[Anonymous]

I am male, early twenties and was diagnosed with depression 1 year and 5 months ago. I am unsure whether i have depression or a different illness. The symptoms started exactly two years ago. One day i hurt my shoulder doing rotations with my arm and suddenly felt very self-conscious because i felt i could not hold myself upright no matter how hard i tried. When i sat down i felt as if i was sinking and my dad asked if i was ok. I said i was ok and presumed i would get better in a few days. From that day onward i never felt myself. I could not move freely without feeling self conscious. I felt there was a block in my brain. Everything slowed down, my movement slowed down because i wanted to get better before moving normally again. It got worse and worse, i lost my grip and could not hold eye contact. I tried to get a job as a waiter but left after a few weeks because i felt stressed, felt like i was sinking and could not do a job i did with ease the previous summer. I started university but dropped out because i could not handle it. I have been prescribed anti-depressants but they have made no difference.

[Ladyliesel]

Perhaps you're experiencing a form of anxiety. The focus on being self-conscious would suggest this to me, but I'm not an expert. I have experienced anxiety problems and some of the negative thoughts that result from it sometimes overlap with depression.

You should go back to the doctor and ask for a second opinion. You have to be completely honest about how you feel and explain how this is influencing your everyday life. We can't diagnose you here. The sooner you do the sooner you can get back on track.

Good luck

[kka25]

(Original post by Ladyliesel)
Perhaps you're experiencing a form of anxiety. The focus on being self-conscious would suggest this to me, but I'm not an expert. I have experienced anxiety problems and some of the negative thoughts that result from it sometimes overlap with depression.

You should go back to the doctor and ask for a second opinion. You have to be completely honest about how you feel and explain how this is influencing your everyday life. We can't diagnose you here. The sooner you do the sooner you can get back on track.

Good luck

This.

And OP:
I genuinely hope you could get the good help needed and feel better soon

[Pareidolia]

I would definitely recommend visiting your GP for a second opinion, especially if you're unsure as to whether it's depression you're even suffering from. As said above, it could be something completely unrelated, although I'm not really an expert either.

Please, please don't be prejudiced about antidepressants. They have helped so many people. Many give up if their first prescription doesn't work, saying "drugs are not for me". But antidepressants allow the heavy feelings to lift, and make you feel stable, so you feel able to address the underlying problems. If you can't get those heavy feelings in check, you might not be able to focus on what started this all in the first place. Once you start working on those underlying problems, the heavy curtain of depression may lift by itself, and you won't need to be on the drug forever.

I'm sure things will improve. The sooner you get this sorted out, the better. Good luck.