Help with depression? I feel like a loser?
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Answers:
You'll surely get lots of advice to this question that amounts to "hang in there," or "look on the positive side," but that kind of advice is really worthless. Try these very concrete steps--take it from someone that's been *exactly* where you are now:
1) Anti-depressants alone are not enough. Research has very strongly shown that the anti-depressants have to be paired with talk therapy (a biweekly meeting with a psychologist, in other words). And choose your counselor carefully--if you don't feel they're useful or actually help you, immediately switch to someone else.
2) Research has also very conclusively shown that most people in our condition only find real improvement with a *combination* of anti-depressants. Surveys show that the majority of people using anti-depressants and report benefits from using them take *two* different kinds at the same time. For example, if you're already taking Zoloft, you might investigate with your psychiatrist about pairing that with Straterra or Prozac.
3) You need to know that it's actually very natural for people suffering depression, but yet *recovering*, to suddenly find themselves immensely dissatisfied with their current set of friends, goals, etc. This is actually a good process in the end and will ultimately reveal things to you about yourself that maybe you couldn't or didn't want to face before.
4) You'd be amazed how much some kind of exercise routine, whatever it consists of, will improve your depression. Though some will say exercise is about you feeling better about yourself and refreshed or whatever, it's actually more simple and straightforward than that--exercising releases more of the chemicals (endorphins) that you're low in if experiencing depression.
5) I bet you have sleep troubles of some sort, right? That's very typical of depression. Always go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, and even see if your doctor thinks you could benefit from some of the amazing sleeping pills on the market by now.
6) I might as well end my advice by once again referring to very specific, concrete research--get more sun and make sure you spend the majority of your time in brightly-lit places. Studies have suggested very strongly that exposure to sun or light is an incredibly important factor in the chemical reactions that affect mood.
Okay, maybe that was long-winded, but when I used to ask people these kind of questions, I was always frustrated by how useless and non-specific their advice was. I've tried to give you very specific steps to take, and I hope they help you! :-)
Other Answers:
smile and take it one day at a time
trust me ur not the only one that feels that way i feel like that all the time. its harmones or a chemical imbalance its something u cannot help. u need to keep taking ur meds because its not good to just stop like that. i feel the same way when i skip mine. everything will get better u r just going through a tough spot in ur life at age 19. as u get older things will get better i promise ive been there and im only 22 now hope this helps.and good luck. meds can take 30 or more days to kick in. it is SO important to take them. Taking 1 here and there does nothing. TAKE YOUR MEDS AS DESCRIBED!
Everything in this world has an end, even your problems. "There is no way to happiness. Happiness is a way itself." -Unknown.
Yeah, this may sound cheesy, but you're not the only one. At your age this is a pretty common feeling.a big time of transition.high-school is over, what's the next step? All I can tell you is that it's natural and you just need start doing things to make you feel better- this doesn't have to be drinking yourself blind or doing what everyone else does.always wanted to paint or play an instrument, but haven't? Do that.find something that gets part of you going.that will help the other parts come up as well!
Good luck.
stay here and chat with some people, drinking is not cool, I usually meet some pretty funny people here. I wish i could be your age. enjoy it. it is a confusing stage but believe me it is the best one.your skin is so nice and you have anatural glow. instead of complaining .think..why you are not hanging out? maybe because you just need to tell people you want to do it and they will invite you. do not take pills,excercise and you will feel better about yourself and guys will start asking you out. go to a hairstylist and ask him for a makeover..this would also will motivate you to start anew life. always stay positive and with a smile this attract people. you will be surrounded by them. PLEASE please do not feel depress at this age. this is just the beginning of a very interesting life.
Your not a loser hun I have been dealing with depression since I was a teen also I mean I am 22 now and still have it and I dont take anything for it.I know STUPID ME. but anyways you are not the only one in the world there are millions of people with it. You just gotta hang in there and eventually if your worried about the friend adn the boyfriend thing.eventully you will find someone who will taje care of you and love and accept you.wether a friend or boyfriend..your life isnt over and I understand about the motivation thing you are not the only one.thankfully have someone to work for me because I am the same way, but life gets better sweetheart it really does.
Hi,, eurostar,,,,,
Your ok ,,, you at least know why you feel like you do,,(the depression) now,, what you have to do,, is this ! Take your medicine,,, like you should,,,, talk-- to your doctor and explain your feelings if the meds are not working.. and get some real friends,,, to go out with once in a while if nothing else.
Pull yourself up ! ,,,, get up off that thing,, and pull yourself together. as james brown sings.
you can do it..
good luck..
u r who u r.dont need 2 conform 2 a stereotype..i sufferd from anxiety,panic attacks and depression for a few yrs..love yourself,be your own person,stuff what any one else thinks,you are a survivor and it will leave you in time,dont dwell on your faults,be positive and u will shine,believe me.itl take time but u will rise above it xxxxI Medication 4 me was not the best choice,i felt i had 2 depend on myself good luck I'm staying at home alone now too. But I 'm alright, coz I am occupied, I will go to watch a movie , maybe Basic Instinct or any other good movie. And I will go to to eye brow embroidery, to make myself look better. I'm going to find X men III, my favourite 's movie. I'm sure after I watch the movie , I will be happier.
Think and find something to do , it makes you feel better when your mind is occupied. It works.
if you're depressed, why don't you find a way to make yourself feel better? you surely have some favorite things to do, right?
in this life, everyone has some times to feel depressed (that includes me).it's normal..all you have to do is do the things you wanted to do..i don't have many friends too and sometimes it feels like i don't have any..but it doesn't stop me from doing the things i wanted to do..so why not do something you like for yourself? it'll make you feel better!
Advice from an old man that has been around!! Been there. done that.. Life will not get better until you take control. Decide what you want and go for it!! You are young - the world is yours!! Not what other people think you want, do what you want!
I was 19 before I decided I needed to take control. By 23 my life was on !! I decided to drop my loser friends. I went off to college. In college I meet tons of great people!! I ws lost but finally I got a career goal. I meet a few ladies I should have married. My life fell together because I did what I wanted! I proved to myself that I had what it takes to be happy.
You are on meds. Stay on. But work with your doc to develop a plan to get off.
You are not a loser!! I am not a loser! We are coming from the same place!! Set a goal! Get going!! It will all pull together I promise. But you have to take the frist step!!
You are not a loser, depressions come and go except some people have a brain chemical disorder, First trust in God, then you need to try to think of good things when you feel bad,Get out with non drinking friends, ( alcohol is a depressant, so leave it alone) You definitely need to see a counsel, the reason may be simple. Sometimes I sing a happy song and go on. Be careful with the drugs, I've been on many and only a few work, some made it worse. I take only a mini um amount. It takes about 2 weeks for them to get in your system,
and when you come off taper off them. See a Dr. if you don't have the money check with the health dept.
Also try to stay busy and focused on what your goals are. I have PTSD and I know it's hard but you can live with it.
God bless you and you have a purpose on earth and will find it if you look for it.
I do volunteer work in a nursing home, and I am thankful for my health, when I see the shape some are in.and get a pet.
Honey, the best thing you can do for yourself is take a few deep breaths and look at the world around you. You're 19.you don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to be out drinking and partying your life away. Be thankful for the positives in your life.
I'm 25 and have spent a year battling cancer, there are days I get so mad or depressed about stuff that I just want to scream. I'll tell you one thing, when you're facing a life threatening disease you dont find yourself saying "Gee, I wish i would have hung out more and drank with my friends."
Be you.that doesn't mean you have to be doing the same thing as every other 19 year old. You need to find out what makes YOU happy. Don't try so hard to fit into the stereotype.
Ask your doc to check you into the space station(the mental ward)your dosage of whatever you take is not strong enough.
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