Has anyone been diagnosed with depression?

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
The following posts are correct 100%. As someone who has himself suffered from depression, I can verify both.

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.
If your family doctor determines it's needed have him/her refer you to a counselor.

I think you need some professional counseling. you've realized there are problems now so take the next step, do the right thing, and seek help.

Chin up.

This is correct. A combination of one-on-one and (often less expensive) group therapy is a good idea. Often, group therapy can consist of going bowling; having a $200-an-hour PHD present is not necessary. (In fact, going bowling was suggested by my doc simply because she was booked constantly.)

Also, no medication is right for everyone. If a medication does not work after roughly four weeks, try a new one. Also, note the side effects - some drugs will make you go to sleep very quickly, while others are stimulants.

Originally posted by: Whisper

Two other things: the information given by the OP isn't enough for a diagnosis of anxiety (or just about anything else for that matter), especially considering that many of the symptoms of anxiety and depression can seem very similar.

Also, if someone is in fact suffering from depression, even though they may know they need to "man up" and change something, part of the disorder itself is the inability to do so. That's what makes it such a devastating condition. It's sort of like when you've just had your heart broken by an ex...you know you shouldn't talk to her, that there are plenty of other women out there, etc., but you can't seem to make yourself believe it, nor can you make the thoughts of the two of you together stop rushing through your head. It's tricky stuff sometimes.

Bingo.

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: shocksyde
Edit: And for the guy who told me to stop being a pussy - What the hell? Thanks for the great advice.

I actually did give you good advice, see a professional or man up to your life. You see obvious and easily correctable faults in your way of living and yet are too scared or whatever to do anything about them. That link that I posted after I said that might change your life.

I hate to break it to you buddy, but life isn't all sunshine and puppy dogs, sometimes you need a good smack in the face to put reality in perspective.

Fvck you.

:thumbsup:

I'm talking from personal experience here dude. I've suffered from depression too.

 

[shocksyde]

As I can understand telling me to man up and deal with it, I can deal with that. It's the name calling I don't agree with. You made good points though, so I thank you for that. I was just pointing out that calling someone a pussy doesn't help anything.

 

[panipoori]

I think the most important thing for you to do is be active, it helps to keep your mind off negative thoughts. You could always try taking St. Johns Wort which doesnt need a presciption or anything and see how it works for you..

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.

You, of all people, should know how prescription happy the whole of the medical community is.

A prescription to anti-depressants is pretty much standard nowadays.

Yeh, I know how prescription happy docs are nowadays. That is why I've told him to see a psychiatrist and not just take a pill cause his regular doc thinks it's a quick fix. I've seen it way too many times, and without proper diagnosis arrived at first.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.

You, of all people, should know how prescription happy the whole of the medical community is.

A prescription to anti-depressants is pretty much standard nowadays.

Yeh, I know how prescription happy docs are nowadays. That is why I've told him to see a psychiatrist and not just take a pill cause his regular doc thinks it's a quick fix. I've seen it way too many times, and without proper diagnosis arrived at first.

But we both know a psychiatrist is going to give him a pill too, that's my whole point.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Set up an appointment with your family doctor. DO NOT LET HIM/HER PUT YOU ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS - only let a psychiatrist do that.

You, of all people, should know how prescription happy the whole of the medical community is.

A prescription to anti-depressants is pretty much standard nowadays.

Yeh, I know how prescription happy docs are nowadays. That is why I've told him to see a psychiatrist and not just take a pill cause his regular doc thinks it's a quick fix. I've seen it way too many times, and without proper diagnosis arrived at first.

But we both know a psychiatrist is going to give him a pill too, that's my whole point.

Not necessarily. At least I know when one is referred for counseling and sees a certified counselor with the psychiatrist just overseeing, that medicine isn't given from the get go.

 

[DotheDamnTHing]

I was in the same shoes (Hypomanic) last year while in 3rd yr of university. Depression hit me like a bag of hammers (was only enrolled in one class; whereas started off with five) and only began to abate with 6 months of counseling but thankfully no medicine. However, I still "feel" it on the periphery of my thoughts most often manifested through second-guessing, undermining and lack of motivation or lack of feelings of accomplishment

 

[Whisper]

Group therapy was actually a great suggestion. Even if it doesn't end up working, it's generally cheaper than one-on-one sessions (as has already been mentioned), and if nothing else, can help you determine whether that particular therapists style appeals to you. Some people do better in the group dynamic, and some need individual attention; nothing wrong with either.

The important part to remember is that there's nothing wrong with needing a little help getting through things now and again. No one would look down on you for going to a doctor to set a broken arm, nor for seeking out a tutor were you having trouble with calculus; the same should be the case with mental health as well. Sometimes, everyone needs a little extra support.

 

[Jeff7]

One other thing too, you have to want to change. If you don't want to, nothing will happen.
I speak from experience. I have yet to seek help because I have felt this way for close to 15 years. I feel like I know nothing else. Being depressed and cynical is what I know, it's where I live. The idea of leaving it is terrifying. I have no idea how to behave, no reference, nothing. I don't know what people do. Well, I see what they do, and it just doesn't appeal to me.

But I do hear that the world outside of depression can be pretty cool, and even fun. You might want to check it out. Tell yourself that, believe that it is something you want. If you want it, you'll be more willing to do what it takes to get there.

 

[shocksyde]

I do want to change, and I do plan to do something about it after reading these responses. I have made some changes on my own without help, but the deeper problems are gonna need some outside, I believe.

Oh, and some advice to anyone who thinks they may be in the same boat. Before I posted here I took a few online "Are you depressed?" quizes. Don't do that. It made me feel horrible.

 

[Flyback]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but anyways its for the best:

See a professional.

Before that, though, go see your father. Visiting hospitals can be really tough for people who aren't normally emotional or don't want to acknowledge mortality--that won't ever change.

Sometimes we need the help of others to get out of our funk. It could be that both of you could help each other. He needs your support more than anything right now, and maybe if you visit him, talk with him and do it regularly -- you can help him overcome his problem.

Similarly watching him treat alcoholism and manage diabetes correctly (through diet, exercise and lifestyle) you could really start to feel better yourself--by alieviating that stress on yourself, your own life gets better and you become happier. It's a win-win situation.

Not everyone had a Leave it To Beaver childhood, and many people have strained relations with parents. It sucks, but you can't change the past or dwell on it.

Maybe if you give a little, he gives a little. You get to know him better and he opens up with time. Maybe he has just been closed and depressed like you this whole while? People can surprise you beyond imagination. Spend time with him, talk to him, hang out more and help him get over his own life funk. Get to know him better if you didn't know him well in the past.

Again, it's a win-win situation. It is hard, no doubt, to open up and take a chance and make yourself vulnerable by visiting him and wanting to be better friends with your father.

I think if you do this above everything else, you can help better the other parts of your life more easily. You will almost immediately feel the burden lift and you can go on through your rest of daily chores--get your license stuff fixed, etc.

And the only reason I think a lot of your stress / depression is related to your father is that from what you've said, you didn't talk much in the past, for the past 2 years you have been stressed over him (stress can often lead to depression), and you are fearful of hospitals (possibly a fear of acknowledging him--not the hospital itself). I dunno, thats just what I read into it.

 

[arrfep]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: shocksyde
Edit: And for the guy who told me to stop being a pussy - What the hell? Thanks for the great advice.

I actually did give you good advice, see a professional or man up to your life. You see obvious and easily correctable faults in your way of living and yet are too scared or whatever to do anything about them. That link that I posted after I said that might change your life.

I hate to break it to you buddy, but life isn't all sunshine and puppy dogs, sometimes you need a good smack in the face to put reality in perspective.

Fvck you.[/quote]
:thumbsup:

I'm talking from personal experience here dude. I've suffered from depression too.[/quote]


I agree with tweaknm here. As insensitive as it may seem, a lot of the time what people who have depression need is a swift kick in the a$$. Because pity, it seems, just promotes excuses, and excuses never do any one any good. You need execution and action.

I've been in the same boat, and maybe I guess I still am. I've had a really rough couple of years and pretty much wasting my life, not coming near to my potential in any aspect of my life. Why? I don't know. Just like you don't know. And that's what makes it so frustrating, and I think harder to overcome. Because if you don't know what's wrong you can't even begin to try and fix it.

I just turned 26 and I live about the most unfulfilling life imagineable. I live at home, have a terrilbe entry-level job, alienate my friends and have a nonexistent love life, and I'm about 40 pounds overweight. And I drive a station wagon. Wow...lol. I bet that's pretty much how everybody imagines the typical ATOTer.

Thing is, I'm not this person. Two years ago, I bicycled from coast-to-coast of the USA. I was a 3-season athlete in High School. I got a 30 on my ACT, graduated National Merit commended and had a beautiful girlfriend. I got into a great private college. I was happy and optimistic.

Then something happened. What it was, I don't know. But I accepted that failure was okay...I still remember the exact moment. And then it snowballed, because I gave up on myself. It doesn't matter what doctors give you or what people on a forum tell you...you CANNOT give up on yourself. But that's what happens when you get pity, instead of support. Yeah, fail. Fall on your face. Everybody will tell you you gotta jump back up when you fall. Maybe that's not right. Maybe hang around in the dirt a while. See how terrible it is. I can tell that if you're posting a question about this, you can see how terrible it is.

So do something about it. It finally clicked with me in the past few months. I got back in the gym. I started eating right. I started saving my money and paying off my debt (which creates more stress which worsens the depression). I started trying to be nicer, getting back in touch with the people I hadn't seen in a while. Got re-interested in my hobbies. I'm getting back in shape now and I walk taller. And that makes me smile. And just smiling makes me feel better. I'm going back to school next semester. And I'm ready to make the changes I need to make.

The point is (sorry about the long rant) that when it comes down to it, like tweakmm said...you gotta man up. Everbody slumps, and hey maybe that slump will be the best thing that happens to you. But you gotta get yourself out. Becuase you have to be willing to help yourself before anyone else can help you.

Good Luck.

 

[Saint Nick]

You interests and hobbies change with time... thats normal. I don't get to play guitar or skateboard as much as I used to because I have a part-time job, full time school, and a full time relationship. I can't do stuff with my friends a lot of the time because of the same reasons.