Depressed and in need of help?

Question

i'm 16, and i have been diagnosed with depression for a year now. i was put into a mental hospital last year because i was thinking of suicide.

i have been on prozac and still on it. problem is, it's not helping now. i am more depressed than ever before almost. i am always sad and thinking things are my fault and worrying about EVERYTHING. i worry about everything that could go wrong, not the good things.

im afraid im going to think about suicide and things of that nature a lot again.

i dont want to go to a therapit really, how can i help myself?

Answer 1

ANTIDEPRESSENTS

Answer 2

Ask yourself: "Why do I feel depressed, and when did I first start to feel this way: can I associate this with any recent change in my life?" (if so, it is probably situational depression: counselling, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is indicated). Or, was it a more gradual thing, with no apparent cause? (nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, environmental toxicity, or reactions to some medications, etc., becomes more likely as the cause).

St. John's wort is effective for most people, tolerance doesn't develop, and the few side effects don't occur often, and even then are normally not severe.

It doesn't cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 - 6 weeks to become effective, but can work quicker. A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as Sertraline (marketed in the USA as Zoloft: a commonly prescribed antidepressant) in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation. Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John's wort (I have noticed no effect in this area).

Remember back to a time when life was full of promise, or a day when you felt particularly good, or possibly excited from a good result. Emotional states are associated with memories, and if it isn't major depression, this method can help.

A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not St. John's wort, because of interactions, and it's sensible to check out anything else first with your doctor.

(1.) Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it. Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; a deficiency in vitamin B9 (folic acid, or folate) is known to cause depression. Around 30% - 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels. Depressed females using the contraceptive pill may benefit from vitamin B6 supplements. ~~~ (2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes minutes of exercise, daily, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn't wanted when dealing with depression. ~~~ (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain).

(4.) Use daily, a relaxation method* and/or yoga*, and/or Tai Chi. ~~~ (5.) Initially, at least, some form of counselling, preferably either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy. ~~~ (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule. ~~~ (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, (the strength varies, but the supplier should be using a standardised hypericin content, so follow the directions) or supplements, such as SAMe, or Inositol (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets, or mail order: view section 55).

If 5HTP is used to boost serotonin levels, (which are low in depressed people) it is best taken with a high carbohydrate, minimal protein meal, like pasta with tomato & basil, and avoid protein for 90 minutes, before, and after, to maximise the amount crossing the blood/brain barrier.

Also, 80% of people in the Western world have low magnesium levels, and these are known to cause depression & anxiety. Try the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/ Some of these will be available in pharmacies, or supermarkets. Low levels of calcium, and potassium can also cause depression. Have your blood tested, and correct any deficiencies, preferably through improved nutrition.

An improvement can be noticed in as little as a week, if a deficiency is the cause. Also, iodised salt is much preferable to regular salt (one of the treatments in books on depression is iodine drops). Try to imagine, as vividly as possible, a time in the not too distant future, when you have overcome this temporary setback, and things are much better. *View section 2, on the first 3 pages, and also pages R, C, I, and section 11, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Worrying is addressed in section 6 (see page N first) and suicidal thoughts in section 5: contact the hotlines, and see page K, and the first page of section 13, on teen resources.  

Answer 3

You said your parents were hurt when you had to go to a Mental Health Clinic? I think that your parents would want you to tell them if your feelings were coming back again. Please tell your parents, just say something like this: "Mom/Dad, I dont think my meds are working any more..." I think that would be a good way to say it without making them get really, really worried. It could be that you need a med change or a bit higher dosage wich could be fixed in a 10 minute Dr. appointment.

Answer 4

It does happen that meds begin to not work, especially when your hormones as a teenager change.  They are everchanging at this point in your life.  You may also need something in addition to the Prozac.  Now is the time to make a call to the doctor and tell him that you are struggling again.  Surely he can call in something for you.  Don't wait until your next visit, unless it is in the next week.

Answer 5

Your parents would be a h**l of a lot more hurt and sad if you were gone.

I have felt the same way, and because i was scared i didn't get help until i was 29 years old. In my eyes you have already proved your self to be brave. I look up to you.

  

Answer 6

Hey there Kristina☺ I am so sorry your feeling the way u are and I will give u some advice that u already know is the right thing to do hun. U really need to tell your parents about what is going on with you they really do want to know and if something should ever happen to you (God Forbid) they would always feel responsible and wonder what it was they could have changed to make u have come and talk to them and so on and so.Honestly if u can't talk to your parents can u talk to your guidance counselor ? Don't give up hope yet there lots of help out there and it could be u just need your meds UPed and maybe changed and theres nothing wrong with that. So far u have a good response from meds right? Well hun that means you will have a another good response to another it's just finding the right one or maybe even tweaking the old one and adding an anti-anxiety med to it. I know it sux having this disorder and I have no doubt u wish u were a Normal teenager coz how could u not? If u ever want to chat feel free to e-mail me. I have lots of info I can share but not eough room to type it here lol Take care Kristina and please do what every parent wished their child had done before they did the most drastic thing!!!!  

Answer 7

obviously the prozac isnt working, you need something else , (lexipro,zoloft, paxil, wellbutrin, effexor, cimbalta, etc) the feelings of hopelessness and self worthlessness wont go away by themselves.  you need to go back to the therapist and get your meds readjusted.

you may only need to be on an additional med for anziety, such as buspar, zanax, klonopin,

if you like being happy, and you DONT LIKE being miserable, why wouldnt you go make yourself feel better???

edit....

what do you think would hurt mom n dad more? you going to them and telling them you want to see the dr again because your feeling down and its not going away?/ (btw, you dont have to go back in the hospital again unless you try to hurt yourself)

or option 2, you get to feeling so badly and you dont tell anyone, and then try to hurt yourself? what would hurt the old ones more???

just go to them and tell them you are feeling down again and its not going away, and you would like to go back to the dr to get more help before it gets any worse....

mom n dad will be so proud of you for being adult about it, recognizing a problem, and dealing with it by ASKING FOR HELP!!!!

Answer 8

your parents are there to help and are your support in life. it's good to look out for them but hiding this from them isn't going to make them feel better. if you're truly in need, your choice is to reach out to them or to open up to a counselor. i would stop taking the medicine if it isn't helping you, maybe wean yourself off (that's if your sure your on the best dose and taking it every day). stop blaming yourself and feeling guilty. everyone, including you, is responsible for their own emotional well-being. this includes your parents. that means you have to take the step to fix this. i read in a book, do something, anything. (healthy things obviously). try distractions and keep a journal of your sleep and food and water. anxiety can come from not getting enough sleep and if you need 9 or 10 hours, you need it...

Answer 9

Go talk to your doctor again. Get a different medication if your current one is not working. There is no point being miserable.