male only Depression

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

Hi everyone, I know that most men refuse to talk about feelings but I need to know if this is normal. I had the VSG 3 1/2 months ago. I've lost a lot of weight and was really happy about it. Now I'm going through some pretty extreme emotional mood swings. My feelings get hurt at the drop of a hat. I've really been feeling sad, lonely, and depressed. Is anyone else going through this? Do you know if there's anything that can be done to help?

Dwayne, I'm curious to know if you had bouts of depression before surgery. I've had seasonal affective disorder my whole life and wasn't finally diagnosed and properly medicated for BP II until my 30s. I had heard that depression can be heightened after surgery and read this book before surgery and twice after. I found it very helpful.

Find a reputable psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist near you and go talk it out and try to keep your mind open. You may be offered medication which you may or may not want, but from personal experience, I have found that my meds stabilize my mood so there are less ups and downs and the ups and downs become less frequent and less severe. I recommend skipping the psychologist because you can get the same talk from a psychiatrist with the added benefit of not having to go to a new doctor and tell your life story all over again should your psychologist suggest you go on meds or you choose to. Don't forget, meds don't have to be for life and you don't have to feel all over the place.

I wish you peace.

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

OH YEAH! The book is http://amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical-ebook/dp/B0054RXXS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414465161&sr=1-1&keywords=emotional+first+aid+kit

[Dwayne NM 7]

Dwayne, I'm curious to know if you had bouts of depression before surgery. I've had seasonal affective disorder my whole life and wasn't finally diagnosed and properly medicated for BP II until my 30s. I had heard that depression can be heightened after surgery and read this book before surgery and twice after. I found it very helpful.

Find a reputable psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist near you and go talk it out and try to keep your mind open. You may be offered medication which you may or may not want, but from personal experience, I have found that my meds stabilize my mood so there are less ups and downs and the ups and downs become less frequent and less severe. I recommend skipping the psychologist because you can get the same talk from a psychiatrist with the added benefit of not having to go to a new doctor and tell your life story all over again should your psychologist suggest you go on meds or you choose to. Don't forget, meds don't have to be for life and you don't have to feel all over the place.

I wish you peace.

Hi, yes I've suffered depression all my life. It has been controlled well with medication for years. The type of emotions that I'm feeling now far surpasses the problem that I started out with. The responses from all the great people on here have helped me understand what's going on, which makes me less afraid that it's a permanent problem. Thanks very much.

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

My emotions went into overdrive and adding a mood stabilizer and a minor increase in my antidepressant was a night and day difference for me.

[Camarolegend 185]

Congrats on weight loss! I suggest a regular and semi vigorous exercise routine. The endorphins released will hep counteract depression. It also gives you another feeling of accomplishment.

[DarkerIncubi 0]

Low Vitamin B-12 levels will cause mood instability. Since the part of your stomach that enables B12 absorption has been removed, you need to supplement or you develop a deficiency.

Before you look at medication, get your B12 level checked and get on monthly injections if it is low. You can do this either thru your PCP or a psychiatrist. A good psychiatrist will check this at the outset. If your doctor is comfortable with you, they may even allow you to do your own injection at home.