Depression at 16

Wisteria

Hey guys. Well I'm only 16 and I'm considering councelling as I am am suffering from some form of depression. My health has not been too good lately and I am going into hospital tomorrow for a couple of days to undergo treatment for a chest infection. Anyway my current state of health has got me all into a panic, so I am on the look out for someone to talk to. Does anybody know if Aware or The Samaritans are any good?

Zombienosh

Go and talk to your GP, He'll be able to help you.

leeroybrown

All the phone services have staff trained to be a welcoming and open person to discuss things with. A sizable portion of the calls they recieve are just people who want someone they can feel comfortable discussing things with.

LegacyUser

http://www.aware.ie

I would recommend ringing their helpline or going to one of the meetings!

Wisteria

Yes I have considered going to my GP and looking for Anti-Depressants as I hear they work wonders? , but he would probably just refer me to a councellor. Btw hes past 65 so hes not really with the times these days

Chucky

Don't feel ashamed about feeling like this, if you are. I found visits to a counsellor the best thing. I was seeing the counsellor in college once a week for a few months but then I left college and couldn't see her anymore.

Since then I have found it very hard to cope with my own depression. I did not really like the Samaritans option because It just felt like I was telling the same story all over again. They would ask the same questions as all the other psychiatrists, psychologists, GPs, and counsellors that I have been to.

Be prepared to meet some advisors that just won't really care. My psychiatrist only spends 10 minutes with me each visit. That makes me angrier. You need an hour to talk to someone who cares each week.

PM me please if you want. We can do whatever you want...I just want to help you. Don't feel bad about what you have at all.

Chucky

Wisteria wrote:

Yes I have considered going to my GP and looking for Anti-Depressants as I hear they work wonders? , but he would probably just refer me to a councellor. Btw hes past 65 so hes not really with the times these days

Hmm...I admit, anti-depressants can be good at first. If a person is on them too long though (4 months? Too long...?) they just will not have the same affect as they used to. They just relax the body basically and make you feel, well, relaxed and tired.


I dont' think it's a science that is fully reasearched yet. But prove me wrong people...

Victor

Sounds like a lot on your shoulders. You might need to realise that your fears are probably your worst fears and not necessarily a reliable expectation.

It's quite possible "they" are are all ganging up on you at the moment. Its not a nice feeling and will take time to get over.

Your school may have a counsellor. If you want you could also try Childline.

Medication isn't the eb all and end all, but can provide a useful relief.

Do mention to the admissions nurse/doctor that you are depressed?

Do talk to us or PM in private.

Uthur

Chucky wrote:

Hmm...I admit, anti-depressants can be good at first. If a person is on them too long though (4 months? Too long...?) they just will not have the same affect as they used to. They just relax the body basically and make you feel, well, relaxed and tired.

I dont' think it's a science that is fully reasearched yet. But prove me wrong people...

No you have this wrong - lot's of people take antidepressants for
years - even decades - and they continue to work ok. Some people find
that some SSRI meds can 'poop out' after a while - but then you just
switch to a different one.

Antidepressants aren't primarily for relaxing the body - that's the job of
an anxiolotic. For depressive patients their primary purpose is to relieve
depression and improve mood!

Wisteria, I highly recommend counselling/therapy if you are feeling down.
You may not need drugs at all if your depression is mild - I'd try counselling
first - drugs later. I wish you the best of luck!!

nesf

Chucky wrote:

Hmm...I admit, anti-depressants can be good at first. If a person is on them too long though (4 months? Too long...?) they just will not have the same affect as they used to. They just relax the body basically and make you feel, well, relaxed and tired.


I dont' think it's a science that is fully reasearched yet. But prove me wrong people...

No. The above post is good, but please do some research on it. You will be pleasantly suprised.

To the original poster.

I empathise my friend, I was first diagnosed at 16 too. I'm turning 24 this year and 6 years on I've been dealing with depression nearly constantly. Alot of the reason for this was because I didn't receive the help I needed when I was younger. My advice to you is:

1) Medication isn't always the best option when your that young, your body is changing very rapidly and it's very hard to assertain whether it's your body or your drugs that are causing strange effects or improvements.

If you GP does want to prescribe you meds, ask for him to refer you to a psychiatrist first. IF you are going to try medication you might aswell be supervised by someone specifically trained to do that and not by your GP. No disrespect to GP's but they sometimes prescribe drugs in situations that don't need them and your are 10 times better off in my experience having a specialist for this purpose. If you can afford it go private, but if you can't it's not a huge problem, it's just easier to have a more active part of your treatment when you are paying for it, people listen to you more then in my experience.

2) "Talking Therapies" are fantastic. In fact for mild depression it is medical standard to not prescribe drugs and to only use talking therapies. If you like 70% of depression suffers have mild depression then a few months of therapy could have you over it in no time at all. It's also really nice to have someone to talk to confidentially about things, it can really help relieve the stress and pressure. When you go to your GP ask him to refer you to a good therapist in your area. Again this can cost you money, but I didn't notice as big a difference between public and private here, so it's a matter of personal choice really.

3) AWARE are good, I've no experience with the Samaritans. Go to their website and make use of the information there.

4) Talk to your parents about it. Believe me this isn't the easiest thing to do but you are better off including them in your treatment rather than the pharmacist casually asking your mother how you are bearing up on your anti-depressants and her not having a clue about what he's talking about. This actually happened to me, so take my word for it, it's a hell of a lot easier to deal with it up front and not suprise them with it. If there's a family history of depression then start chatting to one of them about that, and ask questions, when they notice your interest and ask you why you are so interested just say that you haven't been feeling too good lately and was curious about depression and what it's all about.

If you can pretend like you don't know alot and leave them help you find information online about it and let them learn about it too before you go to get diagnosed. It might be a false alarm and you might be ok and not have it, but it'll make things alot easier to deal with if they think they are involved.

On the otherhand if you have parents like mine who literally took the drugs off me and cancelled my appointments with my psychiatrist, well then you might be better off doing it alone. It's hard. But sometimes it's the only way.

There are some links in my sig that might be of interest to you, and keep us posted about it. If you ever feel the need to chat to someone who knows what it's like feel free to PM me, I have alot of time for anyone suffering from depression, especially when it hits at such a young age.

Best of luck, and take care of your self

Uthur

I'm turning 24 this year and 6 years on I've been dealing with depression nearly constantly. Alot of the reason for this was because I didn't receive the help I needed when I was younger

Hi Nesf. I'm really sorry to hear about that. My sister went through the
same thing from age 17. She is 28 now and doing pretty well. I hope
you have made progress with your treatment.

If you GP does want to prescribe you meds, ask for him to refer you to a psychiatrist first. IF you are going to try medication you might aswell be supervised by someone specifically trained to do that and not by your GP. No disrespect to GP's but they sometimes prescribe drugs in situations that don't need them and your are 10 times better off in my experience having a specialist for this purpose

I wholeheartedly agree!!! I've had panic disorder for 4 years. I allowed my GP
to treat me for a year and it was a 100% WASTE OF TIME. I've made 10
times as much progress with my psychiatrist in the last 6 months.

"Talking Therapies" are fantastic. In fact for mild depression it is medical standard to not prescribe drugs and to only use talking therapies. If you like 70% of depression suffers have mild depression then a few months of therapy could have you over it in no time at all

I agree again. I had counselling in college for depression and it may very
well have saved my life. Actually, I wouldn't mind getting into therapy again
some time soon

On the otherhand if you have parents like mine who literally took the drugs off me and cancelled my appointments with my psychiatrist, well then you might be better off doing it alone. It's hard. But sometimes it's the only way.

Obviously I have no right to criticise your parents - but if you'll forgive me,
they sound like muppets.

nesf

Uthur wrote:

Obviously I have no right to criticise your parents - but if you'll forgive me, they sound like muppets.

They were acting in what they considered to be my best interests at the time. I eventually got the help I needed and now can say that I'm doing very well. But yeah, not exactly their finest hour. But it could have been alot worse so I don't hold a grudge.

Esel

Wisteria,

Hope things are going OK in hospital (and hope you can read this there!)

All hospitals have a psychiatric registrar AFAIK. If you see this post in time, consider asking to speak to them during your stay in hospital. They should be able to give you some good advice. Or even speak to one of the regular doctors.

Either way, do seek help. Your own GP (even though 65) might surprise you!

crazy angel

steer away from the anti depressants if at all possible, good luck love!!

WhiteWashMan

dont put it off.
just call

Chucky

He can't reply as he is in hospital at the moment. For me, some good advice from a councellor was the best.

I couldn't talk to my parents about it because they were too worried and anything I did that was different they would hound me about it.

I'm not sure if telling your parents everything is a good idea unless it gets too serious. What do ye think (sorry if any of ye ARE parents)?

Uthur

No need to involve the parents if they might take it badly somehow -
everyone 's parents are different of course.

My folks were happy I sought counselling when I was 17 - they knew I
was miserable.

There are lots of places to get free counselling - you can find them online
as well as through Aware/Samaritans etc.

They will be confidential and won't tell your parents.

milagro

Tell your parents, from personal experience, not telling them only adds more pressure, trying to cope and hide it from them at the same time.

Chucky

Telling my parents ruined everything for me. Clearly the issue of 'whether or not to tell the parents' is different for everyone...

...Perhaps it might be best to move out for those younger people who are depressed and have left school?

I have known many people who would claim to have been depressed when they were younger. When they moved out they claim that their lives changed for the better - They all said (independently) that it was the best decision they had ever made.

Providing the person is not bi-polar but is depressed due to certain circumstances, I feel that moving out would be good.

Any thoughts?

Nightwish

i have been suffering with depression since i was 12.only in the last few years did I realise how long it had been eating me up inside. i found some doctors nice and understanding, others patronising, and all were too keen on giving me anti-depressants.i took prozac for a few years and its helps with day to day stuff but it doesnt make it go away.i have issues with counsellors, i believe they are just a very expensive shoulder to cry on.i dunno...im still confused and still not better, but getting there.
all i can say is inform yourself of everything about depression-its symptoms, therapies, etc, and then try make an informed choice.PM me if u want, i see there are other people here that understand, that alone should pick u up a little

Victor

Nightwish wrote:

i have issues with counsellors, i believe they are just a very expensive shoulder to cry on.

It just shows how much mothers are underpaid

Floopy

I can tell you that anti depressants combined with counselling will change your life and free you from the awful gloom and despair of depression, put your faith in modern medicine and after a month or so youll be feeling so much better and able to practically tackle your issues but you just need that extra chemical in your brain to kick start you, you may only need to be on them for a short while. Id be surprised if your doctor didnt recommend them as unfortunately depression is so common now and the meds can do wonders, you'll be ok, this is totally curable!

nesf

Floopy wrote:

I can tell you that anti depressants combined with counselling will change your life and free you from the awful gloom and despair of depression, put your faith in modern medicine and after a month or so youll be feeling so much better and able to practically tackle your issues but you just need that extra chemical in your brain to kick start you, you may only need to be on them for a short while. Id be surprised if your doctor didnt recommend them as unfortunately depression is so common now and the meds can do wonders, you'll be ok, this is totally curable!

Um no.

Antidepresssnts are effective for 40% of people with major depression. Around 65% of people with major depression will show some reaction to them. The placebo rate for said people is around 20%.

For mild depression, the effectiveness is 70% but the placebo rate is 55% so thusly why they don't prescribe antidepressants to people with mild depression as a first line treatment. Councilling is as if not more effective than it in this case.

Depression is not curable!! Anti-depressents can alieviate symptoms on a temporary basis, and that is it. For mild depressives one episode might be it, so it might appear to be a cure. For people with major depression, the outlook isn't so rosy.

All figures come from the US Surgeon General's Report on Mental Illness btw.

Victor

nesf wrote:

Depression is not curable!!

It is treatable though! And for many people is non-recurring. Don't make it sound that bad.

Nightwish

Floopy wrote:

I can tell you that anti depressants combined with counselling will change your life and free you from the awful gloom and despair of depression, put your faith in modern medicine and after a month or so youll be feeling so much better and able to practically tackle your issues but you just need that extra chemical in your brain to kick start you, you may only need to be on them for a short while. Id be surprised if your doctor didnt recommend them as unfortunately depression is so common now and the meds can do wonders, you'll be ok, this is totally curable!

i was on prozac and it wasnt great. i know i mentioned before i didnt like counselling, but the pills are not the answer.they only work sometimes and can sometimes have the opposite effect than that intended

nesf

Victor wrote:

It is treatable though! And for many people is non-recurring. Don't make it sound that bad.

It's not always treatable. But yes I do take the point.

Sorry, I get a bit pissed with people attitude of depression being a minor ailment.

Plus for major depression, the relapse rate is over 9 in 10. I don't have figures for mild depression.