Could it be Depression?

[inmyopinion]

Not seeking medical advice, just general thoughts/experiences.  Not sure where else to ask this so here goes:

My husband just lost his job, and because of the nature of his profession, we will have to look for employment outside of this area, and that means selling the house and leaving an area we are firmly planted.  

I went back to work temporarily to help with bills, and my husband is at home looking for work and homeschooling while getting the house ready to sell.

It makes sense we are emotional, although very sure God will use this for good. We have a great support system.  

But, some days are super hard and the lows are low. i have no history of depression and am really generally ok. 

So here is the question, is it still possible to be suffering with depression when you know you have a reason to feel this bad?  I am probably not using the best terminology. but I am not sure if I should consider that possibility and treat it as such or just accept that my feelings are normal given the circumstances and ride it out.  All I know is I need all of my emotional strength to keep going and be a support to my family.    

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

There is such a thing as situational depression. 

[purplejackmama]

Yes. Sounds similar to how I felt when I was facing similar circumstances. Hugs! It's not easy, financial stress is so very stressful!!

[gardenmom5]

stress and depression have similar effect/impact upon the body's and the brain's biochemistry.

severe stress can also lead to depression - because of how biochemistry works.

 

I've btdt - but resisted treatment becasue i "wasn't depressed".  I needed rx, even though it was "stress".

 

start with a high quality b-complex.  stress goes through b vitamins so fast, it would make your head spin.  that will exacerbate the problem.  I use emerald laboratories b-healthy.  it did help - and I could tell if I hadn't been taking them.

[Catwoman]

I think it is perfectly normal to feel depressed in your situation. Hopefully it will pass when your circumstances improve again, but in the meantime, please don't be embarrassed to ask for help. :grouphug:

 

Praying for you and your family.

[kiwik]

There are two types of depression at least.  Situational depression is when any rational person would be depressed - death, unemployment, divorce, illness.  As a general rule it improves as circumstances improve or you start to heal.  If it seems to be limiting your life, getting worse or going on forever get help.  Also ask your support people to keep and eye on you - I often find I am the last one to work out I am depressed.  There is also the kind of depression that lots of us have which isn't really caused by anything much and is just a medical issue which needs treating.  Or stress has brought old stuff to the surface.  Good luck, if in doubt see a doctor sooner rather than later.

[nd293]

Yes. Although I'm always prone to worry and over-thinking, I'm also logical and rational, but at one stage too many things piled up and I did self-diagnose myself with depression. I followed that up with official medical input, and opted for a course of anti-depressants. I went on for 6 months but realistically should have stuck with them for another 6 months. They were hugely helpful in giving me the breathing space to regain my equilibrium and perspective. My doctor gave excellent advice on how to stop taking them, and I had no side effects, but I did feel pretty horrible for the first week or so of taking them (and actually ended up switching to another which suited me better). Take care of yourself.

Edited December 10, 2015 by nd293

[creekland]

I would say your feelings are normal and potentially even higher or lower based upon the time of the month as hormones seem to affect many of us females as much as "whatever" is going on outside.

 

However, if your small voice is also telling you it's more than you can (or want to) handle, I'd be listening to that small voice.  Our bodies tend to guide us appropriately if we let them.

 

How you handle that is up to you.  There are options of all sorts ranging from various meds to allowing yourself something that you know will pick you up (day off, favorite foods, running, etc).

 

Today is a day I'll be spending mostly in our barn and the great outdoors due specifically to a long term "no win" issue that has me far more frustrated/depressed than normal.  If everything were "normal" I'd be at school (my job), but it's not so I axed school for the day and will hide out in my cave with ponies who won't give a hoot how I'm feeling and will more or less force my mood to change.  (School students wouldn't care either, but... my barn cave is better with the way I feel today.)

 

Tomorrow should be better.

 

If you're getting to times when there are few or no "better" days (not your issue, but your mood), trying other methods to relieve stress is important IMO.  What methods are likely to work depends upon the person.  I would not ignore your feelings.  That's helping no one.

[RoundAbout]

I think its very  normal to be temporarily depressed by a difficult situation.  I have a family member who was under intense financial pressure for years  (IRS after them, unemployed, lawsuits against contractors, etc.).  As soon as they sold their house and got a well paid job it was like they were a new person.  Seriously have never seen this person happier than they are now because its the first time in their life they have been completely free from financial stress.  

[inmyopinion]

Thank you for the response.  What you all said made sense, and I am going to do some further research.  I just needed reassurance that it was normal to not feel normal.