Feeling Low

**Posts:** 6 · by **Bill** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:45 pm

Hi everyone

Been reading this forum with some interest for a couple of months now and Im hoping some of you may be able to give some advice from your own experience.

I am a 24 year old male with a reasonably good job, friends etc yet for about the last six months nothing seems to feel good, I can't get optimistc about anything and the worst part is that i cannot imagine a scenario in which i would feel happy and content. Even my libido has disappeared lately which for a 24 year old male just isn't normal!!

I went to the doctor about five weeks ago and was prescribed Venlafaxine (75mg per day) but this doesn't seem to have made me feel any different at all.

I do exercise regularly which does lift my mood for a while but after a few hours it just goes back to normal. I just cannot understand why I am feeling this way. I also feel quite anxious most of the time (not panicing) and find it hard to settle myself and relax yet i have nothing worrying me.

Does anyone else feel this way or have done so in the past and beaten it.
Grateful for any thoughts on this.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:48 pm

Hi Bill

I'm glad you've found the forums helpful over the past few months, and I hope I can encourage you to carry on being an active poster

As a starting point, could you take a look at this basic needs list and let us know how you think you currently measure up in these terms?

Thanks

Roger

**Posts:** 6 · by **Bill** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:23 pm

Thanks for the reply Roger.

From looking at the list, nos 3&5 did make me think. My job often has periods were there is very little to do and you can find yourself twiddling your thumbs for most of the day. Perhaps a lack of stimulation is what makes me feel uptight and anxious a lot of the time as I have nowhere to channel my energies. Also, having a lot of time on your hands allows for more rumination which of course makes things worse.

I really think that my depression is a result of my feeling anxious and unable to relax most of the time. I have read some of your information on anxiety but it seems to be geared towards panic attacks etc which I do not suffer from.

It is just a horrible way to feel and of course if I can't seem to enjoy anything, basic need 5 is obviously going to suffer (ie goals). Perhaps I just need to find other activities that help me take the focus of myself and keep my mind active rather than just physical exercise.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:34 pm

Hi Bill

I kind of suspected this - I have come across it quite a few times. It is most common (I find) in young, bright people who have a basic need for stimulation, challenge and something to apply their energies to.

Doing something that stretches you gives profound feedback that feels meaningful, and so makes you realise just how capable you are.

I would guess that the anxiety is a side-effect of this lack of challenge as well. Perhaps you would like to think about doing something more with your brain than your under-stimulating job?

Best

Roger

**Posts:** 6 · by **Bill** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:58 pm

That could be the case Roger. When I think about it I realise that I have gotten myself into a rut over the last six months where I just seem to sit around the house and watch TV most week nights which, coupled with my less than stimulating work environment during the day, has resulted in a case of extreme boredom.

Do you think the fact that I don't feel any difference from the anti-depressants would support this (ie not a serotonin problem)?

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:35 pm

Hi Bill

Despite what the drug companies would have us and our doctors believe, depression is rarely a 'seratonin' problem inasmuch as it is not caused by low seratonin, although low seratonin can result. The Depression Learning Path will tell you why this is the case.

It sounds to me like you have identified a major part of the problem at least, which has to be good news!

Roger

**Posts:** 6 · by **Bill** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:57 pm

Looks like i'm on the right track anyway and just wanted to say thanks for pointing me in this direction. Just wanted to ask about one final point though... As I said earlier, I find it really hard to relax and settle myself and as you suggested Roger, anxiety can be caused by the lack of an outlet as we discussed. Do you feel that the regular practice of relaxation would be beneficial for this type of anxiety which is ultimately caused by boredom to a certain degree? The reason I ask is that when I am feeling wound up and anxious, the thought of trying to relax seems like a pointless pursuit and makes me feel even more tense!

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:32 am

the thought of trying to relax seems like a pointless pursuit and makes me feel even more tense!

Bill that is a good one! I think it's a great shame how our culture has lead us to believe that faster is better. So many psychological problems could be avoided by people understanding better what their mind/body needs and building it into their life.

Imagine an alien driving a car for the first time. He'd get perhaps 400 miles then jump out in anger because it stopped and refused to do his bidding any more. He'd kick the tires, the bodywork and get quite worked up, all because he didn't know about petrol.

Relaxing isn't something extra, it isn't be lazy, it isn't failure. Relaxing is intelligent, informed, advanced management of the incredible system you are in charge of. And once you can drop your blood pressure 10 points in a minute by the use of your mind alone, then you can call yourself good at it

It's a skill to learn - learn it. And that goes for everyone.

End Rant.

Roger

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