[WhatAmiDoingWr0ng]

This might be a stupid question, I'm not sure.

I've been depressed for a long time and emotionally numb for close to two years now. The depression has just kept getting worse and I can't go on this way, I need help.

I hardly do any of the things I used to like. I don't have any drive to accomplish anything. I can get 8+ hours sleep and still feel exhausted in the morning and not want to get out of bed.

I need help for my depression, but I don't want to feel emotions right now. I'm expecting the next two or three years to be pretty bad, and I could get through it easier if I didn't feel anything.

[Skeezyks]

Hello WhatAmiDoingWr0ng: Well... I don't know as I have an answer to your question. But I saw no one had replied to your post. So I thought I would.

I'm not sure I quite understand what you're asking. Plus... I'm not a mental health professional... or even all that knowledgeable with regard to psychology. However, from my perspective, yes, I presume it is possible to be emotionally numb without being depressed.

But my sense is that's not really what you're asking. What it sounds to me as though you're asking is: can one be treated for / heal from depression without experiencing a concurrent up-surge of emotion. Well, of course, that is sort-of what antidepressant med's do I think. They take away, or at least lessen, the depression. But they leave you just feeling kind-of blank. At least that was my experience when I was on them.

However, in order to truly heal from depression... say as a result of looking deep within, presumably via therapy, then I would say no it probably is not possible. In order to really get at the root of what's driving one's depression, I presume one would have to confront all of that icky twisted stuff that lies deep within one's thoughts & memories. I would have to say, in all honesty though, I have not done this myself. So this is simply what I believe to be true... not what I have experienced.

[nicoleflynn]

You may want to consider seeing a therapist. There is no sense in continuing to suffer. I have found that talking DOES help.

[WhatAmiDoingWr0ng]

Thank you both for replying. Sorry I didn't phrase it better, but you did get it Skeezyks.

I want to start seeing a therapist soon and give antidepressants a try. I've just been worried that if my depression starts to lessen, I might feel more, and I'd prefer not to right now.

So, if they leave me feeling kind-of blank, that sounds fine.

Thanks.