Should I see a doctor?

[Cra1g]

Hi, I need some help. I have been fighting with depression for around 6 months now... it will be off and on but when its on I feel so depressed that well I can get suicidal.

I have been doing some research and talking to a close friend about it. And the best option seems to be to see a doctor. I am not sure about this though because I haven't ever asked for professional help before. Another thing is that my folks don't know this is going on, and I would really like to keep it that way because I know they aren't going to handle it well at all.

I have heard a lot of talk about anti-depressants, I am just wondering if I goto see a doctor will he prescribe these straight away? I heard that they can change your personality a bit so I am a bit weary of wanting to go on them.

Can anyone who has been prescribed anti-depressants tell my the process you go through to be prescribed, and if it's affected you and obviously has it helped your condition.

Thanks

 

[jsimms615]

Hi, I need some help. I have been fighting with depression for around 6 months now... it will be off and on but when its on I feel so depressed that well I can get suicidal.

I have been doing some research and talking to a close friend about it. And the best option seems to be to see a doctor. I am not sure about this though because I haven't ever asked for professional help before. Another thing is that my folks don't know this is going on, and I would really like to keep it that way because I know they aren't going to handle it well at all.

I have heard a lot of talk about anti-depressants, I am just wondering if I goto see a doctor will he prescribe these straight away? I heard that they can change your personality a bit so I am a bit weary of wanting to go on them.

Can anyone who has been prescribed anti-depressants tell my the process you go through to be prescribed, and if it's affected you and obviously has it helped your condition.

Thanks

I would think your parents would be much more upset if you really did commit suicide.
I really don't notice a big difference when I have been on the Lexapro I take. My wife says that she sees a difference in me. I get angry less easily and easier to get along with. I just went to my doctor and told him how I was feeling and wanted to try something to help me through it and he prescribed something for me.
I noticed your 15. I had a hard time when I was that age also. There is no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs help at some point in their lives I think.

 

[pockleberry]

I don't know how the system works over there but when I went to the Dr I was refered to someone else who after a while put me on meds. when you are under 16 you are still classed as a child so that is why I got refered to someone else trained to work with children and teenagers. I didn't find that meds change your personality but it probably depends on what anti-depressant you take. Your parents might be upset at first but like jsimms615 said I'm sure they would rather find out now than have to deal with losing you...hope that helped

 

[Cra1g]

Mmmm, I understand what you mean about parents being more upset if they did lose me, but really I am not going to go that far without finding some help.

Since I am "still a child" that will probably mean they would have to have parents consent before they prescribe me anything? If that's the case it's not too long until I'm 16.

 

[Taylor43]

Please do not end your life. I can relate not wanting your parents to know and where i live a doctor has the right to notify parents until 18. Depression is real and i am praying for you to seek help necause it is so important. Just know no matter what we are here for you.

 

[.chrys.]

Recognizing the fact that you might need professional assistance is such a mature understanding! Getting the help you need before it becomes an overwhelming tragedy shows great responsiblity on your part.

Have you sought out help from a school counselor? Often they can direct you in the path toward the help you need; they could also help you determine what your options are for keeping it a private matter.

While someone here mentioned that you'd be labeled "still a child", I'm certain that you don't "feel" as if you are a child. Even so, medication affects EVERYONE differently. Youth are different than young adults; men are different than women; elders are different than the middle-aged. It is important to find a doctor who understands these differences--both from a psychological standpoint and a physical standpoint.

Just keep that in mind.

Keep searching! You will find the answers you seek.

~Witness

 

[jsimms615]

Mmmm, I understand what you mean about parents being more upset if they did lose me, but really I am not going to go that far without finding some help.

Since I am "still a child" that will probably mean they would have to have parents consent before they prescribe me anything? If that's the case it's not too long until I'm 16.

Does your school have a school counselor that maybe you can go talk to without your parents knowing it? Maybe he/she can help refer you to someone or discuss what is bothering you with you?

 

[Cra1g]

They do, but over here in New Zealand it's summer break so I will not be able to see him for a few weeks.

 

[.chrys.]

Might I suggest a book then? An excellent book that has sold millions of copies is The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns. While you might not be able to order it over the Internet, you might be able to find a copy of it at a library.

http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Handbook-David-Burns/dp/0452281326


~Witness

 

[UberLutheran]

Hi, I need some help. I have been fighting with depression for around 6 months now... it will be off and on but when its on I feel so depressed that well I can get suicidal.

I have been doing some research and talking to a close friend about it. And the best option seems to be to see a doctor. I am not sure about this though because I haven't ever asked for professional help before. Another thing is that my folks don't know this is going on, and I would really like to keep it that way because I know they aren't going to handle it well at all.

I have heard a lot of talk about anti-depressants, I am just wondering if I goto see a doctor will he prescribe these straight away? I heard that they can change your personality a bit so I am a bit weary of wanting to go on them.

Can anyone who has been prescribed anti-depressants tell my the process you go through to be prescribed, and if it's affected you and obviously has it helped your condition.

Thanks

ABSOLUTELY see your doctor!

The right combination of anti-depressive meds can change your life.

I know: I've been there and the only way people will pull those meds away from me is to pry them out of my cold, dead hands!

 

[HannahBanana]

Hi, I need some help. I have been fighting with depression for around 6 months now... it will be off and on but when its on I feel so depressed that well I can get suicidal.

I have been doing some research and talking to a close friend about it. And the best option seems to be to see a doctor. I am not sure about this though because I haven't ever asked for professional help before. Another thing is that my folks don't know this is going on, and I would really like to keep it that way because I know they aren't going to handle it well at all.

I have heard a lot of talk about anti-depressants, I am just wondering if I goto see a doctor will he prescribe these straight away? I heard that they can change your personality a bit so I am a bit weary of wanting to go on them.

Can anyone who has been prescribed anti-depressants tell my the process you go through to be prescribed, and if it's affected you and obviously has it helped your condition.

Thanks

I would recommend that you either a)Go to your doctor, or b)Do some serious research on natural medications (i.e., vitamins, herbs, minerals, etc.), depending on whether or not you're okay with putting chemicals into your body (which is fine if you are okay with it). Believe me, I myself have tried to fight my depression without any sort of "help" (whether it be natural or chemical), and it is almost impossible. Don't risk your life just because you're scared of letting others know that you need help. Good luck.