I need help Identifying an emotional issue

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AirQuest

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A lot of people came forward, and answered my other post, so I'm hoping to get feedback here, on something far more serious.

I have a problem where every so often for a period usually lasting a few months out of the year I feel like it's hard to describe it's like sadness, but more empty. I feel like I'm really empty, and apathetic. I just lose motivation, feel hopeless, it becomes a chore for me to do anything. I've never attempted suicide, but on particularly bad days, sometimes weeks I'll start pondering about it.

What confuses me the most is that it's out of nowhere. I don't have a bad life, at least there's nothing I can really complain about. When it happens it's literally as I said just an out of nowhere occurrence. I could have a perfect, previous day, and then wake up, and the above kicks in.

I'd like help in possibly identifying where this comes from. This is a serious concern to me, and I will be appreciative of any advice given.
 
I'd like to give a huge DISCLAIMER that I am not a licensed psychiatrist, and that you should take my words with a grain of salt.

That being said, does this happen around the same time every year? If so, it could be seasonal depression, which isn't too uncommon. :/ You mentioned that it comes out of nowhere and that you don't have a bad life, but, yeah, that's the thing that sucks about mental illness. It isn't rational. Depression often happens not because there's a rational reason why you feel sad/unmotivated but just because your brain isn't producing enough of the chemicals that it's supposed to.

I'd definitely recommend seeing a psychiatrist about this if you're worried that you might have seasonal depression (and, like I said, your description definitely seems to match my understanding of it rather well...). And even if it's not seasonal depression, I'd still recommend seeing a psychiatrist, because they'll be more likely to know what the problem actually is.

Sorry to hear that you're going through this, by the way. If it turns out to be something diagnosable, then I hope you're able to find some sort of treatment that works for you. Good luck, man.
 
I'd like to give a huge DISCLAIMER that I am not a licensed psychiatrist, and that you should take my words with a grain of salt.

That being said, does this happen around the same time every year? If so, it could be seasonal depression, which isn't too uncommon. :/ You mentioned that it comes out of nowhere and that you don't have a bad life, but, yeah, that's the thing that sucks about mental illness. It isn't rational. Depression often happens not because there's a rational reason why you feel sad/unmotivated but just because your brain isn't producing enough of the chemicals that it's supposed to.

I'd definitely recommend seeing a psychiatrist about this if you're worried that you might have seasonal depression (and, like I said, your description definitely seems to match my understanding of it rather well...). And even if it's not seasonal depression, I'd still recommend seeing a psychiatrist, because they'll be more likely to know what the problem actually is.

Sorry to hear that you're going through this, by the way. If it turns out to be something diagnosable, then I hope you're able to find some sort of treatment that works for you. Good luck, man.
Thank you, and I have thought of this, I mean seeing someone, but I'm scared to.
 
I'd like to give a huge DISCLAIMER that I am not a licensed psychiatrist, and that you should take my words with a grain of salt.

That being said, does this happen around the same time every year? If so, it could be seasonal depression, which isn't too uncommon. :/ You mentioned that it comes out of nowhere and that you don't have a bad life, but, yeah, that's the thing that sucks about mental illness. It isn't rational. Depression often happens not because there's a rational reason why you feel sad/unmotivated but just because your brain isn't producing enough of the chemicals that it's supposed to.

I'd definitely recommend seeing a psychiatrist about this if you're worried that you might have seasonal depression (and, like I said, your description definitely seems to match my understanding of it rather well...). And even if it's not seasonal depression, I'd still recommend seeing a psychiatrist, because they'll be more likely to know what the problem actually is.

Sorry to hear that you're going through this, by the way. If it turns out to be something diagnosable, then I hope you're able to find some sort of treatment that works for you. Good luck, man.
Also to answer yes, it does occur around the same time.
 
Like Kaga stated, you should definitely see your doctor. They'll be able to give you a more accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, hang in there bud. Depression isn't fun at all (I know this because I've suffered from it before) and while this may not be the same for you, seeing a therapist personally helped me out a lot in identifying why I got depressed. Just make sure to see a doctor and again, hang in there.
 
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Thank you, and I have thought of this, I mean seeing someone, but I'm scared to.
Yes, and that is understandable. What I recommend is to wait until your next regular physical rolls around and mention it to your doctor then. They'll probably refer you to a specialist at that point, but I find it's easier to get the ball rolling that way than to work up the nerve to arrange an appointment with a psychiatrist on your own.
 
Like Kaga stated, you should definitely see your doctor. They'll be able to give you a more accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, hang in there bud. Depression isn't fun at all (I know this because I've suffered from it before) and while this may not be the same for you, seeing a therapist personally helped me out a lot in identifying why I got depressed. Just make sure to see a doctor and again, hang in there.
Thank you, I like that you have personal experience.
 
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Yes, and that is understandable. What I recommend is to wait until your next regular physical rolls around and mention it to your doctor then. They'll probably refer you to a specialist at that point, but I find it's easier to get the ball rolling that way than to work up the nerve to arrange an appointment with a psychiatrist on your own.
A friend of mine, he said something stupid. He said something really stupid, that was blown way out of proportion by our school's counselor, and she basically spent half a year playing mind games with him. She would even outright lie, and say she had his parents permission, when they told me, that she never once called them. My friend even admitted that while he would probably never even hurt anyone, that after the 50th time of being asked about it, he felt like saying yes, just to see if she (the counselor) would back off. That's what scares me.
 
A friend of mine, he said something stupid. He said something really stupid, that was blown way out of proportion by our school's counselor, and she basically spent half a year playing mind games with him. She would even outright lie, and say she had his parents permission, when they told me, that she never once called them. My friend even admitted that while he would probably never even hurt anyone, that after the 50th time of being asked about it, he felt like saying yes, just to see if she (the counselor) would back off. That's what scares me.
Well... I have two theories as to what might've been happening there:
  1. Maybe you have a really shitty school counselor, who did things that they should not be doing. That's really messed up, and I feel like you should probably report that...?
  2. I don't know much about why your friend was sent to see a counselor in the first place, but I suppose it's... possible that they might have some sort of issue with compulsive lying or perhaps paranoia, and are saying things about your counselor that aren't true.
THAT SECOND ONE IS A BIT OF A LONG-SHOT, but theoretically possible...

In any case, if you're afraid to see your school counselor then you don't have to start there. I've heard a few horror stories about school counselors, as well (although nothing on the scale you described...), and I get the idea that they're not always the best for the job. Your regular pediatrician, however, will probably do more than just refer you to your school counselor. They can probably refer you to a 100% bona-fide psychiatrist who is not connected to your school at all, and is likely to produce better results.

I think it's perhaps worth looking into whatever was going on with your school counselor, though. If she's really doing that kind of stuff (which is the more likely explanation) then I feel like that should be reported to someone... cuz it's really messed-up... o_o"
 
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Well... I have two theories as to what might've been happening there:
  1. Maybe you have a really shitty school counselor, who did things that they should not be doing. That's really messed up, and I feel like you should probably report that...?
  2. I don't know much about why your friend was sent to see a counselor in the first place, but I suppose it's... possible that they might have some sort of issue with compulsive lying or perhaps paranoia, and are saying things about your counselor that aren't true.
THAT SECOND ONE IS A BIT OF A LONG-SHOT, but theoretically possible...

In any case, if you're afraid to see your school counselor then you don't have to start there. I've heard a few horror stories about school counselors, as well (although nothing on the scale you described...), and I get the idea that they're not always the best for the job. Your regular pediatrician, however, will probably do more than just refer you to your school counselor. They can probably refer you to a 100% bona-fide psychiatrist who is not connected to your school at all, and is likely to produce better results.

I think it's perhaps worth looking into whatever was going on with your school counselor, though. If she's really doing that kind of stuff (which is the more likely explanation) then I feel like that should be reported to someone... cuz it's really messed-up... o_o"
Thanks again! I'm going to sleep on the things I've been told.
 
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Thanks again! I'm going to sleep on the things I've been told.
That's great! Good luck. I hope you find the help you need. ^^
 
As the opposite of you, i had dealed with a lot in real life, and had suicidal toughts, now, as the time pass (it wasn't easy), i was finally able to telling what i had in mind to the people who created a great part of the issues..

also, believe me, in my country, our "éducation nationale", is not even better in many points, they fail to do their jobs, and that, it's a real shame..
 
As the opposite of you, i had dealed with a lot in real life, and had suicidal toughts, now, as the time pass (it wasn't easy), i was finally able to telling what i had in mind to the people who created a great part of the issues..

also, believe me, in my country, our "éducation nationale", is not even better in many points, they fail to do their jobs, and that, it's a real shame..
I'm sorry that you've been through so much, and hope your life is better now.
 
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It's a little better, i'm not bothered by the bad people anymore, so, i stick with the good ones ^^
 
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As someone who's most likely chronically depressed but had been convinced I wasn't for the three years, I'd like to mention depression isn't always just feeling sad and crying like anti-depressant commercials make it seem like it is. I even attended those mandatory highschool presentations about mental illness and was more certain I didn't have depression afterwards- which I think is hilarious.

There are a lot of symptoms that you might not necessarily associate with it- being irritable, loss of energy, moody, losing sleep or sleeping too much, feeling tired even after waking up (it can actually change what your brain does during sleep so you don't get as refreshed!) losing your appetite, gaining or losing weight, feeling emotionless, not caring about anything, feeling like everything takes a lot of energy you don't have. The feeling like everything is a massive chore is a huge symptom for a lot of people, which is why depression is associated with not getting out of bed or not being able to even shower regularly for some people.

It coming out of nowhere is common too. You might be likely to be even more depressed if something bad happens, but a lot of times depression doesn't have a cause- it's just your brain being weird or having bad chemistry. My mood is definitely influenced by what happens to me a lot- but usually however depressed I am at any given moment will relate to how much my mood drops after the bad thing happens.

For example, I could be having a good week mood-wise. Something bad might happen, like having to close at work at stay for 8+ hours until 12am. Because I'm having a good week I'll be unhappy about it, but I'll be able to get everything at work done at a normal pace and come home and relax a bit and talk to my friends online. If I'm having a bad week mood-wise, I might have to do the same closing routine, but I'll be so unhappy that every moment will be torture. It'll take me a lot longer and I might have to skip smaller things just to manage getting the bigger and more important ones done, because I don't have any energy. I'll come home and will probably stay in bed the rest of the night and not get out. My mood is ruined so I can't talk to anyone, and every little thing will annoy me.

I'm in a position where I can't get help right now, so I'm just trying to manage everything one day at a time and not think too hard about the future.

That being said, seeing a doctor so it doesn't get worse is a good idea. Waiting until a physical exam or until you have to go in for any other reason is nice for convenience, or if you don't want to tell your parents about it. If you think you want to see a doctor as soon as possible, you could tell your parents you think you might have depression, or make up a reason. That being said, if you're a minor, depending on laws your parents are able to know about your health without your consent. I don't remember the specifics, but stuff may be able to be kept private as long as you or someone else isn't in danger.

Some mental illnesses are hereditary, so one of your parents or even some of your other relatives might have some type of depression, and they might be understanding. I can't tell you because I don't have any experience with your parents. If you don't know how they'll react, bring up a made-up schoolmate and mention them dealing with depression as casually/naturally as you can. You can usually figure out someone's attitude on a topic without revealing yourself if you're scared.

As far as school counselors go- in my experience, they're best for fixing your schedule and choosing classes and even then sometimes they're not helpful. Other people might have better experiences, but I've never talked too much about it with people who didn't go to the same school as me.

Your general doctor will have the qualifications and license to diagnose and help set up treatment for your depression, or be able to test for physical issues that cause symptoms that feel like depression but aren't and have a different cause.

Talking about mental illness can be scary, but if it makes you feel any better depression and anxiety are the most common mental illnesses and lots of people have them, so your doctor will probably have lots of other patients with it and your family or friends might either be dealing with depression or already know someone with it! In that sense, depression is actually very normal, and relatable for a lot of people.
 
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