How can I get over my depression?

Question

I was diagnosed with depression few months ago. last month I tried committing suicide. I dont wanna feel this way but I can't help it. I've tried everything from meds, counseling, joining a fraternity at my school, working out, having lots of sex, going to church, and yet it all doesnt seem to help. What is wrong with me? can someone really help? Its unbearable. I dont know if I can take it any longer.

When I tried to committ suicide I was Baker acted to a psychiatrict hospital for 72 hours. I have been on meds for about 2 months. I have tried everything. Talking to family, friends, been with 3 different counselors and 4 different doctors. I dont wanna change again because its tiring having to explain everything again to a new person. I've tried to pinpoint what the problem is but nowadays everything seems to be a problem. From getting up in the morning to eating. I was molested once when I was 12 by a man but even letting counselors and family know that doesn't make me feel any better. Its not one problem, its my whole life that gets me down. I acknoledge I have a good life and there are many people that might envy it, but material things, all the friends in the world and a loving mother just can't help me. College isn't helping either but I have to finish my obligations. I just want to be the smart happy go-lucky guy I was two years ago. where did that guy go?

Answer 1

In the majority of cases depression doesnt just happen, its usually something that has happened or is happening in your life that has caused you to feel this way. The stuff you said you are doing is great, you are getting out there you are trying to get on with your life, but it is not working....so that obviously isnt the answer to what is really bothering you?

You said you tried counselling, I am wondering for how long and did anything come out of your sessions with the counsellor?

Something major in your life has happened that you are not telling, or else your depression is caused by something physical. Maybe you need to be re-assessed, maybe the medication you were prescribed didnt do its job....well its obvious it didnt. Just because one drug didnt work doesnt mean to say another one wont. Your best option is to go and get re-assessed by a Psychiatrist. When you tried to commit suicide were you taken to a psychiatric hospital? because I would think they would have done something about your problem then.

Its very hard to help when we dont know the problem....or is it a mass of problems? Maybe the only thing you havent done is to sit down and start to concentrate on what you think the problems could be. If your mind is such a mess that you dont know what the problem is then you really need to find another counsellor. There are good counsellors there are bad ones, maybe the one you tried wasnt a good one. Try again, dont give up...shop around until you can find a counsellor you feel will be able to help you. You will know probably just by talking to them on the phone...If a person sounds nice, then all liklihood they are. Ring a crisis line, do anything you can to work out what your problem really is. What has happened to you that is so dreadful you cant tell anyone? Once you can tell someone, then its a start to helping you, but if you cant tell anyone, then it will only get worse. I know this from experience because if we keep something inside for too long then it gets bigger and bigger and bigger until it gets so big that it is too much for us to handle. When you can tell someone what the problem is a professional counsellor will be able to put it into perspective for you. It may not happen straight away, but it will happen, you just have to give it time. Everything I am saying, I am only guessing on because you are describing the symptoms, but not really the root of the problem. Nothing can be so bad that you cant talk about it.

If you are that confused that you cant pinpoint the problem, then counselling will still help, as long as you are honest. A counsellor doesnt care how knowledgeable you are, they dont really care about protocol either. They are there to help you, and I can guarantee that the counsellor would not be shocked by anything you would say to her. She is probably the only person who would not be shocked by anything because she has probably seen it all with other clients. Counsellors do not judge you, they really dont, they just want to get to the root of the problem. Medication will help, but not on its own. Medication will only help to calm you enough so you can work on the problem together with a counsellor. You cannot do it on your own. You need help.

Gee I am grabbing at straws here. This is really serious stuff. You need to tell someone what you have been bottling up inside for all these years. Do it now before its too late because once you are dead there is no coming back. You cannot undo it...its final.

Answer 2

Keep working at the meds and the counseling. You may need to try several different types of meds. Also you might have to find the right therapist. Do you know if you have some kind of trauma in your past? If yes, then the therapy is the most important part. Do you think it's possible something happened to you as a child that you have repressed? Keep working out, that should help a little bit. OK, if you've only been on the meds for two months, don't give up on that yet. Often they will start you on a low dose and at any dosage they can take awhile before they work. How many different types of meds have you tried? I know it sucks to have to keep trying and when you're depressed it's so hard to get motivated to try again. But make sure you try different kinds of meds at different dosages.

Answer 3

First go to your family doctor. He will refer you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will prescribe meds for you and have you come in several times a week to talk to him. You must tell him if the meds make you feel better or worse. They will take at least 2 weeks to work and maybe a little longer. Getting over depression is very hard and you must persevere. I have suffered from depression on and off for many years and the hardest is saying you are depressed. You know what is wrong now you must go out and find the right doctor and the right meds for you. Make sure you have the suicide hot line for your area programmed or near every phone. If you get that feeling call them they can help. While going to church may not have helped perhaps you could talk to the minister and that might help. Don't forget praying you can discuss any and all problems with God. He will not judge you and the prayers may help you. I will add you to my prayer list and say this with sincere best wishes in your quest for health. Almost forgot to tell you that I have not a depressive episode in about 5 years I guess I finally found the right combination of things for me and I have been off meds for 2 years.

Answer 4

You say you were diagnosed a few months ago. Firstly, anti depressants take at least 6 weeks to take effect and then build up from there. It is a long term treatment not an instant fix. How long did you use the medication and are you taking it everyday like you should and if it is not making you feel better then why are you not asking your doctor to change the type or the dosage? You have to look out for yourself here, depression absorbs you and will destroy you if you give it half a chance. I have lived with depression for most of my life. Stay on the medication after you find the one that works for you and be patient with that process, it might take time. It does become bearable eventually.

Answer 5

You need to call a depression hotline and talk to them about options that are available to you. If the medication isn't working, there are other medications to try. There is a medication that will help you, but sometimes you have to try several different ones, to find the one that works for you.

That said, there is nothing "wrong" with you. Millions of people suffer from depression and its more common that you might think. There are other options, too. Medication seems to work better if you are also in therapy at the same time, at least in the beginning. Therapists get to the root of the issues that may be contributing to your depression and help you to sort those things out and find constructive ways to cope with depression.

Regular exercise (a 30-minute walk especially) and a healthy diet are important, also. If you take medication, make sure you are taking it every day at the same time (your doctor will instruct you), because this does matter.

Please call the hotline below and take the first steps toward getting your life back on track. I know dozens of people who suffer from depression, and you will feel better. I will be thinking about you while you take the steps toward a happy life. Please let a friend or close family friend know how you are feeling. You just never know who may be able to help you in your effort to recover.

Answer 6

This is serious. If you are having suicidal thoughts you must call for help immediately. There is a way out of depression. But you won't find it if you give up. Please get help. We need you here in this world. You are a good person and you deserve a good life.

Answer 7

Maybe you need some stronger meds or a different doctor. Some docs aren't really that sympathetic to your problems - so keep searching till you find one that really does care.

Answer 8

i understand what your going through..i am also going through depression but the thing is that no one knows what im going through...not even counselers....i think you are really brave to come out and try to get help for your depression....it will be very hard....its even hard for me to tell my closest friends... but its sooo hard to tell you what to do in order to make you happy....everyday i wonder what if i did this or what if this happened...would i be happy finally? i really dont know....i think that you should continue trying....take some time off take a vacation take up painting....good luck...i know your hurting inside but please dont hurt your family and friends....there must be more to life than pain and depression....just be patient and something amazing will happen to u....good luck.

Answer 9

ya know what i don't know you but i'm gonna tell you anyway....i had a really hard time...the same as you....i tried the "church" thing and the meds and everything else....nothing worked...i thought i was just horrible mabye i shouldn't even be alive.. i started cuting all the time .....one day i nearly slit my wrists.... but really believe me on this the only thing that changed my life forever was i finaly listened i gave my life to Jesus....everything i totaly surrendered...let go...and that was it...i finaly understood someone loved me...enough to die for me even in my sin...so don't give up...i understand whats going on...and there is someone who loves you ..Jesus....He loves you more than anyone could.....please believe me....its hard to just write something like this out...i'll be praying for you....hold on its gonna get better :-)

Answer 10

I know how how you feel. I went on medication and am getting therapy. It has been helping me. If that dosn't work for you, I don't know what else to say but to go to a psychiatrist again and tell them what has been happening with you.