How to look for help with depression??

rox5

Did not know where to put this, so ithought this would be a good forum for it.

But I have decided that I needed to get help, because I really do think I have depression. But I have a few questions?

How do you get diagnosed? Do you have to make an appointment with your local doctor and then he sends you to someone else for a diagnosis?

Also what would happen if I did go on medication (Ive tried counselling years ago but did not really work)? Would I need to take time off and will I act really different on the drugs?

The thing is I don't plan on telling my family of any of this, because I partly blame them for my depression, they are very critical and it always felt that i cannot do anything right with them. I mean they complain that I dont talk enough, but then when I try to talk, they never are interested!

It is so frustating and stressful, especially when I am not doing well at something like exams, and all my mother did was yell at me over them, she never considered that I might have needed some sort of help, instead she just gets angry and yells.

So u can see why I don't want to tell the family.

I am 20 now, and it has gotton to a point where I would have a drink to help with depression. Last night I was at a fashion show with my sister and aunt and of course my sister was ignoring me (even though she says I don't talk to her...kinda impossible when you do not seem interested in me) and I went over to get a drink of wine from the bar because I felt like I was going to cry and started gulping it down, even though i know ur only supposed to sip it.
I just don't want to end up an alcoholic as I have relatives who are alcoholics too.

So is it possible to go on medication but not have to take time off college or work? I might be starting college next year, and I know my mam won't let me take a gap year.

Or with the useless mental health help we have in this country, is it even worth my time? I hear of people being on waiting lists for ages to get the help they need.

AltAccount

Not medical advice, just my experience:

rox5 wrote: »

Did not know where to put this, so ithought this would be a good forum for it.

But I have decided that I needed to get help, because I really do think I have depression. But I have a few questions?

How do you get diagnosed? Do you have to make an appointment with your local doctor and then he sends you to someone else for a diagnosis?

If you read enough about it online and do a couple of online "tests", you could probably self-diagnose depression.

My number one advice - get yourself to an Aware meeting as soon as possible
http://www.aware.ie/help/support/support-groups-locations/

You'll get support and perspective (and probably advice) from people who've been through similar situations and feelings as yourself. You'll also probably be able to be more sure as to whether you're depressed or not, by comparing their experiences to yours.

After that (or before), get to your GP and talk to them about it.

rox5 wrote: »

Also what would happen if I did go on medication (Ive tried counselling years ago but did not really work)? Would I need to take time off and will I act really different on the drugs?

Nope and nope.

rox5 wrote: »

The thing is I don't plan on telling my family of any of this, because I partly blame them for my depression, they are very critical and it always felt that i cannot do anything right with them. I mean they complain that I dont talk enough, but then when I try to talk, they never are interested!

It is so frustating and stressful, especially when I am not doing well at something like exams, and all my mother did was yell at me over them, she never considered that I might have needed some sort of help, instead she just gets angry and yells.

So u can see why I don't want to tell the family.

Can't really advise on that one.

rox5 wrote: »

I am 20 now, and it has gotton to a point where I would have a drink to help with depression. Last night I was at a fashion show with my sister and aunt and of course my sister was ignoring me (even though she says I don't talk to her...kinda impossible when you do not seem interested in me) and I went over to get a drink of wine from the bar because I felt like I was going to cry and started gulping it down, even though i know ur only supposed to sip it.
I just don't want to end up an alcoholic as I have relatives who are alcoholics too.

Drink is definitely not the answer, although it is an easy and tempting escape. Get to a meeting and talk it through.

rox5 wrote: »

So is it possible to go on medication but not have to take time off college or work? I might be starting college next year, and I know my mam won't let me take a gap year.

Absolutely.

rox5 wrote: »

Or with the useless mental health help we have in this country, is it even worth my time? I hear of people being on waiting lists for ages to get the help they need.

Not sure about this, the psychotherapist I eventually went to was private, although the therapist my GP referred me to (free, I presume) would have been able to see me in 4-6 weeks IIRC.

Odysseus

Hi OP,

I think you will get more of a response if I moved this to Personal Issues, this provided the Mods there are happy with it.

However, the one thing I will say is the first step is to get yourself to your GP and you can take it form there.

Best of luck with it.

rox5

Odysseus wrote: »

Hi OP,

I think you will get more of a response if I moved this to Personal Issues, this provided the Mods there are happy with it.

However, the one thing I will say is the first step is to get yourself to your GP and you can take it form there.

Best of luck with it.

OK, thank you.

Morag

Start with going to your GP, they will advice you what will happen next.

They will decide what meds will be best for you there are a range of them and each of them have different possible side effects. Usually you will be given a low dose to see how you are on them and then they will be increased.

Yes you can start meds and not need to take time off work and/or college.

Taltos

OK OP - I am very sorry but we are going to go ahead and close this OP.
Per our charter and site FAQ we cannot offer medical advice or diagnoses - and that is what is really being looked for here.

Few things have led me to this.
1. You are looking for advice on how to deal with depression - this advice is best delivered by your GP
2. You have self diagnosed - ideally again this is best left to the professionals.

Please have a look at our charter, there are a few useful links there to different organisations, but it would be best for you to seek professional advice and diagnosis instead of asking us here, we are neither qualified or have the direct experience to really help.

Sorry
Taltos