[bren]

I have a question. How do you know your getting depressed?? I know that sounds dumb, but I think I might be getting depressed but not sure if its depression or just having a hard time right now. I don't find joy in my weight loss or much of anything anymore. I feel angry a lot of time as well. At first I think it was watching some of my friends deal with the seperation of their hubbys being gone to Iraq and knowing my hubby will be leaving in a few months Found out this week that all my friends hubby's and mine will be gone longer than a year now. But I was feeling down prior to all this too.
Help me with some of the signs of depression PLEASE

[fr1endly2]

(((HUG)))))BREN!!!
I will say that LOOKIN back at my first year
post op i had some bad depressions.
I was totally not myself....
MOOD SWINGS, weepy and i too wasnt happy.
I never understood i was down like 100 lbs and
why wasnt i so happy....I had the blues.
I had some as needed anti depressants that
i used some when the moods were real down...the
were prescribed 2 weeks before my surgery due to my
blood pressure going up. I only use a half tablet there scored
and make me very tired. BUT at times it helps.
I would talk to your doctor...sometimes online you can
find self tests to decide.
ITS normal to go thru this post op and i would talk to someone
and maybe meds could help.
GOOD LUCK!
sorry your feeling soo!
heres an online self test i have found:

Please Note: This self-quiz is not a formal diagnostic tool. It is meant to help identify potential depression symptoms. Only a health care professional can actually diagnose depression. Other medical conditions may cause similar symptoms. Talk with your doctor.
Step 1.
Check off any symptoms you have experienced on a regular basis over at least the past 2 weeks:


Symptoms:
Constant sadness
Lack of motivation
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Feelings of isolation,
not as involved with family and friends
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Hopelessness
Feeling worthless
or guilty for no reason
Thoughts of death or suicide
Fatigue
Low energy
Trouble sleeping
Significant weight change (guess this dont apply to us)

Do your symptoms affect your ability to be yourself and function on a daily basis?
(For example, do your symptoms interfere with your interaction with family and friends, or your enjoyment of favorite hobbies or activities?)

Yes, my symptoms affect my daily functioning.

No, my symptoms do not affect my daily functioning.

HOPE it helps you some there are many like this on the net! IF you have alot of these symptoms maybe you need to talk to your doctor! ITS a common thing for us post op!

[LittleLisaMarie]

Depression affects people differentlyI have experienced this in my line of work and its just a known fact. Some people cry a lot and feel sad. Others seem angry, irritable, or anxious. For others, depression shows itself in physical problems like constipation, muscle aches, headaches.Common after weight loss surgery espically once the initial excitement wears off . We realize that things in our lives that were not so great before surgery, are still not so great. Yes we have better health and we feel better in a physical sense , however our minds go back to the initial problems we had before surgery. If we were in a tough marriage before surgery and never did anything to fix it, chances are we are still going to be in a bad marriage and need to work things out, may even get worse after weight loss surgery. We are also mourning the loss of food, our best friend for a very long time. Now if we didnt put alternate coping mechanisms into place then we are lost without our food for comfort. Depression is such a common problem espically among women these days, with or without surgery. I suggest highly because you are noticing you are not feeling right is to find a therapist right away. Find a PROFESSIONAL to help you figure out what is bothering you. THe boards are a great place to vent and get feedback but only a professional is really equipted to help you.

Nursing Spectrum- Career Fitness Online

Most important is to keep talking......We are here for you and please keep us updated.

LittleLisaMarie

[DocSanae]

(((((HUGS)))))) bren.
The self test Lisa/fr1endly2 has posted is an important one when considering if you need help. Also, the familiar adage, if you think you've got a problem, then you probably do have a problem. Mood swings and depressive feelings need to be evaluated by professionals, so I agree with Lisa and LisaMarie, you should consult a professional.

LisaMarie, good read, thank you.

I am thinking these days that, when choosing a surgeon, try to find a program that also has post op psychological/psychiatric programs as well. Of course, not everyone becomes depressive, but the major life changes aren't only in the amount of food you eat, nor body size, but you are going to need to do a complete overhaul of how you relate with a lot of things, and this is no easy task. Being given tips beforehand should help immensely in making things easier, and also helps in knowing when to turn for good professional help. Besides, being forewarned that these things *could* happen, it will help you feel not isolated, and make you feel secure in the knowledge that many go through this *crap*.

P.S. I feel for you that your DH will be dispatched to Iraq at this difficult time. ((((((HUGS)))))

[MsVickie]

Being a Military wife is hard. We have different hubbys for sure. You know what I mean about that. I think it might be a good idea for you to see your Doc. Your PCP perhaps. Let him or her know your feelings. Considering you live near a base or on base I think? there are others im sure that are feeling the same way you do. Sure, the weight loss has somthing to do with it. But......your a military wife. Im sure in the last few years you have been worried to death that your hubby will be deployed. Im not sure if he has ever been or not I have not seen a post telling us that.

The reason Im suggesting your PCP is they are almost experts in depression for the wives and familys of service men. They will understand what your trying to say to them. If they have a support system there please use it, im sure it will be simular to what you have found here. Honey you owe good mental help to yourself and you family. This is probally one thing your hubby wont have to worry so much about if he knows your doing ok mentally with things. Its hard....very hard but we married good decent men who chose this life. Take care of yourself Bren you deserve it.

[Exhorter]

Hugs to you and my prayers will be with you at this time. Please listen to the great advice that has been given here to you, and keep posting so that others can help you work through some of the issues you might be dealing with. Often we think that maybe we are alone in the things that we face, but once we open up we find others are in the same boat. My prayers will also be for you husband and his protection. God bless you.

[beckamarie]

Bren lots of hugs for you sweety

[bren]

Thanks everyone. Lisa, to answer the quiz it would seem I'm having a bit of a depressing stage. I'm trying to get some help but its harder than I thought with the system here. Yes MsVickie I live near Fort Riley now and work on base If I can't get some help before going back to see my surgeon I'll have him write a referral for me to go talk to someone. I agree being a military wife has a whole different set of rules. I would think by now I would be "used" to it and to him not always being around after all its been this way almost 18 years but it just seems to get harder instead of easier.
I want to thank everyone here, I'll be leaning even more on those here as I try to get thru this stage I'm going through because I know its just a stage and soon everything will be fine again!!

[fr1endly2]

(((HUG)))) and were always here to help
listen and care!.

HAVEING your loved one goes away i feel must
never get easy. I dont live that life but can
only imagine how difficult it can be.

HUGS!!!! feel good and were always
here to listen, offer hugs and care