! Italian Sausage! Chicken Wings

Beer Beer and More Beer!

I am always happy when drinking teh beer!

AND TWINS!!!