Really run down and depressed :o(?

Question

I have been depressed for a considerable time now and I am not getting any better, despite taking medication, having so-called talking therapies, etc, etc. In fact, my depression is getting worse. I can't motivate myself to do anything any more. I really don't need this at the moment as I am in my Advanced Higher (A2 Level) year at school and I am falling behind in my work. I used to enjoy school, my hobbies and stuff, but now I dread waking up in the morning because each day brings more work, stress and despair. Please help... :o(

Answer 1

Hi ... sorry to hear about your lingering dumps and I truly know how real and painful these things can be. First, I would take comfort in the fact that you and half the population have days of total distress in their lives, even though few people own up to it. Then I would simply ask you to accept a few basic rules .... (1) you will recover but recovery will be slow, very slow. Accept that and that you can and will start to climb that ladder (2) nothing is going to happen without input from you! There are no magic pills, spells, sermons or therapy that will wipe your depression away overnight .... but you must recognise your problem and meet it head on .... you have tremendous reserves inside you but must tell yourself this and that you are going to recover. (3) Take on small step every day ... recovery thrives on small steps. Make a new challenge every day ... to conquer the shaking, greet the mornings with hope, admire the sun and blue skys and how nature is in abundance all around you and there for you to marvel at every day. Remember .. small steps can be imperceptible but give them a chance to merge and one day you will simply know you feel better. (4) take more time out for yourself, be selfish if you must but simply work to take pressures off yourself. (5) Try and take more interest in what is happening around you and to others ... try and ignore your own feelings for one. Being involved with others means your own feelings fade into the background .... hopefully too the pain will also fade. Simple things I know but they do work. Have a great recovery!

Answer 2

There really isn't any cure, but there is a natural treatment. It has been around for over 100 years and works well for the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Here you can find more information http://treatment-hypothyroidism.keysolve.net

The reason why many feel well on Armour thyroid is because it contains both T4 and T3. Many with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) have difficulty converting T4 to T3 and Armour has T3 in it. The most common med for the condition is Synthoid. It is made in a lab. It is a T4 medication. It is given wit the idea that the person will convert T4 into T3. Many people can convert enough, but just as many can't. That's why there are many options. If you want the natural way, try Armour thyroid or Naturethroid. For thiose with low iodine levels iodine may help, but it some cases it can make matters worse. I'd try the ARmour or Naturethroid first. I have been on Armour for 4 years and almost all symptoms are gone. It is adjusted by free t4 and free T3, not by TSH. The TSH test is a test that was developed to adjust Synthoid, not Armour and it should not be used to adjust Armour

Answer 3

For you, it might be different. I started taking meds over a month ago for my depression, and I'm doing pretty much so and so. The problem might be that your meds aren't of good use, at least the ones you're taking, and the therapists you're seeing aren't doing a good job either. Maybe you need to explore other meds and therapists. What you need is to fix things in your life that are causing you depression and sadness. Try to think of things to be grateful about like being alive and having your sister and friends. What you also need is a friend to talk to. If you want, send me an email. I've helped out 2 of my best friends survive depression and suicide. Trust me, I can do wonders, and I know what you're going through because I'm still battling depression, too. I almost ran away from home also, but I fixed that. Again, send me an email if you want. I can help you. VIVA LA RAZA!

Answer 4

You aren't the only one! I have been there. Lots of people nowadays seem to feel this way. I can't believe the number of people on this forum that feel this way.

The only thing that helps me when I am this down is long walks. They increase the body's levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.

If you can concentrate long enough to watch a show, try something really funny, like America's funniest home video's, What's My Line, or your favorite comedian on tape or DVD. Laughing, no matter how you get there, makes your body produce more of the stuff that wards off depression.

Aviod alcohol and anti-anxiety medications, as they are depressants. Be kind to yourself, try to sleep if you can, Some of the stress will diminish after Midterms, finals, and the holidays.

Some depression can be caused by disturbances in biorhythms related to changing sunlight in the winter. Buy a full spectrum light bulb and sit under it in the morning when you get up for about 20 minutes. This is a good time to do your hair and/or makeup, or a little catch up studying. Good luck : )

Answer 5

Have you been getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, etc..? It sounds to me that you might be a little overworked. I know it sounds hokey aybe you just need to have some time for yourself. Or maybe you need to hang out with your friends more often, or maybe you need more (real) friends... Are your talking therapies one of those that you talk and the therapist just nods? If so, maybe you should try a therapist who also gives you some feedback and helps you identify the source of your problems. If medication didn't help, your depression may come from a life problem (vs. a chemical one), in which case you need to solve it. The difficulty is that a lot of times you don't even know what the real problem is. I have been through pretty serious depression in several situations, so if you elaborate, I might be able to give you some insight. I hope you get better. Let me know if I can help. Best wishes.

Answer 6

You should go back to your doctor and explain this to him/her, it may be that you need to try a different medication. I hope you will continue with counselling as well, it can take a long time for these things to work. I could be wrong here, but when you say you are run down, do you mean you are feeling lethargic and ill? If so, it might be that a physical illness is contributing to your depression - for example, thyroid trouble, anaemia etc can cause/worsen depression - it might be worth asking your doctor for a blood test to make sure you are physically healthy. Do the usual things like eating healthily and getting some fresh air and excercise each day. I know you might not feel motivated to do it, but if you can get a friend to drag you out for a brisk walk or go and play tennis or something, the adrenalin rush and the endorphins released will make you feel better. But please go back to your doctor and tell them what you have told us.

I hope things start to brighten up for you soon, best wishes.

Answer 7

I dont want to sound mean but everyone feels run down and tired now and again.
There is a difference between that and depression. I know college can be very stressful and I had a really hard time with it all too. All my friendships were changing, I had girl troubles and I was performing poorly in college. There were times when I felt depressed but I realised this is life it gets harder! So I stopped thinking of myself as depressed and started thinking that I was just in a rut that had to get out of. That really helped me push forward.
I dont know what else is going on in your life and you may be clinically depressed but I think its important to have a hard think about that. But if you are feeling down talk it out with friends, family etc and try not to be too overwhelmed by life.
Break up all your studies and work into smaller pieces and organise your time so you can fully relax when you are not working.
I hope you feel better soon & good luck with your studies.

Answer 8

You need to go back to see your doctor and/or counselor.There are so many different forms of anti-depressants it's literally hit - or - miss finding one that will work for you. If it's any comfort, I know what you're going through, I have been suffering since I was 15, I am now nearly 23, and I still havent found the right medication. A friend of mine has been suffering for 4 years, and she's only just found a pill that helps a little. Keep talking to your doctor, be honest with him or her and tell them everything about how you're feeling and how you think your medication is working.

Answer 9

grr i already typed an answer then somehow managed to delete it!!

anyway i totally understand how youre feeling, and its terrible, i have depression, and it started when i started my second year of uni. but there are so many things that you can do.

have you spoken to your GP? perhaps your medication could be changed? some are more effective than others, depending on the person.

do you have a part-time job? if so, then get a sick-line off your doctor, and take a few weeks off. i had to do that, and it was great just to have that time to myself.

talk to your school. this is more common than you might think. they should be able to extend deadlines, give you help with work etc. exam boards can also take this into consideration and might be able to give you sympathetic marking or something. but chat to someone in school - a counsellor, or a favourite teacher or something. and take someone with you for moral support - maybe your parent or a best friend?

you dont have to keep suffering like this chick. i really hope things get better for you soon.

Answer 10

With depression every thing always seems to get worse. I know what your going through been there and talking therapies don't work for this you need meds. Also ask your doctor about a new treatment called Trans-cranial magnetic therapy apparently this works really well but is only in the early stages of development.