Depression, scared to seek help !?

Question

I have been depressed for a while now and i want to get help to get better but im scared that if i go to the doctors they will lock me up in a mental home.

It probably sounds silly i know , but im really worried about this.

Answer 1

Hi, you dont sound silly at all, its natural to be worried about seeking help for depression. You dont have anything to worry about though, lots of people go to their gp to seek help for depression and are managed at home through various things like medication or talking therapies, or a combination. Your gp will only consider referring you for an admission if he or she feels you are a real risk to yourself or others.

I've struggled with depression since I was a child but only recently seeked help. As soon as I did I wish I did it sooner and wondered what I was so worried about, I was lucky enough to see a GP who was really understanding and easy to talk to.  If you're not though, you can always ask to see another GP at the surgery.

Good luck, you deserve to get help to sort how you feel out properly.

Answer 2

ok the first step to getting better is admitting you are depressed it might not seem much at first but ive been depressed for 7 years and i was in the same situation i have 2 kids i was so scared id have them taken off me and i would be put away but honestly it's nothing atall like that gp's are there to help you and theres so much support out there its just finding the right things your gp will point you in the right direction whether its medication or councelling once you have been to see your gp your on the right road!!  

Answer 3

here are the situations in which folks are hospitalized:

1. they threaten or have harmed themselves or others.

2. There is difficulty in either diagnosis or treatment and the person is sent to a hospital to be observed regularly so the dr. can assess and treat properly.

You probably don't fit into either category. Also, there is more emphasis these days to try to get mental patients back into the community and functioning. Except in rare and extreme cases, the days of locking someone up for good are over.

First, go to a therapist for talk therapy. He/she will be able to determine if you should be evaluated by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will then determine if you need medication. Hospitalization is most unlikely.

Remember, the sooner you are treated, the more effective the treatment will be.

Answer 4

hey

the more you bug out the more damage you can cause. relax, many people are depressed or feel depressed, i felt depressed for a while until i figured there was nothing to be depressed about. many people have it worse, sounds stupid but dont let small things bother you. play some good music look at the sun shining and think of some good things instead of bad things. once i figured my depressed self was depressed for not 1 good reason, but i had a few great reason not to think depressed i felt better. not all people that are depressed go into mental homes. chances are your not depressed at all, just a bit down and holding it over by thinking about it all the time relax and do something you enjoy,worrying doesnt help at all

Answer 5

You really should go to your doctor. Nobody gets taken to the hospital unless they are a danger to themself or others.

Tell your doctor how you have been feeling. He or she can prescribe an antidepressant and can also recommend a counselor or therapist.

Whatever you do, if you are asked,"Will you contract with me for safety?" They mean,"Do you promise me that you won't harm yourself?" I ended up in a mental ward for 3 days observation because I said,"I guess so." instead of,"YES! OH,YES I DO!!"

My lack of enthusiasm ment that I didn't mean it. In reality I had already promised one doctor, one counselor, and my best friend that I wouldn't do it.

Stupid psychiatrist didn't ask for clarification, and stupid me never asked him what he meant.

Answer 6

it is extremely extremely unlikely for anyone to be locked up. they only do that if you are at serious risk of harming yourself or harming someone else.  From what you have said, you don't come under that category so you definitely won't.

Getting help is the first step on the right road to recovery. You have told all of us that you want help so I know you can do it.  Take a deep breath and go and get the help you need. You can do it.  Please don't worry about being locked up cos that won't happen.

Answer 7

OK my friend you feel the need for help , SO don'nt stop, go for it , as you can see from the answers you got, every one say you should, and you think so too, so please go for help and I will think and pray for you too.

Answer 8

No ones going to lock you up, why would they??!!!  Go and have a chat with your doc, theres nothing for you to worry about.

Answer 9

Get yourself to your gp initially, they will most likely refer you on to a clinic for mental health, there is nothing to worry about they only lock you up if you have been taking illegal drugs or tried to do yourself in.

I have been through it all believe me over the years, then last year i started seeing things, was very depressed, taking big doses 60mg valium plus just to get off to sleep, with extra when i woke in the night, then things came to a head and i took another overdose on purpose, ambulance took me to hospital and they asked would i stay, said ok but was terrified, they mucked about with my medication but ended up giving me a strong drug, let me home two weeks later.

I was still down and extremely confused when i came out hospital, then i moved into the country, i had to still take this medication and it does have bad side effects, but all of a sudden earlier this year i started getting up in the mornings singing and being happy, it took awhile till i realised i was not depressed any more, now i feel great in myself about everything, i enjoy living, i still have to take the strong pill but truly hope and pray at my november review they might decide to take me off them completely.

The final outcome for me is i'm decent again, i accept i'm g*y, i handle things in life by being positive, i'm not at all depressed, i sleep very well now, i try to stay out of trouble, i have grown up at last and love my new life, i never will return to my old lifestyle habits.

I wish you well friend, goodluck, please contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 10

The only way you will get locked up is if you are a threat to yourself or others.

Take the first step and see a therapist. There are wonderful new drugs for depression that have few if any side effects. You deserve to feel better.

Good luck to you.

Answer 11

I know exactly how you feel but dont worry they wont do that unless you go around trying to hurt people.Your brave you want help.They will make you feel better you can open up about anything even if it sounds silly it isnt because its bothering you.

Answer 12

I was depressed for a while and it pretty much showed but i got counseling and if you go to a counselor they most likely won't lock you up in a mental home.... they might suggest medication but if you don't want it then just say no. That's what I did and no one forced me to do anything I didn't want. Don't be afraid to get help the littlest things like getting therapy do help.

Answer 13

I know it would be so easy to say get help but I know just how difficult it is.  

I felt the same as you I was depressed after the death of my husband and I was so afraid that if I admitted to feeling that way my son would be taken away.

I delt with it all on my own over the last 2years and am doing alot better although I still have some feelings.

Just find the root of your depression (eg mine was my husbands sudden death) and deal with it in your own way dont ignore anything and deal with things face on.  Also dont lock yourself away in your own world keep active and go out to lift your spirits

Try and find some local support groups if possible too.