Dealing with depression?

[dabis]

Well, I know this is general discussion, so I don't know how many answers that aren't "go kill yourself" I will get, but I thought I'd at least ask for opinions here. I've been dealing with being severely depressed for nearly 1.5 years now and because of it my social, academic, and life in general have been taking a major downfall. My best friend who no longer can take dealing with the stress I put on them with my emotions has suggested that I either get counseling or get put on anti-depressant medication, so I guess I wanted to ask if you think it's justifiable to make this decision in my life.

In terms of my problem: I'm sure my close friends have at least noticed a bit of a change in my actions and personality over the past 1.5ish years, but in terms of my parents, I haven't told them about my problems yet, and since my relationship with them has been going downhill for a while, I don't think they will come to the conclusion on their own. They are probably the people that could help me most in this process of dealing with seeing a doctor, as well as how to pay for anything through health insurance. I'm just sort of scared that their reaction might lead to them treating me differently, or even looking down upon me because I am not "normal". That being said, should I bring it up to them anyways and try to let outside methods help me with my struggle or have counseling/medication not fixed things for anyone on BG who has dealt with anything like this?

Just to clarify, I am currently 19, and I am a college student, so I'm not just dealing with some kind of teenage angst problems that might arise in a middle school/high school student. Thank you to anyone that gives an attempt at real advise to me and again, I know BG is probably the wrong place to turn, but I can no longer try to deal with this on my own because I'm currently feeling terrible at least 4-5 days a week.

[Moridam]

Most colleges should have some type of free counseling service for students, try starting out there.

[tyven]

if you are 19 and in school the only thing that could depress you is a chick. find someone to bang. problem solved

[Lbelle]

If your parents aren't gigantic assholes then they will be caring and want to help you through your depression, not belittle you for not being "normal". Depression is common and is treatable, and if you do research and think that you're showing the signs then you shouldn't feel bad about getting help. Admitting you're depressed and not just angsty teenager is the first step. If your school has counseling, try it out, it's probably free and they will be able to point you in the next direction, whether it be medication or just continuing to see a counselor once a week.

I was on meds for a while when I was younger and they definitely do help. Talk to someone about it though before you make stupid decisions like slitting your wrists or killing yourself or something along those lines.

[0ni0n]

if you are 19 and in school the only thing that could depress you is a chick. find someone to bang. problem solved

this. a rebound is panacea.

[dabis]

Thanks you to the serious replies thus far. My parents would care if I brought it up, but I guess I'm just a little nervous to do so right now. I'm going maybe try and muster up the courage to bring this up to them and see how they react sometime decently soon. My guess is they'd rather deal with a recovering depressed son over a dead one any day :/

[Lbelle]

My guess is they'd rather deal with a recovering depressed son over a dead one any day :/

Exactly. You should maybe throw that statement into your argument too, just to show them how serious you are.

[Metah]

if you are 19 and in school the only thing that could depress you is a chick. find someone to bang. problem solved

Because lack of sex is the only problem in this world for a 19 year old. I'm 19 years old and I've got more pressing matters to deal with than that.

Yikes.

If you are depressed, and you know it, then do tell the people who care about you. I mean, they only want what's best for you, right? And your parents do care for you.

As for going on medication, make sure you check with several doctors before going on anything, because you don't want to get misdiagnosed on something like depression. Its not very difficult to misdiagnose something like depression, so its best to get at least 2 opinions, and see if you need medication and what kind. You may also find yourself jumping between medications until you find one that's best for you, if you need it.

[Jefe]

Depends how severe your depression is. If you don't wanna talk to your folks yet, then see a counselor. If it doesn't work then ask your folks for help. People in those cases need support, I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping out. Again, depends how depression has effected you. If it's something profound, you may want to see a doctor.

I don't know if you live a sedentary life, but being active helps too.

[Yuri-G]

imo there are two basic rules of depression. 1) it's not your fault that you feel this way. 2) you're not very likely to get better without help. I think the best type of help any depressed person can get is therapy... I am not a big fan of psychiatric medications, although I am not going to tell anyone they shouldn't take them, that's a personal choice.

the whole idea of therapy is not to make you feel better, but to give you the tools you need to manage your own issues. a good therapist's goal is basically to get rid of his clients by enabling them to deal with their own mental illness.

so yeah. talk to your parents, talk to a counselor, try to get into some therapy. that's the first step really, you may or may not need psych meds, but you should definitely start with therapy and see where that goes.

one more thing, which is extremely important: not all therapists are equal. I had a bad experience with one in college which led me to avoid seeking treatment for years. it wasn't until I finally decided to give it another whirl that I realized the therapist I had seen before was full of shit. it may take a couple tries to find one who works well with you, but don't give up on the idea of therapy just because your first shrink doesn't fit well with what you need.

[Maguspk]

It's all in your head. The problem is you, don't let someone tell you it's not your fault, it is. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and force yourself to enjoy something. Talk about it instead of letting it fester inside of you. You don't need sympathy you need to come to terms with it. Shit, people lived without drugs for depression hundreds of years ago, you'll live. Fuck, just be happy you're alive and you have the privileged life you do.

[tyven]

Because lack of sex is the only problem in this world for a 19 year old. I'm 19 years old and I've got more pressing matters to deal with than that.

well he's in school, which should be the main thing a 19 year old has to deal with. also im not saying its lack of sex, maybe his girlfriend got banged out by his roommate or something. its gotta be chick related. otherwise magus is right and its all in his head.

edit: OR just realized he's gay and is having trouble dealing with it.

[Metah]

It's all in your head. The problem is you, don't let someone tell you it's not your fault, it is. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and force yourself to enjoy something. Talk about it instead of letting it fester inside of you. You don't need sympathy you need to come to terms with it. Shit, people lived without drugs for depression hundreds of years ago, you'll live. Fuck, just be happy you're alive and you have the privileged life you do.

That's like saying "oh yeah, people with bad eyes lived fine before glasses were invented". Yeah that's true, but they still couldn't see well.

But maybe it is all in his head. Antidepressants aren't always the best answer, but in sometimes they are.

And man Tyven, I don't even know where to start with you. I gotta study, fuck this lol.

[Shuemue]

See, this is how to ask a serious question without sounding like a whiney little attentionwhore. Kudos. Certain stepchildren would do well to take note.

Sensible question deserves sensible answer, so here goes.

You should be proud of yourself for recognising that there's a problem and asking for advice on where to get the correct help. Great start.

Ideally you'll tell your parents and ask for their support, and at the same time go see the counselling team at your college. They will have dealt with similar requests for assistance, it's really not terribly uncommon. Don't jump straight at pills, persevere with less invasive things first imo.

[dabis]

These suggestions are really helping me decide how I need to go about dealing with this ordeal, thanks again! I'm a little nervous about visiting a shrink, but if that will help me, I will surely face that experience because I really am tired of being like this >.<

[tyven]

And man Tyven, I don't even know where to start with you. I gotta study, fuck this lol.

yes you have to study, because you are in school, which should be the #1 priority in a 19 year old's life. /depression

[tyven]

Dabis where do you go to school?

[Bunnykillah]

Come to terms that life isn't a bowl of fruit. I agree with Maguspk on this one.

[Shuemue]

BK that's because you're a redneck, old pal.

[Bunnykillah]

Haha. What up Shues!