This is my first post. I haven't been diagnosed with depression, so am not sure whether I should even be posting in this forum. But for a long time now, and increasingly over the last six months, I've been finding it difficult to function properly. I'm constantly tired, have no motivation to do anything, don't get any enjoyment from anything and have trouble sleeping. I'm finding it difficult to cope with ordinary things, like tidying up or going to the supermarket. My apartment is a mess and I can just about manage to get to work in the mornings, but now that is getting difficult.
The thing I'm most concerned about is the fact that I'm having difficulty concentrating and thinking straight and that it's affecting my productivity at work. This is now half what it used to be. I'm doing things very slowly, and can't seem to speed up. I used to be one of the most productive members of staff, but am now one of the slowest, and am perceived as not pulling my weight. If things continue like this, I'm afraid that my job could be at risk. I often feel like resigning, have ideas of just not turning up, but know that isn't rational and I can't afford to be unemployed. Everything seems pointless and I don't feel like going on generally, which I know isn't rational either.
I haven't ever consulted a doctor about this, but decided to see a GP recently about it. I said that that I felt tired all the time and had trouble concentrating, and felt generally miserable. Told him my main concern was not being able to concentrate properly, and how it was affecting my performance at work. He asked me: "What do you think about, then? South Africa?" Er, no... He checked my BP and listened to the heart/lungs. Asked if I ate red meat (yes) and took exercise (yes). He said everything was OK and that I was just tired. He prescribed valerian sleeping tablets (which don't work) and magnesium (not sure what for).
I feel completely burned out and mentally exhausted, but don't know what to do. Try another GP? If so, what should I say? Is there any point in even consulting a doctor? I feel that I should be able to snap out of it, or deal with it myself and the fact the GP I saw said there was nothing physically wrong, and seemed dismissive and didn't give any real help, seemed to confirm that. I took a week's holiday recently, but didn't feel much better afterwards. I feel that I need a block of time away from work in order to sort myself out, but obviously can't ask for that unless the doctor suggests it.
Any advice would be welcome.
