I am facing stress and slight depression, what to do?
Psychiatrist,
Blauvelt, New York
Q: I am a 43 years old male, height of 5'4" with 71 kg weight, blessed with a responsible wife and two school going daughters. Having clean habits, pure vegetarian, non-smoker, non-alcoholic. Having disappointment in professional growth & salary, some stress and slight depression at the depth of the heart. Having BP in the range of 130/100. Working in the accounts department of a big group and carrying out the official responsibilities in a balanced way to the best possible. My problem is that I am not able to get good restful sleep, and full of dreams of routine domestic nature as if it is alive activity. I normally go to bed at 11.00 PM and get sleep slowly. As soon as get up in the morning at around 6.30 am, no remembrance of dreams very much and I feel as if I have not taken any rest and feeling tired. Though, so far this has not affected my official/personal responsibilities seriously the productivity/concentration is not its best and fear of health has arisen now. This problem had been existing for the past so many years (say 7-8 years) and the disturbance/concern is more on this issue due to age factor and other related problems one way or other.
A:Your letter suggests the possibility of mild clinical depression. You would do well to have a consultation with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker-psychotherapist to clarify the picture. One approach to help you would be counselling to review your symptoms, your frustrations with career, etc. Another would be to take medication, if the diagnosis of depression is confirmed. In either case, you can definitely be helped to feel better, sleep better, and experience greater satisfaction with your life.