The question was submitted
10/18/2008
Subject: Was it GAD, SAD or DEPRESSION?
Hi,
I’ve been feeling very tired & wear out especially after work everyday, and living the days is like a chore to me, its getting harder. Waking up every morning is tedious and wish I could sleep through the day. Even with some rest over the weekend, I’m still so tired inside out, mentally and physically!!
Previously, was diagnosed with dysthymia and psychiatrist only prescribed me with mild anti-depressant. I see my problem was more than that. Because living everyday was like a torture to me. I don’t talk for almost whole day at work, not on good term with family members either. Constantly dwelling on unhappy pasts too.
I also have the symptoms of GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Feeling restless, easily fatigued and irritability, have this very annoying neck ache which doesn’t want to disappear and most importantly I have difficulty memorizing, concentrating and absorb what is being taught at work. Which often led me to think what will my colleagues think of me and why can’t I do a simple task.
Most of the time, my mind is empty and I’m like living at a “3rd dimension” world. I stared very often emptily and it’s very blank. My mind floats around at times when I’m not concentrating or even when I’m doing something. Why is it so? It’s getting worse these days.
Beside this, I always like to keep to myself and be alone most time. Neither do I not like nor know how to socialize or befriend with peoples around me, I have this difficulty of bringing what to say or how to react to certain situation. All I could do is avoid them most of the times, which in the long run now…is making me anti-social and peoples might look at me as a weirdo. I find it a chore to communicate with peoples and feel uncomfortable to be surrounded by them.
But I do have few close friends, only peoples who know me, will not judged me likewise.
And a minor or major matter will affect my performance at work or even daily life, because of the incapability to handle stressful or decisive situation when in one. Have tried to overcome all these problems, but I get so TIRED trying so hard. I’m always self-blaming and self-pitying, finding myself useless.
My main concern is, how can I get myself out of this dreadful “mental torture” or if there is other way to help besides on oral medication? I want to live normally, and not passing each day wasting away time… But I’m always SO TIRED, please help..
Thanks.
Answer from DepNet
Dear “Was it GAD, SAD or DEPRESSION?”
We hope that typing out your thoughts have helped clarified the issues for you.
Most people would definitely feel “SO TIRED” when they have so many negative beliefs & thoughts about themselves. Suppose we ask, if you were to say something good about yourself right now, what would you say? We wonder how long it would take you to come up with an answer. Would it be “nothing”? Or ”xxx but it’s because xxx”?
Hence, regardless of whatever label “GAD, SAD or DEPRESSION” that which is happening now still needs to be managed better. If you’ve been trying hard all this time on your own (which btw, we are impressed with your determination to get better) & not getting satisfactory results, then it may be useful to work with a health care professional. Medication helps in stabilizing the condition, the person would still need to learn to think, question & act in helpful ways to feel GLAD, SATISFIED & DELIGHTED.
Regards,
Depnet
The answer was published on DepNet
10/31/2008