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Posted 3/25/2018 4:37 PM (GMT -5)
Hi guys

I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing depression or burnout that's led to a TIA (ministroke) but either way, it's left me physically unable to smile properly and my face now radiates a fixed droopy demeanour. This means all of a sudden meeting new people is practically impossible due to almost immediate social rejection.

I've attached some before and after photos so you can see the difference. It's not that I'm feeling sad or down in the after-shots, that's literally now how my face looks when I attempt to make a smile. I can't seem to make (or even fake) a smile anymore, yet no matter what the circumstances were previously, I could easily.

The reason I'm not sure it's depression is because I know if I can come across properly again and connect with others well then my life can improve. But this face thing is seriously getting in the way. Also when I go to tell a story, the words I need don't come to mind so what comes out is a disjointed, sometimes confusing babble and I get lost halfway through. So I'm struggling to make any kind of relationship work. The muscles around my lips also feel different and my mouth feels stiff when I talk. Are these depression signs or should I be looking elsewhere?
Posted 3/25/2018 4:39 PM (GMT -5)
Thought i'd just add... I'm on the NHS in the UK so I have to wait 2 weeks before I get to see a consultant. I'm not trying to get a diagnosis online, that wouldn't be fair. I just wondered if depression could do this and if anyone has any experiences of getting their old happy-face back.

Thanks
Posted 3/26/2018 9:35 AM (GMT -5)
Hey Kevin, welcome aboard!

Hmmm, doesn't sound like any manifestation of depression that I've ever encountered, but thanks be to the Baby Jeepers, I haven't encountered them all. If I had to guess a discipline to consult, I'd suggest neurology. Bell's Palsy comes to mind, but only because I had a friend of a friend who experienced it 30+ years ago.

Your eyes look very happy in all the pics. I gotta say, I didn't notice too much difference in the before and after shots, but I don't know your face as well as you do.

Good luck trying to nail this thing down!
Posted 3/26/2018 6:14 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the helpful reply F27!
Posted 3/27/2018 7:50 PM (GMT -5)
Keven,

Like F27 there are other Diagnosis that could cause this reaction and it my not be permanent.

I suggest you see your family doctor or a neurologist to be re diagnosed.
If you do not find compassion with your GP, find another doc, til one will see you.

Peace
Trina
Posted 3/29/2018 11:07 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks BNotAfraid.
Sadly the NHS here in England means there’s a lot of hurdles to jump before even considering a neurologist. So far I have a referral to a memory clinic and then a psychiatrist.

I’m happy to believe that prolonged stress might have led up to this but it’s the inability to connect with other people that’s making me anxious and depressed - rather than anxiety and depression in themselves being cause and consequence.
Posted 3/30/2018 9:33 AM (GMT -5)
Do they not have emergency rooms there?
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