Going on drugs - will I and what am I likely to get put on?

Question

Hey.
I've had issues with self-harm since I was about ten years old, and I am now 17. My parents have only been made aware once, at which point I was told I was doing it for attention. It has never been mentioned again.

At my worst, I caused a huge open wound in my forearm which 3 years later is still red and keloided, and slashed myself accross the face with a hypodermic needle.

I posted not long back about a relapse, and the worst came to the worst and i've started harming again. I worked hard to get over it on my own, and I don't want things to get that bad again.

I've got a lot of issues in my life, with college stress and a negative relationship on the go. I have issues with compulsive over-eating and i'm feeling very depressed.

I am going to make an appointment to speak to my college councellor (it's free) but I want to see my family doctor about some medication to help me along.

Am I likely to get it? If so, what's it likely to be - side effects?

Answer 1

Hi
There should be nothing in your life that would want to make you harm yourself do violent things to yourself either. I don't your counselor will be able to help you. I would find a very good phytricist and get the proper medication your general does not have the expertise to deal with your kind of disorder and you should have a professional specializing in your particular disorder for your best outcome. I have my own issues nothing like yours but I have found a Dr specializing my issues and I can tell you that I have never felt better. I hope this help!

Answer 2

It sounds as though you may be put on an antidepressant.

While they do have side effects [everything does].. the benefit of better mood, less thoughts of self harm and reduced anxiety/stress will far out weigh any side effects.

Most people do not have to stay on meds long term unless they develope what is called "Serious Mental Illness' [Shizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder etc]

In addition to meds, you need counseling to get at the root of these issues. If you are going to a fair sized college there may be a counseling department there where you can get low cost or no cost counseling... if not, ask your school counselor about what is called "sliding scale" services... Most communities have them and they are for people with limited means to pay [college students often fall into this category].

Above all, make sure you follow thru with the recomendations of your counselor and the doctor... but be warned, some primary care providers do not want to provide any mental health drugs..... hopefully yours will be more open to this.

Keep in mind, you will likely feel much better about 6 weeks after starting meds [not in a day or two] and you need to talk thru your issues.... to find out what the "real" problem is.

Depression and some of the other things you describe are very common amoung women.... but rest assured, it will will get better. I have a friend who likes to say "This too shall pass" and as trite as that sounds, it is true... it is just hard when you are going thru the valleys of life.....

Also, check out this site from the national institutes of health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depwomenknows.cfm

Answer 3

Sweetie pie, I would say that right at this moment the so-called side effects from possible drug intervention have nothing on the side effects of the pain in your life. I am on wellbutrin and have been on Paxil...trust me neither does anything that can compare with self harm...Please do whatever you need to do to have a life that is w/o all this pain. You are worth it and you deserve it...now DO IT! Just for You.

Answer 4

one word.EMO