Am I depressed? HELP

dodreamscometrue · 05-28-2009, 01:15 AM

I just really need some advice- I think I am very very depressed but I think I am in denial because I am scared. I never wanted to ever have to be on depression medication because I feel like it will cover who I really am--

My Mom has been very ill since January. she has stomach cancer and its hard seeing her this sick. I am an only child and live with her and my father and its been so rough.

I recently lost my job....... I can collect unemployment but it still made me feel like crap..

I am drained lately. I even feel like everything hurts and I dont want to do anything but sleep. I just feel bad about everythiing please give advice!

rachlan · 05-28-2009, 01:25 AM

Just because you are depressed doesnt mean that you have to take medication for it. I would get in contact with a counsling center and start by talking with a counselor. Sometimes, that alone will help. Unless, there is another underlying problem. HTH!!!

thebluefox22 · 06-02-2009, 11:21 AM

I agree being depressed does not mean having to take medication. Plus with what you are going through with your Mom, please understand that depression is a normal part of the process of bereavement. Even though your mother has not passed yet, I assume that watching her go through this illness has made you think about the possibility of when she might pass. Feeling depressed is just a normal part of that. It sounds like you are going through so many changes at this time that it would be helpful for you to see a counselor of some sort. You don't have to go just because you are "depressed," but also because you are coping with the loss of your job and your mother's illness. Neither of these things are easy to go through and I wish you luck. Take care and keep us posted.

PBLayzod · 06-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Depression doesn't equal medication. I will say, though, that medication was a great thing for me. I finally felt like I had perspective. It did not change who I was, but it did improve the quality of my life. Also, you are in exactly the sort of situation that would benefit from counseling. Some agencies like Catholic Social Services provide secular counseling on a sliding fee scale.

finallymrsvb · 06-08-2009, 02:46 AM

i am so sorry to hear about your situation. i know that the most helpful thing for my depression/anxiety has been seeing a therapist. it's well worth the time and hard work. i hope you can find someone to help you get through this tough time.

kristen09 · 06-19-2009, 06:03 PM

People react differently to medication. I found out that it wasn't great for me. I've tried so many meds I lost track. Some had no effect at all, some made me out of it (like nearly falling asleep at the wheel, when I'd never in my life done that before, and I was not going through insomnia at that time, or like when I was out of it a bit and hit a car in the parking lot when I was trying to park). Then I got suicidal and that was the last straw, I weaned off of that and have not been on meds since--4 years now. I think what has helped me the most is 1)finally developing very close friendships and having people to talk to and confide in, and 2)therapy. My therapist has me taking something called 5-htp, which is a natural substance that some of us are lacking, and it helps with mood and with being able to take hardships better. I now have it in spray form (got that from my endo), and I think he's right, it does work better than the pills I was taking before. And an added bonus: it can help you sleep at night but is not a medication and you don't get addicted.

Bethann · 06-25-2009, 09:51 AM

Ask your mom's doctor, or ask for a social worker if she's in the hospital, or call around for local church's and see if you can find a support group for people in your situation--you probably can and these can help a lot.

Situational depression usually doesn't require medication, and you can certainly give counseling a real try before you decide whether you might need and be willing to try medication. Don't let fears about being medicated keep you from seeking help--ultimately it will be your choice whether you pursue that option, and you might not even need to consider it.

KatCarney · 06-25-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bethann

Ask your mom's doctor, or ask for a social worker if she's in the hospital, or call around for local church's and see if you can find a support group for people in your situation--you probably can and these can help a lot.

Situational depression usually doesn't require medication, and you can certainly give counseling a real try before you decide whether you might need and be willing to try medication. Don't let fears about being medicated keep you from seeking help--ultimately it will be your choice whether you pursue that option, and you might not even need to consider it.

This is EXCELLENT advice.

Sometimes just having someone outside of your 'life' validate how you're feeling can help tremendously.

A counselor or support group may also be able to offer some suggestions for non-Rx med things to help alleviate the stress you're feeling (ie biofeedback, exercise, etc)