AboutPatricia A. Schafer, PCC-S, NCC, LICDC Expertise I am a Licensed Professional Clinical
Counselor in Cleveland, Ohio and a National Certified Counselor. I am presently working on my PhD at Kent State. I specialize in Seasonal Affective Disorder, and other depression problems. Also, I counsel families of alcoholics/drug addictions; social phobia; stress; anxieties; women`s issues and a variety of other issues. If I can help, let me know. Thank you.
Recently I have been experiencing many negative thoughts. I seem to think of the worst possible scenario or outcome of a situation, and then convince myself this is what will happen.
I have always had the tendancy to look on the negative side of a situation with the attitude that if I prepare for the worst, then I wont be dissappointed if it happens, and if anything good happens then it is a bonus.
Lately it has been much more in the forefront of my mind, I have a constant feeling of anxiety, like butterflies in my stomach, and I have been feeling very lethargic and tiresome during the day, even though I sleep for 7-8 hours every night.
I have become stuck in rut with my job, and have a sense that my life isn't where I would want it to be in an ideal world, yet even though I know what would make me feel more alive I dont feel that I'm capable of achieving it, lacking confidence and motivation in so many aspects of daily life.
I have spoken briefly about this to several people who are close to me, and they have all said that this doesn't notice in the way I come across, yet inside I feel different to how I usually feel.
This is becoming a serious problem to me, as rather than burying the problem and overcoming it, I dont seem to have the mental strength to realise I am master of my own universe.
Do these symptoms represent depression? What would you advise for me to do to better my mental state?
Thanks if you can answer these questions.
Marc
Answer Hi Marc:
You do seem to be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression can take away your mastership of your universe. Depression takes away motivation for life, it is difficult to concentrate, to enjoy things, etc. Go to the website of Dr. Ivan Goldberg - just type his name in and up will come a few sites in his name - they all lead to the same thing. "Depression Central" will probably pop up, scroll down to a depression self-inventory/assessment. Take the assessment - it will show you how to score it, and see where you come out. Keep a copy and take it to your doctor - and I strongly recommend a psychiatrist because they KNOW their meds for depression. A family doctor does not study brain chemistry like a psychiatrist does.
It is common to come across different than how you feel. You face does not show a sign that says "I have depression, can't you see it?"
After you see your psychiatrist, ask if you need talk therapy to help you through your struggles. Sometimes, going through a depression, medications may be all you need.
Also, anxiety goes hand in hand with depression many times.
So, on Dr. Goldber's web site, take the self-inventory/assessment for anxiety too.
It is such an excellent and very educational website and will help you to answer your questions about depression.
