Is it normal to not know why you are depressed?

[Melissa_El_K]

Hi

I am a 25 year old girl working full time in a pharmaceutical company. I have been down and just not happy for the last few months. I took the Beyond Blue checklist and I scored 31 (high) and most of my friends have been noticing that I haven't been myself lately. Is it normal to not know why I am feeling this way? I know something isn't right. I don't want to be alone but at the same time there are a lot of times when I just don't want to face anyone or see anyone. I am tired all the time and I cry when I am alone. I don't know what one thing is making me feel this way but I am always trying things to feel better but I don't think anything is working. What do I do?

[vip]

Melissa you have the symptoms of depression here go and see your GP asap and you may need medication and getting a referral to a psych will be beneficial here to find out whats going on. Take care

[Rbjustme]

Hi MelissaEIK,

Yes it is, depression has no boundaries, and you've come to the right place and made the first step to set things right for you. Go to your GP, and go through the necessary steps and tests he/she wants to conduct to ensure that there is not an underlying condition that is making you depressed, but most of all, do not try to solve this on your own. Each positive step you make towards resolving your problem, will make you feel better knowing that you are doing something about it.

We all become depressed at some time in our lives and normally we can work our way through it, via our bodies natural ability to heal itself but, sometimes we need a little help. You are a young lady and would have a lot going for you with a bright future. There will be some good advice offered to you in future posts from here, so don't go away, and remember do not try to do this alone.

Kindest Regards

RB

[geoff]

dear Melissa, you're in the prime of your life, and it's upsetting to know that you have depression.

Sometimes people can become depressed by a loss of someone special in their life, or maybe a family member, or the pressure of too much work and combine this with problems at home, but there are a huge majority of people that are suddenly struck down with depression, and can't understand why it's happened, and this is the most painful aspect of this illness.

You won't be able to unravel what has caused this by yourself, because your mind will flip from one problem to another, with the first one not being resolved, so it ends up being a confused and complicated mess, so that's why you need to seek professional advice, and you this by seeing your doctor first.

You have to realise that this depression may affect your job, only because you won't be able to concentrate on this job, and more than likely you will to take some time off work, before you break down whilst at work.

I hope that this does not happen, but in hindsight it would help you recover. L Geoff. x

[jess334]

Hi Melissa, 

Its very normal.  Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain.  If there isn't a trigger event (i.e. grief etc) then its possible that you have a chemical imbalance that is causing your depression.  This is why anti-depressants help. 

First step is to go and see your general practitioner, they will be able to do a mental health review, discuss medication with you and give you a referral to a psychologist.  Even if you choose not to take medication then speaking to a psychologist will help you talk it out. 

Good luck Melissa, let us know how you go.  

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Melissa,

A paradox - working for a pharmaceutical company and suffering depression.

If your company has any intergrity they should be able to communicate about this problem without manipulating the situation.  There may be a batch of other workers in the same boat.   You might cause an overhaul of company policies and procedures to try and stem the depressive flow from such work.

Your "I know something isnt' right" could be the canary singing in the pharmaceutical company, telling the bosses to review work place operations.

Crying alone is maybe a better release considering self harm.  I think you have some great coping mechanisms there.  Just need to relax a bit and let a counsellor in to your private world and thoughts to pick out the mental debris.

Adios, David.

PS  Try re-reading the responses and see if anything really clicks.  You know, in the same way you would discuss who was the best Batman (clue:  NOT Clooney).