This is anon48191, I apologize for using yet another anonymous user. As outlined in my, unfortunately dead, comment I have reasons to stay anonymous (check shadowdead if you're interested in my original comment).
I would also like to quickly address the comment by Flow:
It might very well be that people around me already know. However, there's a big issue between knowing and officially knowing. Further, I never talked about medication. I personally don't believe much in medication. The steps I was considering were talking to a psychiatrist and take it from there. However as soon as I do this, it is bound to become public, as in public within my circles.
I will not question Flows intention in their comment, their knowledge or familiarity of the issue. However, and you'll have to take the word from an anonymous commenter on the internet for this, I am most definitely depressed, if not worse, and outright claiming my (however anecdotal) comment is wrong, seems a bit harsh.
I've been fighting exhaustion/fatigue, and some degree of depression that seems to always come with exhaustion, for more than 10 years. It's been a journey to put it mildly, but now I know myself better than ever.
From what I've read and learnt during these years, is that exercise seems to be the most effective treatment. This is the only thing I've not tried seriously yet.
Medication has helped a bit. I can say they are no quick fix, you have to give them at least 3-4 months before you stabilize and can start to reason about how you feel and how to proceed. I hesitated before I tried them, and feel that it was quite dumb and a waste of time to not take them earlier.
The last thing I'd like to mention, is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT. It worked really well for me. I managed to do several things I wanted to do for years, and the feeling was incredible to finally get out of the catch-22.
Here in (Nordic Country), CBT is not a crazy sign. I know a lot of people that go and have CBT sessions for things like to reason about how to unstuck their life, solve issues at work.
It's no more weird than having a personal trainer at the gym.
From your wording it seems you really feel you need to do something. I don't think your mental health will get better without you changing or doing something about it.
Perhaps you could take a few CBT sessions for your depression, but officially say it's because you want to accelerate your career? Soften your friend and coworkers by sending them links to articles about becoming more efficient at work via CBT?
It's really unproductive and shameful that mental health issues are so stigmatic.
Thank your for replying to me instead of just drive-by down-voting. I wish you luck finding a solution that fits you.
This is anon48191, I apologize for using yet another anonymous user. As outlined in my, unfortunately dead, comment I have reasons to stay anonymous (check shadowdead if you're interested in my original comment).
I would also like to quickly address the comment by Flow:
It might very well be that people around me already know. However, there's a big issue between knowing and officially knowing. Further, I never talked about medication. I personally don't believe much in medication. The steps I was considering were talking to a psychiatrist and take it from there. However as soon as I do this, it is bound to become public, as in public within my circles.
I will not question Flows intention in their comment, their knowledge or familiarity of the issue. However, and you'll have to take the word from an anonymous commenter on the internet for this, I am most definitely depressed, if not worse, and outright claiming my (however anecdotal) comment is wrong, seems a bit harsh.