Am I depressed ...

[charlie_red]

Today I had an appointment with the clinical psychologist at the pain clinic. Half way through the meeting I just broke down. I found it so hard to talk about the pain, relationships with friends, boyfriend & parents, work, lifestyle - Everything.

He also suggested that I might have depression/anxiety. I explained that I had been to the doctors August last year suffering with a low mood. I was told to look at self help material. That's all.

Today I told him how I've been feeling, relating to my pain - Angry, frustrated, feeling alone & isolated.

Are these feelings related to depression?

[TheAuthor]

Hi charlie_red

I am so sorry to read that you are feeling this way, and I always say to people that their is a very fine line between feeling unhappy and feeling depressed. I can easily envisage that constant chronic pain can make anyone feel depressed as it is easy to lose hope.

That really is the measuring stick with depression, hope! Do you feel that nothing is worth bothering about? Do you feel that life isn't worth living? Do your energy levels shrink when you think about things that you need to do? If so, then you probably are bordering on depression.

I would really find a GP at your surgery that you can discuss this matter with. I have pasted you the NHS Choices page relating to depression and I really hope that you find it useful:

nhs.uk/conditions/depressio...

Please remember that it is okay to get upset and to cry, it is the only way that doctors and consultants can see that there is something wrong and that we need their help. It is our way of saying that there is something wrong.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[beckyglen]

Hey Charlie,

I'm really sorry you are feeling low and are in pain. I feel very similar and have wondered if I am depressed. All of the medical professionals I have spoken to have said that chronic pain often causes people to feel depressed at times. Who wouldn't feel this crazy range of emotions we often express if they had chronic pain, sleep deprivation and all the other symptoms we with fibro have to deal with?

All I would say is it is best to talk to someone about how you are feeling whether it is family, friends, a counsellor, the lovely people here. And maybe you should discuss how you are feeling with your GP again?

I hope that you can feel better really soon. I try to cheer myself up by doing something I enjoy like baking or watching a funny movie - as well as having a good cry

Take care and sending you big fluffy hugs

Becky xxx

[gracesgrandma]

Hi charlie-red it sounds like you are suffering from the, what I call, fibro depression. This comes from not being listened to and quite frankly being sick and tired of being sick and tired.Please just do one thing first listen to yourself and what your body is telling you. Secondly do not feel guilty or blame yourself. Finally remember, because I know some people are worried by the word depression, just don't give a monkeys :o) good luck xx

[nellyq]

Sus out the the Dr in your surgery who is going to be the best to help you. Seeing a sympathetic Dr is going to make you feel so much better. Mines wonderful he understands FM and depression so I'm very fortunate. X

[honyman]

hi there was very sorry to hear how you are feeling we all get down with illness it takes the joy out of life my wife died 3 years ago and had been in a wheelchair for 20 years before that i had a son born with heart probs so as you can see we all have it bad

i was told i had fibro 3 months after i lost my wife so i had deprestion very bad what got me though was how upbeat she had allways been nothing ever got her down she allways had a smile and i think if she could be like that why should i feel sorry for myself

i guess what im trying to say in a round about way is that there are allways people worse off than you so just think how much worse it could be and take comfort from that fact and try to enjoy the life you have even if its not realy the one you would choose for yourself

maurice