what to do about serious depression and wanting to be dead but not having enough guts to kill yourself?

Question

I'm 56 and have worked all my life - last 20 years for the federal gov. I reached a point that I could no longer do my job due to depression. I've been out of work since Feb. and can no longer make any house or utility payments which is making me even more depressed. I'mm applying for jobs, but not having luck yet - probably mostly due to my depression

Answer 1

You need professional help. Go to the nearest county hospital and explain what is going on. You can't afford to pay, but they can't afford to let you commit suicide and you will win out. I have been there, I know first hand. I ended up homeless and in the hospital, but I got better and I got out. I started seeing a country psychiatrist that charges on a sliding scale. I only got to talk with him a little, but I got the medications he provided and they put me into group therapy session. That's the way modern psychiatry is handled now days. I was admitted after a failed suicide attempt, but you are so close as to be the same as I was.

The road back from a depression drop is a tough one, but it can be done. I have done it and I am still fighting depression today. I have the help of medications and disability payments, but getting there was tough. Sometimes you have to fall, and fall hard before people are willing to help you—especially the Federal Government.

My condition, Fibromyalgia includes cycles of chronic pain, depression, insomnia and so on. I have had this problem since October 1989, and I have been hospitalized three times in the course of my disease, so I do know what I am talking about.

Medication won’t cure you; it will only make things a little better over a period of time. They help to even out the low points, and take a while to work. Antidepressants work by increasing or decreasing the amount of a certain neurotransmitter in your body and brain. They do this by changing the uptake. The changed levels affect your brain chemistry and can improve your situation. However, there are several neurotransmitters and you may need more or less. So the first medication you are prescribed my not work, nor the second. If you hang in there though, and tell the doctors what is going on then eventually you will get a helpful one or combination. The problem is the psychiatrists have only a vague idea of what is going on inside your head. You have to tell them, and you need to take an active role in your treatment. If a medication isn’t working or if it is giving you problems then you need to tell them. You can switch to another drug or take others to help with the side effects. Luckily there are a lot of medications that can handle your problem. In my case it was my Serotonin balances that needed to be adjusted and I have been through several medications to try and reach a balance. I still suffer from the depression and it is a daily struggle.

You need to work to get better and it can be a hard road to do that, but the work itself isn’t that hard. It’s the admitting and the doing that are hard. As you know depression makes you want to lock yourself up in your room and stay there. You have to find a better way, and you can’t do it alone.

Before you go into the hospital contact your creditors and tell them what is happening. You won’t want to do it, but you will have to. Try to get time to make your payments. Most corporations have some sort of policy to help with people who are having trouble. Right now they just think you are a deadbeat. If you contact them and tell them that you are going into the hospital then they might give you a little leeway. Corporations don’t have a heart, but some of the people in them do.

If you don’t have any income then you may qualify for low-income support. You may also be able to apply to your state for assistance, but before you can get that support you will have to go into the hospital.

Once you find out what causes your depression then you are better able to fight it. Depression can be caused by many things, but the key to getting better is to realize that it is NOT YOUR FAULT. If you need more or less of a neurotransmitter then you have a problem, but it is no more your fault than it is the fault of a short person who suffers a thyroid deficiency.

If you need to talk with me more then you can write me through my contact info.

Answer 2

Several things you can do:

1) first, start eating right! Lots of fruit and veg, avoid junk food
2) get some exercise! Even if it is some good brisk walks.
3) get some sunshine!
4) see a physician. Anti-depressants can help.
5) the minereal selenium has some benefit for treating depression
6) go to the library, rent a book called You Cannot Die! by Ian Currie. If its not there, get it thru inter-library loans, or buy it off Amazon. If you are unfamiliar with the material covered, it will blow you away and change the way you think about life. I have done extensive research in the topics covered, and I can tell you that Currie's book only scratches the surface of the available evidence.
7) get Dale Carnegie's book How to stop Worrying. It will show you that you can improve your mood just by acting happy! Try it. Try smiling, being pleasant, whistling a tune. As you act, so your feelings will follow.

Good luck with everything!

Answer 3

Hi Thomas,

Firstly, thanks for being so brave enough to come and ask about this. I myself have suffered from depression most of my life, and have suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. I too thought I didn't have enough guts to do anything about it, then I got so bad I attempted it. What happened was, that I had to be under the local mental health clinic- they gave me medication, and psychotherapy. This has helped me. You need to t ake yourself along to the local mental health clinic and be blunt- just say it:"if you don't help me I am going to kill myself".

I don't know where you are from, but in the UK we offer alot of help. If you have left work because of illness, get straight to the doctors, and have them sign you off. You wil then be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. Also, try to claim Income Support and disability living allowance. If you have someone who cares for you over 35 hours a week- they can claim carers benefit.

Secondly- if your home is rented- you can claim housing benefit from the council, you can also have council tax relief. Inform the utility bills people that you are having problems and work out a payment structure. Be adamanet with them about how much you can afford- and stick to that. Don't make promises about money you cannot afford. If you have credit cards or loans that are unsecured- don't worry about them. They are NON PRIORITY bills, even if they threaten you with prison that is a lie. As long as you pay something, anything, even £1 a week- they cannot do anything. Do not let them bully you. Even if they say they won' accept it, just keep sending the £1.

Please look after yourself. I know this must have been so hard for you. The world looks dark, but there is a light. If you need to talk in anyway- feel free to message me.

Answer 4

it's a horrible cliche but time does cure most things and eventually this depression will pass. there really are people who will be upset if you take this path. on the whole life is still better than being asleep for eternity and try to remember all the things you have enjoyed, and will enjoy again, in your life so far. please call the samaritans if you want to talk about it and get the courage to tell your doctor - i did both of those things when i felt as you do and i was helped. don't do it, this world is still a great place to live in. look after your self.
with love.

Answer 5

A good medicine for depression is helping others...
That way you`ll see there are other people suffering too and you will feel useful helping them.
You can start a bussiness yourself, don`t need to be just an employee the rest of your life.
You are still young, you have a lot to do...you can still give a lot, but it all depends on your attitude. Hard times let us see we can do more than that we thought we could.

Answer 6

I am 26 years old and can understand where you are coming from but I have a 5 year old and a 9 year old to take care of. Praying to God, staying focused on postivie things and of course being around family help out alot. If I did not have my parents to help me I don't know what the world would be like for me. Faith in God, knowing that he wants nothing but the best for you and me, helps out alot too. Just keep the faith.

Answer 7

These vitamins can be very beneficial for people suffering from depression.


Vitamin B1 (thiamine):

Vitamin B3 (niacin):

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):

Vitamin B12:

Folic acid:

Vitamin C:

Read at http://theaones.com/blog/?p=109... for a full explanation how & why these vitamins are helpful for depression

Answer 8

mouth off on yahoo 4 relief. cant get no happy pills? try accidentally hitting ur thumb with a hammer & have ur thumb by ur testicles so when u reflex ur thumb out of the way ....oops! , it'll make u forget all 4 a while.

Answer 9

You need to go see a doctor and get on some kind of meds ASAP. Maybe even talk to a therapist, it couldnt hurt. Good luck.

Answer 10

Get a medical check-up.
Be honest with your doc.
Get on a good diet and vitamin suppliment.
I know this, I have suffered with depression.
When I stay on a steady regimine, I do fine.
When I get off of it, I begin to feel bad again.

Also, talk to your pastor!