Can anyone that has had severe depression before and gotten help tell me how much of a change you feel?
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I had depression and anxiety problems but never dealt with it until my 6 week checkup after my second child. The nurse made me go because the post partum was so obvious. It felt great to talk to someone who was unbiased and didn't judge your feelings. And she really made me think about things from other's points of view too. Make sure you tell the doctor if what they prescribe is working though. I have been on many different meds and some just plain make me sleepy. It takes some time to find the best combo of talk/meds (if they are needed) and time to be able to feel level. Also, you really have to be on the meds for a certain period of time before they are truly in your system enough to make a difference.
there are other ways beside medication.. There's mediation, yoga, church... I found my depression was caused by a severe chemical imbalance. i take Paxil 40 mgs and xanax for Panic attacks. I hate being on the meds but when I try to Wean myself off I feel terrible. I like reading and relaxing and there is hope all you have to do is find what you love to do and do it. If it involves meds than you'll just have to deal with that as well.
Good lUck.. I feel 100% better than I ever have though.
Drugs (medications) only supress symptoms so you can make drug companies money your whole life. See site below for natural ways to cure it. Many things can cause it.
Do not be embarrassed to go to a psychiatrist. Medication AND talk therapy is the best way to treat persistent depression. You don't have to be suicidal to see a psychiatrist and you don't have to feel crazy either. For your kids' sake, do all the best for your mental health. Your family doctor can refer you to someone who has the time, and is skilled in getting the meds right.
You can still be depressed and NOT be as severely depressed as you were before.
It sounds like you are seeing the good in your life! That is a wonderful gift to use as an anchor to get you through the depression.
Being depressed doesn't mean your crazy.
When you are depressed your mind does not produce the chemical serotonin. This is a chemical that levels and maintains a healthy "normal" mood.
If you have diabetes it is because your body does not produce insulin. If your body cannot create what it needs to survive you take the proper meds right?
How is depression different? You are simply taking a pill that supplies your body with serotonin. It isn't a "happy" pill. The medication doesn't fix you, it just provides the means so you can fix yourself.
I believe that a positive attitude is just as important as the medication, that is why most doctors will require therapy with the meds.
There are many new medications out there that are, by far, much better then Prozac.
You are NOT a loss cause! The sadness you feel may have nothing to do with your family or circumstances. That also means that no matter how wonderful your family is, or how perfect your life is, is canNOT fix the depression.
Good Luck!
You can email me if you have any other questions:)
Have you tried Celexa or Zoloft? You may need to try different drugs and amounts until you find one that works for you. What is embarrassing about going to counseling? Nothing. Unless of course you have "I go to a Psychiatrist for counseling" written across your forehead in red ink for everyone to see. No one is going to know unless you tell them. If counseling helps you and you and your family benefits from the sessions then this can only be a good thing.
Outside of a true chemical imbalance, psychiatric problems are a means by which you can better control the people in your environment. So are you using your depression to control others? IF so stop this. This is not fair to the people who live with you and it is not good for your beautiful children either. Do you want them to continue with the cycle of depression and control when they look for that special someone in their lives? Probably not. So go get the help you need be it counseling and/or drugs that are prescribed for these types of problems.
There is a condition called dysthymia. I was diagnosed with it several years ago, placed on prozac and went to regular counseling. It was described to me by the doctor as feeling constant, low grade dpression for a long period of time. During those periods it can get more severe at times but usually remains minor. I finally went to the doctor after feeling sad for years when I began to feel suicidal at times. In my experience, I was not helped by the Prozac. I had some relief from counseling but feel that I would have gotten a lot more out of it if I was more open to it and perhaps had a female therapist (mine was male; I am female). Ultimately, though, I think that the best thing that helped me was figuring out that it was ok to be what I am and not worrying about what I "should" be or what others thought. Having great friends around helps. People who made me happy to be myself and nothing more. People who understand that sometimes I just am not in the mood to be friendly and that I just need to go to my quiet zone-alone-and figure things out. I would say that I still feel depressed at times but I am a lot better than I used to be.
I think that you will find that as you grow older you become more comfortable with yourself and that helps. You are so young and have a tremendous amount of responsibilities. You need to take some "ME" time. Do you have people who can help you out?
Also, for the sake of your kids, do not be afraid to to look for help. If you don't want to see a psychiatrist, maybe there is a clergy member you could turn to. NO ONE needs to know but you. And don't be like me. If you go to someone and don't "click", don't give up. Try someone else.
If you really cannot try counseling, is there someone who seems to have it all together that you look up to and admire? Maybe an aunt or older sister or cousin? Try to talk to them. They just may be able to help.
I too suffered from severe depression for the first 3 quarters of my life. After trying many medications and suffering severe side affects (from which I still suffer) I stopped taking my medication and set out to self medicate. Most doctors/psychiatrist advise against that approach but I became the exception. It will sound totally absurd and I am by no means suggesting to anyone to try it, but I ate some psylocibe cubensis mushrooms and essentially rewired my brain. In my "experience" I realized that my brain was unbalanced because of unhealthy synapses( brain signals) that over time had literally carved "paths" that kept me trapped in unstable thought processes. Death anxiety, fear of losing loved ones, even imagining my own funeral had become part of my daily routine. In realizing that my problem was truly a physical defect, I was able to see that I was not "crazy" or insane (which was also a fear of mine). I began to see that this is my last chance to live before I die and I was not going allow my physical disability become a crutch. I'm thankful for every moment of my life, good or bad, because I'm alive to experience it all. You have to seek your own enlightenment and determine a turning point in which you decide you will not be defeated and you will pursue the true desires of your heart for your own personal fulfillment. Do everything that you want to do because your alive and you can. November 15 2002 changed my life, I buried a sad suicidal boy and gave birth to an illuminated man. I've survived abortion and seven suicide attempts. Insanity is hereditary in my family. I BROKE THE CYCLE. I wish you peace and contentment in the rest of your days and remember that your are worth it and this planet needs you!
Hi. I have had to see a doctor several times over the course of several months and am to here to tell you and please believe this.. THERE IS HOPE... ALOT of it!!
I have felt miserably horribly bad but managed to survive it and it is all good now. dont worry bout explaining yourself bout bein crazy or not bein crazy... aint bout that... just take care of yourself and do the rite thang by seeking out help... if you seek it... it shall come.. TRUST ME and good luck dear
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