Anyone deal with depression?
I know better than to ask a 'regular' person and not a doctor(although I will) but I think I have been suffering from depression lately.
-Had business problems that we thought we cleared up but some problems still exist.
-Had a child recently go off to college.
-Have a very hard time concentrating on ANYTHING.
-Don't want to do much of anything and I am (was) a very active person(raced dirt bikes, played golf at a very high level(still do), played softball this summer. But lately I want to come home and just watch TV until it's time to go to bed.
-Very easily irritated!!
-I'm 51 so 'the changes' can be a contributing factor.
Any thoughts? Help? Guidance?
Thanks
Been There and Done With It
BBW -
I went through some pretty tough times when I was your age. And I went through a period of depression that lasted six months, maybe longer.
Depression is generally a response to loss. It is a natural response. It can also come on when you subconsciously or consciously anticipate a loss. The things you are experiencing certainly indicate that you are in a depressed state.
Difficulty with memory is another indicator. In my case, it had to do with numbers. I've always been very good with numbers and at math. When I was depressed, I could not remember numbers. I had to write down phone numbers, for example, whereas I had always been able to just repeat them a couple times and remember them for a long time.
Actually, it was the numbers thing that told me I was coming out of the depression. When I realized that I was remembering numbers again, I knew that I was through it.
Seems to me lots of folks try to deny or demonize depression. Treating symptons with medications. Depression ain't fun, but it is something that is natural, and there are things to be learned from it if you let it run its course and try to learn from it.
Finally, please don't think of it as a weakness. Or endless, although, as I recall, it did seem like it would never end. BUT IT DID.
All the best while you deal with what is going on.
John