Depression, Anxiety, or Rut? Need help.

FriendlyMugger · ‎13-12-2014

I’ve always struggled with anxiety throughout my life. About two weeks ago I got into a really bad cycle of anxiety, (probably the worst I’ve experienced to date) and when I finally got out of it after about a week, I felt strange - kind of empty and flat.

My emotions seemed blunted, my sense of humor dulled. This was obviously bothersome, and stimulated my anxiety. I began to worry if I was depressed. I was sleeping a lot, not too interested in my usual hobbies, and feeling disconnected from some of my friends. Over the next week, I felt the same general way. However, a few times, I’ve managed to “snap out of it”, usually when I would reason with myself enough to convince me I’m fine. One particular night, after one of these realizations, I felt perfectly back to normal - great mood, sense of humor back. I felt truly normal.

However, the next day, I found myself slipping back into the feeling of the disinterested rut. This past semester, my two best friends went to Europe to study aboard, and my girlfriend left for Florida (1,000 miles away) to do the Disney College Program. I love my roommate but he’s rarely ever home. As a result, I spend a lot of time by myself, not really doing all that much. There’s not a lot to do on campus and I don’t have a heavy courseload. I can’t figure out if these moods are caused by genuine depression, or if I’m getting bored and lonely, and my anxiety is grasping on to this, bringing me down further, creating this weird rut. When I’m in big groups or in a fun social setting I can sometimes “let go” and enjoy myself, but when I’m alone, the more I think, the worse I feel - once I’m down like this, it’s hard to get out of it. Do I have reason to be concerned that I’m actually suffering from depression, or am I letting my anxiety make me over analyze my feelings and perpetuate a bad mood that would have otherwise passed? Thanks for any help.

turtl3 · ‎13-12-2014

Hi friendlymugger,

From personal experience, anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, whilst being chalk and cheese. they often trigger each other and (can) create create a snowball effect, but on their own- they are two completely separate problems.

I go though similar phases where im normal, just happy and easy-going, full of humour and enjoy everything. then ill find myself secluded and alone and get into this low feeling, probably because i feel like im not accomplishing, or doing anything, for anyone else?

all in all, your not for talking to yourself, your only crazy when u start answering yourself (haha jk). maybe you should consult your GP and let them know how your feeling, i was recently prescribed something with little side effects, that is great for depression, anxiety and social phobias.

that being said, you should always try non medicated ways of tackling depression and anxiety first. keep in touch with your friends, MAKE something to do on campus if you find yourself bored, exercise, party...enjoy whats available.

geoff · ‎14-12-2014

dear FM, I agree with Turtl anxiety and depression go hand in hand, but depression is the main illness where all the other conditions which are listed under the tab 'The Facts' at the top of the page fall under.

Have you done the K10 test which determines a score on the level of depression, if not, then google this 'K10 test for depression', so for starters you can then come back to us with a score.

I haven't addressed your comment as yet, which I will, but have a go at the test nd then we can reply back to you, there's no rush only when you have time. Geoff.

FriendlyMugger · ‎15-12-2014

Hey folks! Thank you all for responding to me, I'm new here but this forum seems like it's one of the most supportive, positive places on the web, which is really reassuring for me.

Geoff, I took the K10 test like you said, and scored a 24, which was labelled as "moderate".

The thing that's been really confusing for me is that while this has been a persistent issue, it often seems to be directly correlated to my anxiety. I think about this all the time, which I wish I didn't, but when I manage to get my mind off it - for example, by interacting with people I care about, the mood lifts. I laugh, I enjoy my time, I get excited about the thing I've always been interested in. Likewise, when I read/think something that soothes my anxiety, I also feel my mood instantly lift. When I'm alone, it comes back into mind and I fall back into the mood.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

geoff · ‎15-12-2014

dear FM, thanks for doing the test and a score of 24 is having a mild mental disorder, but this could lead onto having a full on episode of depression/ anxiety which could cripple you, and by this I mean that it could inhibit everything you were once capable of doing.

The main problem here is that when you're alone your mind broods away, just like all those suffering from this illness, and I am so guilty of doing this myself, because we always think the worst, but then if people came along I would change my mood and pretend to be happy, laugh, joke and make out that there was no depression in me, so these people could never believe that I was suffering from this horrible illness.

They would make comments 'that he was OK last week when we saw him, because he was jovial and making jokes', so our pretentious world can go on for a short time, but eventually it comes crashing down.

So basically what this means is that you still need to see your doctor, because wishing and hoping that it will all go away by itself is not a reality, it may do this at an early stage, but it returns, so you need help to be able to overcome these ups and downs, but please remember that it's not your fault, and if for some reason you keep blaming yourself it only makes it much harder to be able to deal with this situation.

You are a newcomer to the site, and I wish we could welcome you on much better terms, but never the less we want you have trust in what all of us have to say.

Some comments from us you may not agree with, and if this happens it's not an indication to leave the site, because we only think aloud and offer from our own experience and what hardship we have been through. Geoff.

FriendlyMugger · ‎15-12-2014

Geoff,

Thank you so much for taking time to answer my post. It's the supportive atmosphere I've seen everyone here that makes me want to be a part of this site. I hope that in time I too can come to help people.

It's just hard because I'm always doubting what is and isn't wrong with me. I've suffered from OCD, and I've experienced intrusive thoughts all my life, and as a result, I was always very anxious about my health.

This makes me wonder if all of this is another set of intrusive thoughts, convincing me that I'm not okay. When I get involved with people and my mind isn't focused on it, I'm not pretending to feel better, I actually do. It's not until the thoughts pop back into my head that I start to sink.

I started counseling through my university's wellness center this past week, but I don't know if I liked the counsellor - I left the session ruminating more about what I felt, and I feel like she wasn't very involved. I definitely want to get better. I'm trying my best to stay active, not isolate myself, and reach out to others.

One other question - I've noticed that a LOT of my symptoms fall almost exactly in line to problems with the thyroid. Do you think it would be beneficial to get checked out for this?

geoff · ‎16-12-2014

dear FM, thanks for getting back to us, because you're also talking to someone who has had OCD for 54 years, and these intrusive thoughts can be annoying, but I want to suggest that you get a blood test to check on your thyroid.

I do have my doubts about uni counsellors , but you will need to get a blood test script from your doctor who can also put you on a medicare plan which entitles you to 10 free visits per year to see a psych.

It's probably too late to see one this year as Xmas approaches us next week, but please do both starting with a blood test.

I want to talk to you some more but do this. Geoff.

FriendlyMugger · ‎16-12-2014

Hey Geoff,

I'm going home from uni in just a couple days, so I think I'll talk to my family about this and schedule blood work as soon as I can. I'll definitely keep you updated on any results as I get them.

geoff · ‎16-12-2014

dear FM, that would be terrific and thanks. Geoff.