ppl with depression...?

Question

hi,
i am going to a conselor that says i have ptsd. post tramua stress desorider i have had depression alot in my life. because of things that had happened to me. so i have depression on top of depression. because i never took care of it. my question is do you feel like your in the dark and nothing is going to get better? at times i do. i am 23 years old. please help me figure this out. when i tell my concelor she says its normal. and if you can can you tell me about your experience with your depression???

Answer 1

I have suffered with depression on and off since I was a teenager(i'm now 25) so I know exactly what the black hole can be like. When I was at my worst it felt like there was no way out and I couldn't imagine things ever getting better. It felt like I was buried inside myself and couldn't being my real self back to the surface. The good news is that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how unlikely it seems at the time. Tell this to yourself over and over, even if you find it hard to believe it. Just saying it really will help you. Whatever it is you are recovering from needs to be addressed. This is the only way you are going to be able to move on for good, so stick with your counsellor. I find it helps me a lot to write things down as well. It helps my brain make sense of all the worries I have. Finally, as hard as it can be, sometimes the smallest steps are the ones that help you out of that darkness. Do something EVERY day that will bring you a little bit of joy, like listening to uplifting music, or watching a funny show. Those few moments when you are smiling helps your brain to recognise fun and to seek out more. I know how hard depression can be to get out of, but you really will feel better one day, just keep that thought in mind. I wish you all the best and hope that you find that light sooner rather than later.

Answer 2

I have been diagnosed with a few things, including severe depression. When I'm in my "down times" it gets really bad. Nothing and no one can make me happy, in fact everything does the opposite. The only advice I can give you, on things that help, would be to talk to your doc about getting put on an anti-depressant. But be patient, not every kind works for everyone. It might take some trial-and-error. Sometimes people just need a little help and that's ok. I hope you feel better.

Answer 3

i had ptsd after i got back from Iraq then i got depression after i divorced my wife (she shattered my self-esteem and left me feeling insignificant). The way I got better was by getting into a great positive relationship. This women reversed everything my ex made me think about my self. I also got into a new circle of friends, all these guys are supportive and up lifting. I also talked allot to family and friends, this helped a great deal. i still get depressed once in a while and get one or two flashbacks but nothing serious. By talking to someone it sounds like your on the right track, with time you'll feel great about your self. With time I start thinking about all of my accomplishments instead of my mistakes (which have been allot), I started loving life and my self again, and i just can't help to think of how much of a stronger person i have became because of every thing I've been through in my short life (I'm 22).

Good luck!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

It's normal for people who feel depressed to be in the dark as if nothing will be better. I've been depressed for a while. It's because of the way my family treat me.....as if I could never stand up for myself. Sometimes I sleep through depression....just keep sleeping to avoid thinking about the situation....I've thought about suiciding but then I think about the friends I have that are there for me and support me from the beginning.... My family verbally abuse me...some may say that I'm too serious about what they say, but if you come to think of it who's words are more serious, outsiders or your family.....I tried not to think about it. I had the worst experience while still in high school back a year ago...because it really affect my grades especially when I'm about to graduate. My own solution was finding a part time job working until 7pm then go home a bit late.....worked on the weekend to avoid seeing my family.....then I looked forward to this day where I go away for college....to avoid the conflicts......You can say I'm just running away from the problems instead of resolving it......but if they're going to cause me to be depressed then I rather get away from them....

I'm still fighting to stay strong, living for myself and my friends. Trying to avoid my family as much as possible. Just trying to tolerate everything...there've been times when they push me too far that I really thought about ending my life.....but I am always reminded of those great friends I have that are there for me whenever I needed..

Answer 5

I also have PTSD and 3 other issues.
Years of abuse caused them. I was an adult before I had the first sign of a problem. Over the years it's gotten worse but with the help of my Dr & therapist and meds I've got it under control. You just need to find the combo of meds that work for you. Remember after about 6 months your body gets used to the med and you will have to change the dosage or the pill altogether.

Good luck

Answer 6

My advice would to be on an anti-depressant. I have battled depression for over 2 years now, and the only time I don't feel depressed is when I am on medication. My doctor prescribed Zoloft, and once I am on it for a few weeks, I feel a lot better. Talking to a counselor also helps tremendously.

Answer 7

You probably inherited a gene for depression since you have had it a lot, and you are quite young..... A family member of mine got his from his mother. Of her three siblings,(his aunts and uncles) only one did not have the disorder. Treating depression requires medication. Treating inherited depression requires medication, monitoring, and skill.... And one med that works for someone, won't necessarily work for another. These are called seratonin uptake inhibitors. You need to be under the care of an MD who is familiar with the treatment of depression. Sometimes it require a "cocktail" to get your depression under control. My family member was switched several times -- Welbutrin would work for awhile, then fade, Deseryl, Zoloft, you name it, he had been on it. One thing for sure --- none of them worked when he tried to bury his depression in alcohol..... the depression only became worse. This person had been depressed since childhood. There was no day that he was not taking medication for his depression beginning at age 18. Without the drug, he could barely function: on the drug or drugs, he led an almost normal life, married, and had a hugely satisfying job, and was extremely, extremely successful, and had months to years on end of no depression. Tell your counselor that depression is NOT normal, to feel depressed is unacceptable, and get yourself into the hands of a skilled MD, who is willing to work with you to control your depression. Life is "way mo betta" without the cloud of depression.... Undersand that the condition is not curable -- that it is always there, just like diabetes. Counseling can help you understand your thoughts, but will not cure your depression.... It is a chemical imbalance in your brain, just as diabetes is a chemical imbalance in your pancrease.You may outgrow it somewhat with age, but it will always be "back there". Learn to recognize it, even as you are on medication, and see your physician regularly if you notice a change in your outlook. Your medication may need to be switched, increased, decreased, or something may be need in addition. Good luck, sweetie

Answer 8

THE TRUTH
The is depression and there is deep painfull depression. Therea re those who respond to medication and those who finf it hard to find the right med. It only gets worse with age. Things you patch patially open up one day. Deal with it fully, dont just stop when you feel better. Thisis from real people experience.

Answer 9

I've had depression all my life too...it's the worse feeling anyone can exiperience....I cry for no reason,I think about suicide alot,but won't go through with it cuz of my kids, I can not sleep, gained alot of weight, feel sad all the time,hurt all the time.thats just a few of the symtoms........

Answer 10

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/living/survivor_stories.htm