Low-level depression

I read so many posts of people who are in serious pain, at the breaking point, dealing with overwhelming challenges.

I've been there, I empathize.

I'm not there right now. Yet, a low level apathy permeates my days -- I don't really want anything except a job, and when I have that, I do it to the best of my abilities, but I'm not all charged up about it. It's not my life. It's only as much life as I seem to have and not enough.

I circle events that I could attend, but I rarely bother to go.

Is anyone dealing with this kind of low-level depression?

I slide up and down ... have been there (what you describe) ... sometimes just not very long.

While I am not in that stage now, I spent the better part of the past two years in that sort of state. Hopefully you can find something that does get you charged up and excited.

it sounds like dysthymia i've had for 20 odd years i also get severe bouts they call it double depression, what matters is not names but how to get out of the damn thing!! wish i knew

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Wants2fly)))))))))))))))))))))
I truly understand what you mean by just constantly being in pain .. kind of like a dull pain that has a not so funny way of just hanging onto you wherever you go.

Try and find things that will stimulate you, things that you *want* to do. Whether that be extracurricular or not .. its just important that you do something so that it keeps your mind off everything, and so that it hopefully will make you feel better about yourself and what you are doing.

I know its not easy ... not at all, but you can do this.
Feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk ...

Jacq

Thank you for responding. I have read your responses with interest.

(((((((((((((((( Wants2 )))))))))))))))

I came out of a debilitating depression that resulted in (useless) ECT. A couple of months thereafter "something" happened and I began to slowly recover. However, over the last year or so I have steadily found myself to be feeling exactly the way you describe.

I kind of have the feeling that this is what my life is always going to be like. I rarely have the energy to fight it!

I understand exactly what you describe!

Yes, someone mentioned being in pain. I don't feel that I'm in pain. I just seem not to feel very much one way or another. Thanks for understanding.

There is something called seritonin apathy that you can get from being on antidepressants. The Antidepressants help with the depression and keep you mood level but they also make it more difficult for you to experience positive feelings too. It's kind of like having no feellings a all. I've been there and am struggling with it now. Read up on seritonin apathy syndrome and it might explain some things to you. I only know this because I've been going through the same thing myself and have done some research and talked to my pdoc about it and he lowered my dose of antidepresant and it seems to be helping. Don't do anything without talking to your pdoc FIRST!

hm, this is exactly wht I am feeling in the past 2 weeks, after a short depressive episode (just a few days). The same had happened in december (3 weeks depressed and 2 weeks apathic) and february (1 week depressed and 10 days apathic). It is different from the past, when my depressive periods would disappear as fast as they had started.
It is like a steady pain: you can bear it, but it makes living worthless. Now I'm going to bed... aware that if I die during the sleep I would lose nothing. This serotonin apathy thing may be an answer, since just on december I switched from Paroxetine to Duloxetine... I'll ask about it to my pdoc when I talk to him (in a few weeks).

Ah, I wonder how much of this crap there can be in one single life.

Neither Paxil nor Cymbalta was good for me. Keep trying til you find something that helps. Are you in therapy, or just on medication? It sure helps to have a T to help at length when feeling so low.

sweet dreams (((stefano)))

((((wants))))

Yes, I'm pretty sure I've also had this, between bad periods. A busy routine has helped, as well as interesting new extra-curricular activities, but both are hard when it has you feeling so apathetic. I haven't been able to get rid of it entirely.

You're not alone, and I think many of the ideas in this thread would be helpful. :-)

Ah "dysthymia "....................yes know it well all to well have been with it for the better part of my 50 ........I truly mean that.....but that is just one aspect of my existence...........complicated life................of sorts.......

adhd\ld, hypoglycemia, dysthymia ...................

I'm not on meds although as recently as maybe 2 months ago I explored the options and was whiskfully given a prescription......2 to be exact...............but didn't want to go med route...........

Feel like I've been fighting the devil my whole life........well existence since I don't feel like I have a life.........or one that I enjoy anyway..........

I'm of the belief that because of other issues that's why I suffer from dysthymia ............and if other things were ok I wouldn't......but some believe that I still would......cause that is how I'm wired...........so it's an endless battle of sorts......

Techun -- You have expressed what I feel very well. Thank you. I am sorry that you also live your life this way.

No need to say thanks..................but accepted.........that's the simplified less is more version..............just skimming the surface and nothing above or below...............

I am sure my depression must be strongly situational (although Effexor certainly keeps the crying jags away), because I got a job and suddenly I am energized.

I have been teaching the same course over and over for the past two years, and now I will be teaching upper level courses. I am reviewing books, thinking of ways to engage my students, and sending myself to a summer conference to update my knowledge. I know you will all wish me well, as I probably will be around a lot less.

My best wishes, love, and prayers for all of you who still suffer. Suffer is a small six-letter word, but the pain it contains can be truly dreadful.

So what do you teach.............and what will you be teaching..........curious..........