Do I really have reactive depression ?
Q.I visited my GP a couple of weeks ago with symptoms of weight gain, some hair loss, tiredness and disturbed sleep. He thought I had an underactive thyroid so sent me to a specialist. In a ten minute consultation, the specialist listened to my explanation and did a routine physical exam. He dismissed any throid problem and simply decided I had reactive depression. Does anyone know whether it is possible to diagnose reactive depression in this way. I certainly don't feel depressed and I have had no significant trauma in the last 12 months. In fact, just the opposite having got married and now expecting my first baby in September. I am in a stable professional job and cannot indentify any reason why someone would think I am depressed. Since visiting the specialist I have been taking the anti depressant drug amitryptelene (one 50mg tablet per day). Does anyone know anything about this drug? I've heard stories about people becoming dependent on anti depressents. Is this still the case?
A.Hmmmm well weight gain, tiredness and disturbed sleep can be symptoms of depression. Never heard of hair loss as a symptom though although I could be wrong. But to me, it doesn't sound like you're depressed. You don't mention any mood changes at all and in fact you sound positive about your life and about the future. When someone is depressed, they tend to feel like there is no hope, they are lethargic, uninterested in life, have difficulty in concentrating, irritable, anxious and can have suicidal thoughts. "Reactive depression" is a reaction to something that has happened in one's life, but it sounds like you're very happy with your marriage and life. There is an online test for depression at: http://community.netdoktor.co m/ccs/uk/depression/facts/testyourself/goldberg.jsp It may give you more of an idea if you are depressed. There's also a list of symptoms at http://community.netdoktor.com/ccs/uk/depression/fac ts/ami/article.jsp?articleIdent=uk.depression.facts.ami.uk_depression_ar ticle_2140 I would ask for a second opinion if I were you. Did they do a blood test to test for underactive thyroid? I thought that was how they diagnosed it. Could be wrong. Anti-depressants are not addictive, but you can get bad side affects when you come off them.
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