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Depression- I need to know
I've battled with severe and not so severe streaks of depression for what's going on to be 5 years. It started as small dips of sadness for no apparent reason, then when I found reasons- that's when the suicidal thoughts came. I haven't always been suicidal when I was depressed, it only appened about three times, and eventually I was able to stop thinking suicidal thoughts completely. Last year was my severest case of depression ever. I got addicted to pills, I was closed off, it basically was ruining my life and my relationships with family, friends, boyfriend. But I worked through it. It took a while, but I got alot better. I was truly happy for the first time in my life. But then I ended a serious relationship, I moved away from my closest friends, and basically the perfect catalysts needed to trip off my depression went into action. I need to know if what I have is deeper than just emotional, if the chemicals in my brain aren't normal. Should I seek medical attention?
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I got to this question through your newest one, so I'll try my best to get both birds with one stone.
I'll let you know ahead of time that I have first-hand experience in this. I've just recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder after being misdiagnosed as having depression while in my teens.
First off, you do need to see a counselor at a minimum. A counselor can do many things for you:
- They can put you in contact with a psychiatrist if you do require medication.
- They can help you to deal with emergencies that may arise.
- They can help you recognize warning signs in yourself (things like alterations in sleeping patterns... stuff you wouldn't think of)
- They help you talk out your issues with a mature, unbiased perspective... not to mention that they are totally confidential. Nothing you say can get to your friends or family unless you want it to.
- They can help you to develop coping skills that prevent those dips from becoming too severe and unmanageable.
- They can help both you and your family learn to cope with your situation.
A stranger on the internet cannot diagnose you. A website cannot diagnose you. Only a mental health (or several!) can diagnose you. You most certainly should not self-medicate. Anti-depressants can cause nasty side effects (one big one is increased risk of suicide) and their use should be carefully monitored.
If you do go to a psychiatrist, they will work closely with you to find a medication regimen that works for you. Things like dosage increases, combining medications, dealing with side effects. You most certainly can get prescriptions underage without parental permission. That's only one part of the battle, though, as I can tell you first-hand.
It's all about tackling the issue from all sides. Medications do not by any means make things all better. What they do is act as a tool to get you back where you belong chemically, so that emotionally you can manage yourself.
So yes, you do need counselling. It's not a sign of weakness; rather, it's a sign of strength. Strength is being able to ask for help when you need it.
You can have these resources at your disposal... why struggle when you can use them? Your community may have a mental health clinic; you can contact your family doctor or your high school counselor to have them recommend a clinic.
In the meantime, develop a hobby. Several, if you need to. I took up crocheting like a fiend. Sports. Reading. Video games. Just pour yourself into it.
Try to avoid situations that make your emotional state worse. If a particular person upsets you, stay away from them.
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Yes you do need to seek medical attention hun. Anybody who suffers depression like you do should see a doctor, they can help you and give you medication or other forms of help which will make you feel so much better
xo
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Yes i do think you should seek medical attention getting addicted to pills and possiblity overdosing and being sucidal isn't healthy it's very serious you want to live your life happy and not constantly be miserable you can't help yourself so let doctors who are licensed and know what they are doing help you yes i think that what's happening to you is deeper then emotional if you get some help you'll probably start to feel better(:
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