[INaBOX]

..temporarily, anyhow.

Ok, I've noticed people writing out their symptoms and even though we are not qualified to diagnose ANYONE here, I would still like your feedback on what you think it is that I may have:

Symptoms:
- Social Anxieties (it's a given): most of the typical symptoms
- ADD
- Lacking in energy 65% of the month at it's worst;Lazy?
- I don't feel depressed, unhappy or lost. I'm generally a happy-spirited and optimistic person.
- Fatigue; loss of appetite that can stretch within 1-3 weeks at a time.
- Irritability; moody for unknown cause - sudden
- Anger outbursts on rare occasions
- Emotionally numb - tend to take things on with a grain of salt - (excluding with my son)
- Warm on the surface but once people try to get to know me, I push them away almost in an irritated way (invasion of privacy; fear; rejection) - I WOULD like to get to know people better on a deeper level
- Few friends that I see regularly (1-3 times/month)
- Anxieties: heart racing, stomach butterflies, rapid breathing for unknown reason - usually in the early mornings, periodically
- Avoidant; Appear to be a bit stand-offish at times; shy
- Introverted AND extroverted
- Goal oriented but usually more so in thought rather than in action

I'm going to kick myself later for telling you all this but I'm taking a chance.

[somebodyelse]

INaBOX, do you have a pdoc or a therapist? I think that you should get your dx from someone who knows you personally and knows your history, as well as the symptoms that you described. Anything we could say here would be just a guess.

[INaBOX]

Ya I know. That would be the more responsible thing to do. I was just looking for feedback of any sort. I guess I got one.

your symptoms could be from several different things....and it would be very hard to give you advice..i.e. something that i've experienced...because you don't have a diagnosis from a doctor.....please see a physician asap.......xoxo pat

[INaBOX]

I understand. I'm really not expecting a professional prognoses here or anything nor would I be diagnosing myself through hearsay, I'm just asking .. no biggie.

Thanks anyway.

[jennie]

your symptoms may not be psychiatric in origin.

other medical problems (such as hormones, vitamin deficiencies, sleep apnea, thyroid probs, anemia, and etc., to name a few) could be causing your fatigue, irritability, breathing, heart racing symptoms.

make an appointment with your family doctor and share with him/her all these symptoms. it wouldn't hurt to do a few blood tests first.

i may be wrong here . . . but if you are fatigued but not depressed that seems like a medical problem that needs to be addressed.

if you are working over-time or being supermom . . . that may also explain many symptoms of fatigue and stress

take care ((((huggs)))))))

[INaBOX]

Thanks jennie! I never even thought about that .. lol .. as obviouse as it sounds. I have been tested for anemia before and came up in the norm. I think my problem is that I THINK too much and stress myself out ... that's one of them anyhow.

hugsss back!

[MissHoneychurch]

Hi Inabox,

You sound a lot like me a couple years ago. I as well never thought I was depressed, I just was a worry wart.

You may not FEEL depressed, but I believe your body is telling you otherwise. Lack of appetite is a big indicator as well as stomach problems. I would have denied a million times that I was depressed.

But I was.

I just never admitted it to myself. That fact that you are irritated when people try to get to know you better was a big thing with me as well. I felt I was a complete phony, that I did a pretty good snowjob on most people I met who thought I was funny and smart. This is mainly why I pulled away after some people wanted to get to know me better. I didn't want them to see who I really was, what a disappointment I was.

So my diagnosis for you? Depression with anxiety as a result of the depression. Or Anxiety with depression as a result. Many times the two go hand in hand and it's impossible to pin point which one caused the other.

I've been seeing a psychotherapist now for almost 2 years and will terminate pretty soon. It has done wonders. If you are willing to invest the time and money, you won't regret it!

[INaBOX]

Thanks Honeychurch, I know depression runs in my immediate family so I'm not discounting this entirely. Truth is, we ALL have issues but I can't say I have anything to complain about. There's always room for improvement but don't we all wish we had more than what we do? Ok I'm a single mom yes, and that has it's challenges but it was out of choice. I also have a good job; family and friends I talk/see on a regular basis; and a routine that I'm comfortable with. There's nothing for me to really be depressed about. That's why I've sort of ruled it out.

I have dealt with a lot of abuse as a child and with my son's dad but I can honestly say I've come to terms with it. My past is my past and my present is here and now. So what's my problem?

As for anxiety, that's definately a problem with me but I'm also the type that CAN be pretty outgoing once I'm comfortable (surface wise) and I don't mind spending time to myself. I rather enjoy it at times. Not ALWAYS.

I'll admit, I do have issues with trust. I guess I'm not exactly the most confident person. You kind of nailed it on the nose when you mentioned about not wanting people to get to know the "real" you - the "disappointment". I can relate with that. Maybe that's what stems from my anxieties...

Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm glad things are getting better for you now. Did you opt for medication or just therapy? That's the one thing I have a hard time accepting - NEEDING meds. I guess because I'm affraid I'll be compared to as my dad who has several different mental illnesses. No one wants to be like my dad! It's a fear..

[MissHoneychurch]

No meds for me. I didn't want the side effects and I really wanted to see what I could do on my own.

Relapse rate is MUCH LESS after good therapy than after you stop meds.