Ok, I know, weird question. I can't seem to decide if I'm depressed or not. I do have a form of Bipolar disorder so the depression would be stemming from that.

I'm sleeping more (and wanting to sleep more), a bit more irritable, eating more emotionally, and generally more moody.

I know this isn't a diagnostic forum, just looking for general opinions. Do I sound depressed??? Or maybe a mixed state?? It comes and goes throughout the day. Probably out to call the psych too just to ask.

I hear you. I'm always second guessing myself on that. I went through the very same thing last fall, and spent about three months fighting the feeling, thinking, "it's gotta just be some lifestyle thing that's bugging me". But it wasn't, and I finally got my meds upped. And I feel good again.
Assuming you've done a soul-search to determine if it's just "something going wrong in your life", it does sound like depression to me.
Not a weird question at all.

Hi bb -

I couldn't really say if you are depressed or not; depression is such a personal thing, and the way it effects each person can differ greatly. I will say that some of the symptoms you describe are classic signs of depression, but I think they are also signs of a bunch of other things like bloodsugar imbalance (frequent in dieters), seasonal affective disorder, hormonal imbalance/disorders, and lack of vitamins/minerals (e.g. iron).

I think a talk with your psych sounds like a good idea - heck, he/she may want to run some blood tests to rule out physical causes. I'd make sure to explain what changes you have been making to your diet and activity so that he/she can consider those impacts. Then, it really will be a matter of how severe/how long the symptoms are.

My instinct is that there may be something other than clinical deprssion driving these feelings for you. Whatever you and your doc end up deciding, feel free to come in here for support as you work through these feelings. Have a beautiful day!

I think it would be a good idea to talk with your dr. YOu might just need a slight med adjustment. My husband is bipolar and has been depressed the last few weeks. He has very long cycles and I find myself wondering if we are starting downward . Talk to your dr get labs and make sure everything is ok. keep us informed We do care!!

Ditto's..... let your doctor decide.

Its not a strange question at all.... some times I feel the same way.

Thanks guys. I'm going to call Monday (office is closed now). Can't up my meds, we tried that to help with my anxiety and it was disasterous. That would mean new meds (YUCK!!). But whatever helps I suppose.

Of course it doesn't help that I just found out I'm allergic to dogs. I'm a freaking animal activist, animal welfare volunteer, certified dog trainer, and have 4 of my own dogs. I'm keeping the dogs but that does have me bummed in general.

Thanks for the answers, I appreciate it!!

Basset,

My friend has asthma and is allergic to dogs / pets as well... she has 5 dogs and a cat. What she did to keep her allergies down (for lack of a better way to say it), is she got rid of all her rugs in the house and she does not have curtains...she uses color blinds. Every week she washes her floors and her bedding...because the kids sleep with her. She also has an air purifier. .. you'd never know she had that many animals in her house because you can not smell them.

I hope this helps....

Thanks for the tips Leenie. I'm looking into all kinds of things. My dogs are going nowhere at all (I stand my ground on that issue). We need to replace the carpet in the living room anyway and the couch needs replaced. I'm looking for allergenic covers for the mattress and the pillows. Also looking into air purifiers and also the allergy shots. I'll work something out reguardless, just bums me out in general.

Good for you. She has leather furniture.... easier to wash I guess.

Good luck ... I know you'll find a way.

Basset -

Oh goodness! I'm sorry to hear about your allergies, that must be terrible. A good friend of mine is allergic to dogs and cats, and get this - she's an obedience trainer and works in her family's pet-supplies store that has live-in cats. She did the shots several years ago, and it worked for her. Good luck, I'm sure you'll figure out somehting. Hugs to your dogs from me.

Me_Amarie, your friend sounds a lot like me. I do a LOT in the animal field. Hopefully I'll find some things that will help

Bassetbabe, I understand how you're feeling.

My depression crept up on me quite gradually, and I was completely unsure for months and months. The way I realised something was wrong was when I looked back over the preceding months and noticed I'd had more bad days than good. Previously I'd never thought of myself as having bad days at all, just regular/good days with a few bad moments.

Then, gradually, I noticed I couldn't wait for each day to be over, and woke up dreading the day ahead. Then when I started saying to my boyfriend how I didn't feel like singing anymore (it's all I've ever wanted to do my whole life), that was a big red flag.