Can you self diagnose depression?

[striker]

or do you need some one to tell you?

when does being fed up become depression?
does a kick up the backside always work?

 

[piedwagtail91]

a kick up the backside will never work if it's depression.depression is an illness. there are tests on the internet which can be reasonably accurate if you answer the questions truthfully.

 

[Greedo]

Doubt it. You need to see someone if you feel like that!

Otherwise, give yourself a shake man!!!

(i'm only joking! I've got a family member who suffers from depression and it's not fun for them or anyone around them. Best thing is go to your doctor and be honest)

or do you need some one to tell you?

when does being fed up become depression?
does a kick up the backside always work?

 

[gbb]

or do you need some one to tell you?

when does being fed up become depression?
does a kick up the backside always work?

Forgive the use of 'you'. I'm talking in the third person.

I think it usually takes someone else to realise a persons struggling.

When does fed up become depression..depends on the person i guess. If the fed up phase becomes rooted and all encompassing, it's probably already progressed to depression. It can be a long time before 'you' realise you have depression, but you may have suffered for a long time beforehand without realising it.

Does a kick up the backside help....not neccessarily, and if it does it may be short term. I suspect unless the person deals with what bothered him in the first place...it'll come back.

 

[byegad]

It depends, having been there three times I can recognise the symptoms. I practically self referred the third time.

 

[Twenty Inch]

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15239

Check out the above thread for a good discussion, including a brilliant post explaining the difference between depression and feeling a bit pissed off.

I didn't realise I was depressed the first time, I self-diagnosed the second time. However it's different for everyone. I had huge anger issues and mood swings in my latest episode, which have abated, thankfully. Other people report crippling fear of abandonment, literally following their wife or husband around the house.

Two books I found helped:

The irritable male syndrome, and How to survive without psychotherapy.

Good luck

 

[Kirstie]

Depression is not just feeling fed up.
Read the thread about it in health and fitness...

 

[domtyler]

You can use this flow chart if you want:

1) Am I feeling depressed?
- Yes - go to 2)
- No - go to 3)

2) You are suffering from depression.

3) You are not suffering from depression.

 

[gratts]

Brilliant

 

[Mr Pig]

You can use this flow chart if you want:

1) Am I feeling depressed?
- Yes - go to 2)
- No - go to 3)

2) You are suffering from depression.

3) You are not suffering from depression.

Don't laugh! If you got to the doctors and tell him you're fed up he'll will take your word for it,diagnose depression and prescribe antidepressants. And then you're 'really' screwed!

 

[ACS]

IMO depression as a clinical condition cannot be self diagnosed. However, I believe that people who accept that they have the condition are able to recognise the condition in other people. Being tired and generally pissed off is now called depression like having a heavy cold is generally called flu (influenza). Any one who has ever had influenza knows that it is a bit more chronic than a cold. Same with depression, so please do not get the two mixed up.

And in response to the question you may be frightened to ask, the answer is Yes, for the last 12 years, 10 months and 3 days. I am not ashamed of my condition and I don’t care if people think I am weak or unstable or swinging the lead

In my experience and contrary to public opinion individuals who have been through the trauma of depression, experienced the darkness and crippling anxiety are some of the strongest, mentally tough and astute people I know. I have been fortunate to meet many sufferers and have learnt with their assistance and guidance to manage my condition.

 

[ACS]

Don't laugh! If you got to the doctors and tell him you're fed up he'll will take your word for it,diagnose depression and prescribe antidepressants. And then you're 'really' screwed!

You been there then Mr Pig?

 

[Mr Pig]

You been there then Mr Pig?

Nearly! Doctors give the impression that they know it all but half of the time they're guessing. They throw antidepressants at people in the same way that they over-prescribed antibiotics. i don't trust these people.

 

[craigwend]

You can but...

If you can get a copy of the Hospital Anxiety & Depression (HAD) scale (NHS direct used to use an online verson which told me to seek immediate medical help!) or Becks Depression Inventory they can be 'good indicators' (Both copyrighted though),

However worth talking it through with a 'professional' are there medical or biological reasons for the 'persistent and sustained low mood'?
Are the social reasons eg; relationships, finaces, debt, bereavement etc...
Is is a cause of substance use (eg, alcohol) , diet, lack of exercise... lack of sleep (newborn children) the list could go on, and therefore the routes and support to tackiling or living with do too.

 

[Shaun]

Forgive the use of 'you'. I'm talking in the third person.

I think it usually takes someone else to realise a persons struggling.

Ah, well, that's where I'd beg to differ - I more than recognised I was getting desperately depressed, beyond reasonable "fed-up-ness", and luckily for me took myself to the docs (well, okay, I conceed that the missus encouraged me a lot re: doctors) to get professional and medical help!

Although having been through it and out the other side, I would more than recognise the symptoms the second time round!

(Although having been through it, I'd never ever want to go back there either!!!)

Cheers,
Shaun