Depression signs versus contemplation, too much thinking

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Whether it be
Dysthymia/atypical depression
Typical depression
ie all types of depressive phase, whether unipolar or bipolar.

Have experts thought that your depression symptoms are actually based due to too much thinking, analysis paralysis, etc, ie "can't get out of the door, feels like depression feeling but perhaps its just too much why this, why that, what should I do"

Any thoughts please..

what's an "expert"? The only expert on me is myself.
But yeah, that sounds like me. My brain is typically too high gear to emote. depression is for hopeless people. I have the reverse problem~ infinitely many thing to hope for, so many that I cant focus my direction very well.

what's an "expert"? The only expert on me is myself.
But yeah, that sounds like me. My brain is typically too high gear to emote. depression is for hopeless people. I have the reverse problem~ infinitely many thing to hope for, so many that I cant focus my direction very well.

I'm pretty sure depression isn't caused by thinking too much. It's caused by the "reward processing" areas of the brain being damped down. This results in a feeling that things are meaningless or that there isn't any point to anything. All the other symptoms of depression follow from this "meaninglessness" feeling.

Temporary feelings of despair and despondency in times of stress is normal, not depression.

Which leads us back to dopamine and its effects.

A number of thoughts on this, from someone who has been dealing with depression for over thirty years.

1) Normally depression is caused by loss but this can be anything, loss of a girlfriend, loss of a job, loss of dignity etc. Find out what caused the loss then you can deal with the depression.

2) There is a chemical cause for some cases of depression although I do not know the details here. This type of depression is easily treated using the latest drugs.

3) Finally, some have depression because their brains are just 'wired' that way. Dealing with this type of depression is much more complicated and can take a considerable amount of time.

Which sort do you have? I have no idea, speak to a doctor.

Vanilla_Slice

I did start to answer, then I stopped, then again, then I stopped. Then I thought it's rude not to comment on someone's 30 years experience.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atypical_d ... n#Symptoms
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atypic ... N=symptoms

Regarding depression, I fit the symptoms of dysthymia/atypical depression for possibly the last 20-25 years. I still have a massive sense of humour but then that is why atypical depression is called so. The up and downs, the "affective disorder" with a low mood etc.
Low-ish Testosterone is also a problem which I have yet to address. 10nmols (280ng/dl)

This is what I think anyway based on the DSM IV

I don't consider that I have any good cause to be depressed, except for frustration, feelings of incompetence, severe social anxiety, too much awareness leading to cycling feelings of negativity/analysis paralysis blah blah.

I was on anti-depressants for 8 months, citalopram and fluoxetine, zero effect (unless 80mg citalopram which led to some sexual functioning issues) and zero withdrawal symptoms.

Of course, the root cause and the signs are not always correct without a damn good differential diagnosis.
The NHS experts in london reckon my problem is as listed on my signature, which of course has lots of depression like symptoms and other issues.
It goes on and on and I don't trial any drugs, although I'm, after 9 months, still thinking about Testosterone and dopaminergics.
I just want to clarify things as much I can be clarified.
Labels, of course, are nothing compared to addressing the symptoms.