Depression and the body

Hello, I am new here.  I am a married thirty-something mom of three (two of my children are bipolar).  I have always struggled with depression.  I am currently on Cymbalta 60mg, and Lamictal 150mg.  Until today, I thought that my depression was under control.  I have not been crying or thinking like a depressed person.  However, it occurred to me that the PHYSICAL things I am fighting might just be depression.  I am TIRED all the time--to the point that my eyes burn, my head is foggy, and my body is lethargic.  I feel as though I am moving at a snail's pace these days.   I am too tired to be conversational.  My mind is full of ideas/motivation to garden, play with my kids, work on home-improvement projects..., but the physical fatigue keeps me returning to bed for yet another nap.  As the days go by and nothing I want to do is getting done, I am beginning to FEEL depressed in mind.  I am frustrated.  I realized today as I hid out on the back porch that if I were an objective observer of myself, I'd say, "that girl sure LOOKS depressed."

I sleep well at night--7 to 10 hours.  I have had a physical with bloodwork showing I am healthy.  So my question is this: 

Can depression manifest at times as a physical state BEFORE one feels emotionally depressed?

Bluemom

Hi bluemom,  I wanted to welcome you to the forum, we are happy to have you.  It has been proven that there are many physicial side effects of depression as well as mental.  Once you are on a medication regime and feel that your depression has lifted but are still feeling sluggish and fatigued than these could very well be signs that your in need of an adjustment. Or it may not be your medication at all but stress from taking care of two children with BP...I am sure that is quite the job to handle and my heart goes out to you.  I would most certianly speak to your doctor regarding this.  Take care

I agree with Susan. I notice when I am physically sick, my whole body and mind are dragged down. Forget it, my spelling goes out the window. I do very poorly at computer games.

There is a tendency for doctors not to take care of anything until it is completely out of control. They also misdiagnose a lot and are not half as sophisticated as they pretend to be.

If you possibly can afford it, go back to your psychiatrist and to see a good physician (if you can find one).

Hi Bluemom,

First of all - welcome to healing well
I can understand what you are going through. I suffer with a great deal of physical symptoms with my depression and anxiety. I often feel sick, have stomach problems, headaches,dizziness and I feel so tired all the time. I hate feeling this way but these symptoms have improved since taking an antidepressant.
I would speak to your doctor again about these symptoms.
Take care

Victoria

Thank you for the responses and the warm welcome. It is SO nice to know that I am not alone. I decided to increase my Lamictal on my own. My doc had me on 300mg this winter. I was feeling great this spring so I went down on my own to 150mg. I figure before I go in to see the doc, I should try taking the higher dose to see how I feel. I think I will also see my regular physician to rule out a B vitamin deficiency.

Bluemom