[Melis85]

I live in a small town and here is only one Psychiatrist and I don't feel comfortable with him at all so I am not going there anymore but I need to ask somethings please.

1) Is a short temper or easily angered a symptom of my depression? I find that I am getting angry and very annoyed about little everyday things, it usually happens when I get interrupted while I am busy with something then I feel like I am going to burst with anger

2) Is it true that we are suppose to stay away from caffeine?

3) Will I be able to go on without Medication or is it necessary at some point?

4) Is there a way to motivate oneself not to quit your job? LOL I don't want to come to work anymore but don't feel like finding a new one either. I don't cope well with change at all.

[leacon]

As to your questions
1. Irritability can be a symptom of depression. Not always but sometimes. You may want to do some research online about the symptoms of depression.
2. Personally I still drink coffee. Not sure about the standard line on this, but I would not change my coffee drinking anyway.
3. The need for medication varies from person to person. If the depression is severe (suicidal, can not do anything, etc) the need for medication is higher.
4. Motivation for work is a personal project. No one has a sure method for motivation. What you need to ask yourself is whether the job itself is bothering you or else if your depression is hurting your motivation. If it is the job, I would look elsewhere. If it is depression, changing jobs will not change anything.
Good Luck

[Melis85]

Thank you for your reply and advice.

[justfloating]

hi melis,

I haven't heard about caffeine being bad if you're depressed, but I sure hope not because I'm absolutely addicted! I do know that trouble sleeping comes with depression -- I could hardly sleep at all even though I was physically exhausted, and I found that cutting back on caffeine and trying not to have any after 4 in the afternoon helped with getting to sleep at night. I'm not sure if it's directly related to depression but if you're having trouble sleeping then cutting back on caffeine can't hurt.
Also, irritability can come with depression, yes. I'm like you, I can get very angry if I'm interrupted while I'm in the middle of doing something, especially because it takes a lot for me to get up the motivation to concentrate on something, so it bothers me when I get interrupted and have to start from scratch to build up my concentration again once it's been broken.
Glad you posted. Hang in there.

[turquoisesea]

hey there.

1. I have found that to be the case

2. Caffeine - ok, technically caffeine is shown to cause some depression if had in HUGE amounts, and even then it is depended on the person. However in practice I don't think it's a problem as long as the intake is not outrageous. I actually feel much better when I have coffee - I figure, if it helps me get going (which is so hard to do sometimes) and gets me through the day then this is not a bad thing. so I guess, it's up to you.... if you think it might be depressing you , try stopping it for a while. but if it seems to be a more positive thing then I'd say keep it up. My running joke: "I'd rather be addicted to coffee than psych meds!"

3. Dependent on the person. Dependent on the depression. I'd suggest if you can get a therapist for talk therapy and do other things to help yourself you might not need meds. It also depends on the severity of depresion

4. Ditto to leacon's post on this one

[Melis85]

Thank you all! Your advise cleared up all the questions I had.

The caffeine one was because another member said that it might be part of the reason I am sleeping badly but it is also the only thing that keeps me awake at work or I will definitely fall asleep as I am very tired during the day time but sleep badly at night.

Thanks again.

[turquoisesea]

Maybe you could be careful about what time you take caffeine? for instance if you took it at 9pm and went to bed at 12, the caffeine would still be affecting you , and therefore would disrupt sleep. I'm not sure how many hours it takes for caffeine to leave the system... maybe that's what the other member was talking about?