Screw the Fox--What Does the Jester Say?

[mjr]

Without sounding too much like a whiny little shit, my confidence and self-esteem are flagging a bit at the moment, and I need to somehow reconnect with my inner asshole, and get back to where I was mentally and emotionally not that long ago. And for the life of me, I'm having trouble doing this.

Suggestions would be both appreciated and helpful.

Motorhead's "The Game" -- and crank it up to 11.

[Jester]

Jester? What do you think clinical depression *is*?

You've pretty much described it (or at least one of the major variants)

Good point. But it is not clinical depression, as I know people who do suffer from that, and this isn't it. For one thing, it's just going on now. I've been here before, and I'll be here again, but I will rebound. I always do.

So, yes, this may be depression. I'll grant you that. But the kind that affects your whole life, requirs you to see a therapist, and puts you on meds? Definitely not.

BTW, while lowered sex drive can be a symptom of depression, sometimes it *and* depression can be caused by low testosterone levels. Which also causes low "energy" levels. Easy to test for and a quick fix if it's the case.

Let me be really clear here...just because I don't want to jump in the sack with someone right now doesn't mean I have a lowered sex drive in general. I could tell you about recent events, but you'd have to have anyone under 18 leave the room.

My sex drive is just fine. Moving on....

The fact that 'faking it till you smile' works for you means you've almost certainly just got a light case of it.

Well what I meant was I am excellent at faking it at work, and oftentimes, that will put me in a good mood. Lately, not so much. On the plus side, though, lately I've been so busy at work, I haven't had much time to focus on my recent general malaise.

[Seshat]

Ah. I must have misunderstood.

Bast pointed out that the States is currently going through a severe and unusual cold patch; and that winter weather often puts people into a depressive state. Yes, even in Florida this can happen - it's not the absolute weather, it's the change in weather that does it.
If this is the case, you can either wait it out (knowing that it will pass), or google 'sad' or 'seasonal affective disorder' and see what works for people with it.

She also pointed out that there might be other environmental or circumstantial factors to consider. Give that some thought, Jester: it's possible that something's happening or happened, and when it passes, you'll become more your usual self.


Another thing she wanted to emphasise: this sounds like a 'common cold' level problem. Normal, will probably pass on its own, doesn't need professional treatment unless the patient wants it. Bears a bit of light watching to make sure it doesn't become serious, but otherwise load up on tissues and chicken soup. Metaphorically, anyway!

Hm. I think Bast and I came up with something else, but we talked about this while we were waiting for my latest medical appointment, and I've completely forgotten what else we said. I'll type it out later.

[Jester]

The weather is definitely not a factor. I rode my bike to and from work today (3.5 miles each way) in shorts and a t-shirt.

Yes, there are definitely some circumstances at play here, and yes, I know it will go away, so yes, this is far more on the level of common cold than, say, bronchitis.

[Kheldarson]

It doesn't necessarily have to be the weather itself, Jester. There's a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and one of the potential causes of the condition, for those who get it, is the fact that there's less daylight. My mom and I seem to deal with it, but getting natural light light bulbs seem to help a bit.

So...how much sun are you getting?

[Jester]

So...how much sun are you getting?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

You DO realize that I live in the Florida Keys, right?

[Kheldarson]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

You DO realize that I live in the Florida Keys, right?

Yeah, I know :P

But I was living in SC when I had my worse case of winter blues. However I was inside a box store all day and saw the sun maybe at sunrise or sunset depending on my schedule, so it's a valid question.

Other than that, I'd try picking up a new hobby of some form. At the very least, it'll break up some of the monotony of routine and, even if you find you don't really like new hobby, might help to alleviate your bad mood.

[Gravekeeper]

Mild to moderate depression can be induced in just about anyone with the right circumstances. It is temporary and not "clinical" as you put it. IE the result of actual chemical problems in the brain rather than environmental stress, etc.

Take a quick screening test. There's a fairly standard one that shows up on most websites on Google. Its the same one doctors tend to use for an initial screening.

I haven't been able to score lower than moderate on it since June. -.-

[Jester]

Got a link, GK?

[Gravekeeper]

Got a link, GK?

Here's a quick and dirty one that covers the basics. They all generally have the same questions and these are similar to the ones my doctor ran over with me.

This one pegs me at 90% chance of having an anxiety disorder, which I do. -.-

[Seshat]

And if it shows up as you having it, one of the forms of 'physiotherapy for the mind' is cognitive behavioural therapy.

Among many other online programs of CBT, there is http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ (provided by the Australian National University: which I would personally trust as a source of such things).

Edit to add: CBT can - like most forms of physical physiotherapy - be helpful for the healthy mind as well.
Also note that there's a reason there's a kazillion forms of mental physiotherapy: it's like physical physiotherapy. No one form works for everyone. CBT is a good one to try out, but if it doesn't seem to 'make sense' to you or 'gel' or whatever, try a different one.

[Jester]

Took that test, GK, and it said that my chance for suffering from a disorder was low, and that I did not appear to be suffering from one at the moment.

About what I figured, but good to see anyway, even if it is just an online test.

[Gravekeeper]

Took that test, GK, and it said that my chance for suffering from a disorder was low, and that I did not appear to be suffering from one at the moment.

About what I figured, but good to see anyway, even if it is just an online test.

Good, depression is a *bitch*. I had some bad brushes with it as a side effect of the first meds they put me on. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Temporary low mood is just being in a funk though. Funks will pass.

[Jester]

Can't say I'm surprised by this, to be honest. About what I figured.

Still sucks, but of course, it could be worse.

[Gravekeeper]

Can't say I'm surprised by this, to be honest. About what I figured.

Still sucks, but of course, it could be worse.

Yes, you could be taking two different medications and still have your nerves shot half the time like me. >.>