I'm a 23 yr old female w/a family history of depression. Been to the doctor's many times for my anxiety/depression and have been on Lexapro for a few months but nothing is working. I am so depressed I don't even want to get out of bed. I am miserable & constantly pick fights with friends and family. In June I started a new job and have already missed almost 20 days of work just for the simple fact that I can't bring myself to go. I feel like there is no point in my life anymore. I graduated college & have a good job but I can't even bring myself to go. My Mom is not around so I live with my Dad and he does nothing but yell at me. How do I get out of this rutt? I am so ashamed to go back to work tommorow. I want to quit just so I can start fresh somewhere. I am tired of being so unhappy and angry. I need advice.
2006-10-31 04:01:33 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
First of all... Try not to lay around. I have struggled with that same thing, and trust me, being alone all of the time makes it much much worse... Get out... find a routine. Go for walks, see people... Don't lay in bed... Go to work when you don't feel like it, because that's the most important time to go!
Consciously seek out things that make you happy. Have a list... Go out with friends regularly... watch movies that make you laugh.
The idea is to remove yourself as far as possible from your depression... I know it can be hard, and how bad it gets... but ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness... So, go out and make yourself happy, if nothing else is working for you.
(move out of your house.... if you dad yells at you all the time, it's not helping... try talking to him first... if he doesn't get it, then move out.)
2006-10-31 04:13:22 · answer #1 · answered by just nate 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you are really young to be in this kind of depression... Go back to your dr and tell him everything you have said here, the Lexapro isn't working and you are missing too much work.....
He will be able to try something else, maybe something stronger!
Too many people don't understand or know what to do when a loved one is suffering this way, your dad is showing too much aggression because he probably doesn't know what else to do and cannot help you... He's probably as frustrated as you are!
I am married to a man who is going through everything you have described... but has been going to dr.'s and psychologists / counselors and taking meds for a long time... He is just starting to go back to work part time for a few hours a day... maybe your workplace would consider letting you work part time hours for a while! It is better to take things gradually instead of being over-whelmed and not going at all... Get some help from your Dr. and also check into counseling asap! It might be the best thing you could do for yourself... my husband has a great counselor and it is paid for through medicaid... I don't know what we'd do without him! If you have a clergy person to talk to or a good trusted friend, that would be another key to helping you deal with this now! One thing I would tell you is that the answer is not to stay in bed... that is just ignoring the problem... it won't go away... My husband was staying in bed for nearly a year, not working at all... and he would be in his bed for about 20 hours a day... every day!
It was hard on him as well as me and the rest of the family! It only prolonged the misery for all of us.. he is doing better now, but still has to work on some of these things... Good luck, take care of yourself and do whatever you can to get well soon ok!
2006-10-31 04:18:24 · answer #2 · answered by MaggieO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hallo Kim,
I`m a23 year old girl 2 i suffer from extreme depression and anxiety that seems very hard to get rid of .i have been on med`s Prozac,effexor,cliprax and now Zoloft. i`m very tired to do anything so i know exactly how you feel ,i just want to lay down in the dark, i don`t have a job and live at home with my parents i have no energy at all.depression is ruining my life as well i hate it and i hate everything.
i try to relax and break big tasks into small ones ,i try to read and i also meditate and that helps me a lto coping with depression ,i also plan to start fresh and have another chance with life,and i know that day will come sooner or later ,please don`t give up try to relax and listen to nice music ,have faith and things will defiantly change ,nothing last forever.
I wish you the best of luck :)
2006-10-31 04:22:26 · answer #3 · answered by Deedeeyahoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have insurance, go back to your doc and tell them you feel as though you may hurt yourself or other by being on the road, cooking ect. Maybe thye can check you into a hospital I've been on all kinds of meds for the last 15 years and am in your positon on and off. I fell the same way now, I'm getting ready to move to feel better (I've done this every year or two for most of my life). I talked to my shrink about it and they keep telling me I will just be going around in a circle and it will never end if I don't face it not. Make sure you keep your doctor's appointments and try to stay out of bed as much as possible (I know it's hard, but the more you get up and moving, the better you'll feel). I'm not sure if you want to move out of your dad's house until you feel better (unless he is abuse to you). Sit your dad down and explain about your medication and depression. Download some info about your condition and give it to him. Let him know that you don't want to feel this way anymore and that you do want to feel well enough to get up and moving. Maybe you can tell him how he can help you (ex. don't yell in the morning, instead come and talk to you about all the good reasons to get out of bed).
2006-10-31 05:00:26 · answer #4 · answered by Mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in combination with SSRIs is one of the most effective methods to fight depression. It may be a worthwile investment for you.
Otherwise some practical steps you could take: Try to enjoy the simple things in life again. Don't blame yourself for missing work, or for making other mistakes. Try to find aspects of your work you enjoy doing instead, and focus on them. Set yourself small goals every day, and reward yourself for achieving them. Then try to higher the bar slowly. Accept that an improvement doesn't happen overnight.
2006-11-03 07:00:31 · answer #5 · answered by bergab_hase 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smile! It does get better. There is a better day coming. I am 46
female and have had bipolar depression since I was ll yr. old. Keep trying on the meds till your psychiatrist gets it right! It took me a long time..I even have an 8 year old daiughter to raise on my own. Talk to people you trust...cry! It is healing. And always remember.l.there are US who know how you feel! You are NOT alone & God does love you! Best wishes & God Bless!
2006-10-31 04:16:59 · answer #6 · answered by Chloe:) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey! i can totally relate to you and this is a relief. i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder years back and have had a terrible time controlling it. i am at your point now, with being depressed and cant move or get up and work can be such a task and you feel sick about going. i dont even talk to my family because they dont understand my condition and my mother has her own issues so she is very cruel to me....ect. right now i have several thoughts of suicide due to loniliess, self-disgust, feeling like i cant get out of my finacial mess, and ect. im struggling like hell right now. but i do know what could help. maybe you should consider changing docs, and being re-evaluated...and or trying a different medication. a prn for the anxiety such as klonopi or ativan could be helpful for panic attacks..as long as you take them in moderation. perhaps finding a friend or someone close to you(support system) who you can talk with and will possibly motivate you to get exercise(excercise is a great way to curb depression as well as drinking lots of water...sounds like b.s. but infact very effective.) i recommend staying away from drugs and alcohol much as possible if you do them at all. they actually make it much much worse although you might feel great at the time, trust me, i have had to learn this the hard way. Job wise. find an environment that you dont feel pressured or anxious in, perhaps a low stress job or something where you arent surrounded by lots and lots of busy people, because that would help with your anxiety about work. i used to work in retail and in hospitals and i could never go becuase i would be sick to my stomach or have panic attacks. now i work in a residential with people with mental retardation, and its very relaxed and similiar to being home so i'd rather be there. try to stick it out with pops if you can, but i recommend moving out asap. also if you'd like to keep your job and you can stick it out to where you've worked 1250 hours or more, there should be a FMLA (family medical leave act) in their policy that you might qualify for and you can leave work when you have to for up to 12 weeks a year and not get fired. anything else you need ask, i know it all. thanks!
2006-10-31 04:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not ur job its ur father..hes toxic..move out..i put up with my toxic family for 47 years and i just dont talk to them no more,,faimly in herited depression?? ya cuz the men are favored and the women abused,,i have 2 aunts that stay away from family, but my dad says its cuz they are sick..i think its my dad..my brother,,my grandfather who was sick,,my dad still threatend me till i was 47,,thats was it,,they dont exsist
2006-10-31 04:30:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am sorry you feel that way. i know the feeling. what worked for me finally was a combo of the right meds and counseling. but finding a good counselor can be tough.
cognitive behavioral therapy helped me too
2006-10-31 04:10:50 · answer #9 · answered by KelticPete 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋