Question:
Is it possible to be depressed and not be aware of it?

I went to my primary care physician yesterday for a medical problem and also mentioned that I have been extremely tired and fatigued. He asked me several questions about my fatigue, and said he really thought that the way I described my symptoms sounded like depression. I told him that I didn't think I was depressed. He ran a full battery of bloodwork, but said that if it came back alright, he thought we might should visit about antidepressants. The bloodwork came back fine, and so now I'm wondering - am I depressed and I just don't know it? Is that possible? I don't really have any major problems in my life right now. I have done well on my weight loss. I am finishing graduate school, and I'm the mother of a two year old, so I really thought that my fatigue was just par for the course until I started getting REALLY fatigued about three weeks ago. I have been depressed before, after my mother died, and I don't feel like that. Are there different kinds of depression? With different feelings? Could I be depressed and not know it? I know that sounds stupid.    — raye (posted on April 2, 2004)

April 2, 2004
YES! I had several stresses that I thought I had "handled" quite well. So well, that I had tucked them in. They manifested about 8 months later in the extreme fatgue, but good bloodwork. I have a good PCP and he works with me and humors me in many areas. But finally, he dug in his heels and said no more tests til you at least TRY this. So, we negotiated which one (I must drive him nuts, being right on the egde of the medical world!) and so, just to humor him, I did. Mind you, I didn't feel "sad", kinda overwhelmed with my life, but not sad, not unhappy. He said it'd take 3 weeks to notice any difference, and of course, I expected none at all. Imagine MY surprise when, within 2 weeks, I could actually get up and get going again! So, very long way of saying, yes indeed it can hide from us, esp. us Type A ones who "handle" everything smoothly. Like you, I was depressed and knew it about 15 yrs ago, and this was very different, so my thought process was like yours. But like I said, imagine my surprise!
   — vitalady

April 2, 2004
Depression is a chemicl imbalance. It Can be caused by life experiences, but that is not always the case. However think about it. You have been thru a LOT in the past year and a half. MAJOR surgery. major weight loss, total change in your body, If you are anything like me, I am having big body image issues witj loose skin. Even with supplements and excellent labs, I know the strain on my body has been extreme. Even happy events such as graduating from school are stressers. Many times people who are depressed don't feel particularly "sad" but it shows in fatigue, poor sleeping, appetitie changes, forgetfulness, etc. I know fro me it was a major decision to take an antidepressent. Originally I started them about 4 years ago, was on a couple years, stopped when I had surgery (after all losing weight will make my life perfect - right?) then restarted about 1 year post op. Now I think I will be a lifer on Wellbutrin. It is amazing how much better I feel.
   — **willow**

April 2, 2004
Raye, I was also feeling very tired and when I went to the Dr a couple weeks ago all my Labs came out ok too..I DID not feel like I was depressed and already was taking Anti Depressent,,but he upped my dose and I am feeling better!!!
   — NANCY P.

April 3, 2004
I didn't think I was depressed -just mentioned to my PCP I was having trouble falling asleep and then, when I fanlly did get to sleep, I would wake up again in a couple of hours. To my surprise, he started me on an anti-depressant, and after a couple of weeks, I was sleeping better and just felt better overall. It can't hurt to try it!
   — koogy

April 3, 2004
Hello Raye, There are two kinds of depression, as I know ot. Situational depressed and chemical imbalace depression. I am sure that they each have subcatagories, as well. I understand the situational depression, because I can see where it started, why it started and have a reasonable ideal that it will pass with time as the situation resolves. The chemical imbalance has been much different for me (I have experienced both). I didn't realize how depressed that I was , until the medicine became effective. Good luck on your jouney. Have a blessed day, Loriann
   — Loriann J.