The physical symptoms of depression are destroying my life
Without getting into too much detail, I have been on-and-off struggling with depression for the past year.
Exactly one year ago in May I entered a major depressive episode that left me crippled, pretty much tied to my bed. I went to a multitude of doctors because I didn't even know depression could cause such severe physical symtpoms.
Doctors ruled out Hypothyroidism, Anemia, Vitamin Defficiencies, I even got an MRI scan to check for anything neurological and that was all ruled out. Eventually, in September, I was sent to a psychiatrist, who prescribed zoloft - and I finally saw physical improvement. However I had to stop taking it due to its side effects, I felt like part of me was being slowly killed through the medicine.
Now, one year later, I am experiencing the same crash. I'm constantly exhausted, dizzy, brain fogged, can't concentrate on anything, can barely get out of bed, muscle weakness, all that jazz.
I did lab tests to rule out hypothyroidism again (i'm vulnerable due to family history) and all my results are in order. So I'm waiting for my doctor's appointment but I'm pretty certain it will be another depression diagnosis.
Is there ANYTHING I can do to manage the physical symptoms without taking SSRIs that mess up my brain chemistry? I know exercise and clean eating helps, but I used to be an athlete and then had to stop *because* of the depression. Being unable to exercise is a symtpom for me, unfortunately.
I have tried taking more walks outside and stuff, but it's genuinely physically difficult to do it for more than 10 minutes. I get dizzy, lightheaded, I feel like I constantly have to lay down. And it's been affecting my work to the point where I am barely getting anything done.
Has anyone experienced this? What course of action am I supposed to take here?