[dj315]

How does one ease into telling your therapist you think you might be depressed? I don't even know what I expect him to do...It's just slowly becoming this bigger and bigger monster in my life and I don't have a doctor's appointment for a few more weeks (I've fought it for years, but it's time to try to get on some medication for my anxiety). I need to talk about it in the meantime. I haven't had the guts to mention it to anyone--much less him--because I feel like the term "depression" belongs to someone much worse off than me. I've had periods of dark moods before, but it seems to be uglier and sticking around this time with only a few days here and there of clarity.

Anyway, this is less about the mood problem and more about how I don't know how to bring it up. I can talk about my anxiety until the cows come home with him, but depression is taboo for me. I have a fear he's going to think I'm ridiculous and tell me I'm fine and just need to get over it...That would be absolutely humiliating, even if I am fine. I've wanted to bring it up for a few weeks, but I can't get it to come out.

How about printing this post off and showing it to him - you've been really eloquent here x

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Why is it so difficult to say - they probably have an inkling already and you are unlikely to be the first person they have encountered with 'mood problems'?

Just go in there and talk. I think they can tell by our tone of voice.

[divine1966]

I wonder if your t already noticed you might be depressed. If not then describe your moods and feelings to her and she might suggest it herself

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[AllHeart]

How long have you been seeing your T? Do you honestly think he doesn't know already?

Seems like pretty typical fodder for a therapy discussion. I doubt your T will be surprised; more likely he will be glad that you are opening up about your concerns.

There are lots of online quizzes that estimate your level of depression, like this one on the Psych Central site. It asks a lot of the same questions that a therapist or someone diagnosing you with depression would ask. If you have a printer, printing out the questions with answers as well as the result can provide useful info. for your therapist.

I hope you get some good help for your depression. It comes in different levels of intensity, you know. Seeking help now is a good thing. You don't have to wait until it's extremely severe to feel like it's a "legitimate" depression.

Hugs.

[dj315]

I'm pretty shut off emotionally when I'm in a session because I'm so nervous and uncomfortable. I think he's starting to pick up on it because he'll say things like "that sounds so hopeless" when I'm talking about my frustrations with myself recently. But I've never been open and said things like, "Hey, some days I cry for hours by myself." or anything like that.

[ruh roh]

Can you talk about the symptoms you described, without putting a label on it, and telling him it's worse than you've felt before and it's like you only have a few days of clarity between feeling dark? Really, it matters more how something shows up in your life (interferes with it) than what it's called.

[atisketatasket]

Since both of mine asked me if I was depressed in our first sessions...I'm betting it won't be a big deal.

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[AllHeart]

Originally Posted by dj315

I'm pretty shut off emotionally when I'm in a session because I'm so nervous and uncomfortable. I think he's starting to pick up on it because he'll say things like "that sounds so hopeless" when I'm talking about my frustrations with myself recently. But I've never been open and said things like, "Hey, some days I cry for hours by myself." or anything like that.

Hopelessness is a major sign of depression. Frustrations with self is another. With that, I'm sure your T knows you are depressed already. He just doesn't know the depths of it.

Maybe saying the words to T would give you a bit of relief. And letting your T know how deep this depression runs will help him to better help you.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I think your T might already suspect your depressed. The best thing is to just be open and tell him how you have been feeling. Therapist's can only help you if you tell them what is going on.

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[spring2014]

I don't know if you can ease your therapist that you're depressed. your therapist or doctor has to diagnose you w depression. my therapist diagnosed me with depression and anxiety when she first met me last year in my intake assessment w her and again w my psychological evaluation that she done on me last year too.thats how I know that I have anxiety and depression along with ptsd .









Diagnosis: Anxiety and depression
meds: Cymbalta 90mgs at night
Vistrail 2 25 mgs daily for anxiety prn
50 mgs at night for insomnia