Depression is changing my interests and I'm not sure I like it

I used to enjoy reading, watching the birds, taking photos, having friends, etc. Now I don't enjoy or do any of these things. Instead, I got two cats, I'm learning the guitar, and I watch golf. It's like I don't recognize myself anymore. After 3 years depression sure has had its way with me. What's up with the golf, and why do I sort of like it??? At least I'm interested in something even if it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Anyone else have this?

Yes. And sorry to hear about you feeling like you don't recognize yourself. Besides extreme fatigue, which I'm managing to find improvement about, the loss of interest or pleasure is to me the worst part of depression. (That doesn't include those more extreme moments of hopelessness).

Right now I'm coming out of a depressive episode so my mood isn't really all that down, but my interest level and pleasure are off. And after reading your post I realize that many things that were very common parts of my life I have done in ages. It more a gap for me than coming up with things to take the place of other things. It makes me want to try to work on bringing those things back into my life. Thanks.

I know how you feel. It's been so long since I've been interested or excited about anything. It's all part of depression. I have so many things I need to do, but I am frozen. Don't know the answer, but just wanted to tell you that you're not alone in this.

I have no explanation for the golf , but I can identify with your change in interests. I used to read a lot of fiction, sometimes sitting down with a book and a bowl of popcorn and not getting up until I finished the last page. I can't focus well enough now to follow a plot, so I read almost exclusively nonfiction, and I'm always reading a bunch of books at the same time. I used to dance a lot before I got sick, and I didn't care who was watching or what they thought. Now I don't even go into my own yard unless I'm sure there are no neighbors nearby. The disease has definitely changed who I am over the years.

My husband doesn't really like this, but when I refer to activities I used to participate in before I got sick, I say "Back when I was alive..."

I just posted a similar answer to what I'm about to say on another thread. But I feel you. I've given up on things that I enjoyed doing for years. I didn't know why until recently I decided to enter therapy. Unfortunately I haven't replaced them with things like you have. So sometimes I literally just sit and stare at the wall or watch my dog chew her bone. It's fine spending time with my dog, but not just watching her, would be better if I'd take her in the yard and play with her or go for a walk or something.

Depression has killed most of my interests, I don't have the enthusiasm I once had for things. I just want to sleep. I love movies, and I haven't seen a movie since March. My tastes have changed though, I like depressing music now, I spent a lot of time listening to angry music.

But you're enjoying other things? Is it possible you're just changing as a part of life?

I used to enjoy playing video games and watching WWF wrestling when I was in high school. I run and rock climb now. And once in a blue moon I play a video game. You couldn't get me to sit through 30 minutes of wrestling.

Depression has caused me to lose interest in everything....if you have interest in something, consider yourself among the fortunate.

I am glad to hear that you are at least enjoying some things. I often will rotate or wear out interests. I was a big scrapbooker, for example, but I got burnt out. Then I sold stuff on ebay for a while. I read different genres all the time. When my kids were little I helped them with their interests. Change is fairly "normal".

Yes, same thing here. Recently I was trying to just remember what I used to like to do, and could only draw a blank. Then I had to clean out some boxes that have been sitting around for awhile, and it was like unearthing a time capsule of my old interests. Apparently, I once liked to read historical fiction (not enough focus to read fiction now), workout, and watch movies from the UK/ Ireland, among other things. Now...blah, nothing really. Although I have started listening to Nirvana and Metallica again. Dark, depressing, angry music. Good stuff.

Maybe you're just changing as you get older and time passes?

It's good that you have some interests and hobbies. Depression has robbed me of the energy to enjoy the hobbies I once enjoyed like history and geneology. I look at my life and I feel I have lost so much since the depression set in. It's like living in a black hole.

Today was a stare at the wall kind of day for me. Blank zombie like day.

Ah, yes, Touch of Gray. I've lost interest in most of my favorite activities, too. The only thing that I still seem to both enjoy and be able to do is read. I think taking up the guitar is great. For awhile i took piano lessons and I found it really took me away from my depression. I hope it music does the same for you