Depression/anxiety question?

Question

I think I have a major anxiety disorder and have had it for the past 7 years. I also think I have major depression since 3 years ago. I just turned 18 yesterday. Because of my anxiety I really can't talk to anyone about this. I cant even talk to my parents about it. I would never think about killing myself. My best friend is the only person who I would feel comfortable talking to about this and he's moving out of the country next month. That's only made it worse, so I don't even want to tell him because he already feels bad that he has to move. I can't affoard going to see a doctor and my parents really wouldn't want to hear this. They are both deeply religious and I have heard all my life any mental problem can only be solved through god and not any man, so even if I could tell them they wouldn't really do much about it except tell me to pray. What the hell am I supposed to do? I really feel helpless.

Answer 1

Print This Off and Have Your Parents Read it if you can't approach them.
I am a 43 year old woman who has had some life experiences. I happened upon your question when browsing looking for scrapbooking suggestions!

For many years, mental illness was thought to be a sign of weakness. Much of society has been slow to change their attitude on this. However, I will bet your family doctor sees several patients a day that feels like you do. Anything you tell your doctor is in confidence; especially now that you are 18. They take an oath on this. So, go talk to your doctor. Don't put this off. Depression is real!

You must be totally honest with your doctor. He/she may suggest lifestyle changes, such as more exercise and diet changes. Believe it or not, exercise produces chemicals in your brain that can make depression not as severe. Also, sometimes a diet of certain carbohydrates, alot of sugar, and carbonated beverages can drag you down.

The doctor may also want you to take medication. You are probably on your folks health care plan so they will find out. I urge you to tell your doctor your situation and see if he/she will talk to your parents.

I remember being your age and not wanting to discuss anything with my folks. I just knew they could not relate to me at all. After talking to my mother when I got a little older, I discovered that depression ran in both sides of my family. Some of my family members in generations past turned to alcohol to self-medicate back in the days before anti-depressants.

God created some men and women whom have made discoveries in medicine. It has been proven that some people do not produce enough chemicals in their body that are needed to keep from being depressed. It is a medical condition that causes a psychological condition.

Take a look at diabetics. Diabetics either don't produce insulin or their body cannot use the insulin correctly. So, they take synthetic insulin to keep their body functioning properly. The same goes for those with depression and/or other mental illness. The proper chemicals/hormones in your body are not produced; or not enough is produced.

I am not a nurse or a doctor, but I also have battled depression since I was your age. I have taken medicine off and on for several years. I am still the same person. It does not make me HIGH or goofy. I can now concentrate on my work, I don't feel worthless, thoughts do not race through my head as they once did. I still have the same silly habits and hangups. Most medicines that are prescribed now are not narcotics. (In the past valium and other barbituates were prescribed for depression.)

Instead of feeling like I am riding on an emotional roller coaster, I feel like I am riding in a car with good shocks.

Good luck to you. Don't be afraid to tell your folks your concerns...they love you!

Answer 2

When your depression or anxiety starts affecting your life negatively to the point that you can't enjoy things you used to, or you find it has turned into a handicap, then it's time to talk to a doctor. I suggest doing some "talk therapy" in addition to taking medication because many studies have shown that people who do both improve more than people who just do one or the other. I have suffered from fairly severe depression for over half my life, and I cannot even tell you how different my life is now that I'm taking medication for it. During most of my adolescence I had undiagnosed depression, and it crippled me, plain and simple. Once I started taking medication, I found I was more easily able to control my moods (ie. think positive thoughts and actually feel better) and enjoy fun things. All depression medications have side effects, but there are trade-offs to just about everything. I would not say that taking medication has affected my personality, I still feel like me, just a saner, healthier me who can cope with everything life throws at me. If you start a medication and find that you just cannot live with the side effects, there are many other medications that you can try until you get a good fit. One thing I want to mention is that you have to be patient with medication. Some people take medication for a couple of weeks and then decide that it's not working, so they stop. Others don't like the side effects, so they quit taking it. As long as the side effects aren't debilitating, try to stay on the medication for a bit, even if you don't feel 100% good. Depression medications take awhile to fully work, and oftentimes side effects will show up at the beginning and then go away. Medications for depression are not "happy pills." They will not make you instantly happy, cheery, or unnaturally giddy, unless you were that way before you became depressed. Basically they just let you be yourself. Best of luck, I hope medication helps.

Answer 3

There are treatments for your depression and anxiety
my have been treat for this for years like the one person wrote
try free mental clinic There are lot medication that can treat you and they are not the same some might not work as well as other it deepens on your condition I would say get help well your still young putting it off will make worse I have been taking medication
for 15 years now and I feel better I still get anxiety attacks ever now and then But only a doctor can give the right medication that's right for you Sooner the better for you

Answer 4

Well, you stated that you just turned 18 yesterday, so you obviously know that you are old enough to seek treatment on your own. You don't need anyone's permission or approval to find help to feel good about yourself. I don't care what anyone says, religious or otherwise, depression is a chemical imbalance that no amount of wishing it away is going to help. Why don't you try researching for free mental health clinics in your area? A lot of them often have samples of medications as well or could assist you in finding a cheaper way to get help. Good Luck and seek out some help or counseling before the problem gets worse.

I was raised Christian and have NEVER heard that you should not seek treatment for depression. It's a real disorder, and not something that will disappear.

Answer 5

Depression

A depressive disorder is
not the same as passing
blue mood. It's not an indication of personal
weakness or a state
that can be willed or
wished away. A person with depressive disorder usually can’t pull them-selves together and get better. Without treat-ment, symptoms can
last for weeks to years.



People with anxiety disorder are often left immobilized. Anxiety keeps them house-bound, away from people, not able to do normal and simple for fear of this or that.

People experiencing anxiety symptoms should know that it's a common disorder and is very curable



Treating Anxiety Disorders
Everyday anxiety responds to simple measures that you can take yourself, such as regular aerobic exercise, time management, learning to let your feelings out with a trusted friend, or relaxation training. But when anxiety is severe, professional treatment is necessary. The good news is that anxiety disorders are among the most treatable emotional illnesses, and while they are certainly distressing, they are rarely dangerous.

Treatment is usually two-pronged, combining drug therapy and psychotherapy. Drugs are useful for short-term relief, while long-term improvement usually requires some behavioral and life-style changes.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive and behavioral therapies, can be helpful in reducing anxiety. Behavioral therapy involves gradually exposing you to the object or situation that causes your anxiety. Cognitive therapy helps you learn to control unrealistic or negative thinking patterns that may be contributing to your anxiety.

Drugs are available to help treat and manage the symptoms of various anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax) are commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorders. A newer class of drugs called azapirones is also an option. These drugs appear to work by mimicking the effects of the chemical messenger serotonin on the brain. Buspirone (BuSpar) is the first of this class to reach the market

Answer 6

If you are 18, you should soon be either going to college or getting a job. Either way, you should have access to some kind of psychological counseling. You are an adult and your parents no longer control your life. You can seek help however you see fit.

You can still talk to your best friend, just maybe not as frequently, and of course talking on the phone is never as satisfying as talking in person. But don't look at his moving as the end of your friendship. With email and all kinds of calling plans available, you should still be able to count on him for at least some support.

In the meantime, look around for other friends or maybe relatives who aren't as rigid in their thinking as your parents. Maybe an aunt or uncle you know you can trust.

The main thing is to seek treatment. Counseling may be all you need, but counseling plus medication may be a better option. Remember, you are an adult now, and most aspects of your life are under your control. Either get into college (where you can go the student health service) or get a job (where hopefully you will have health insurance).

Good luck. I hope you are able to work this out.

Answer 7

Contact your local County Mental Health Department. They will help. I'm sorry to say that your parents are very wrong, a mental health issue is not a "Godly" matter. Depression / anxiety are very real problems that need to be addressed with counseling and / or medication.

Answer 8

There are a lot of really good answers to this questons so rather that repeat myself I am just here to offer my support. I have been just what you have been and if it hadn't been through the strength of some close friends and some higher power I would'nt have made it here today. I found a free clinic here in town (not the best route to go, but by being persistant eventually got me where I wanted to be) who found me an amazing therapist and psychologist who have literally saved my life. While they were waiting to see me, they offered larger scale support groups to get me though and to the difficult time and to help me "hold on" until my appt. There are also crisis centers when the pain gets too much to bear. Please dont give up. There are always free resources out there to help you. Good luck. I'm here if you need a shoulder to cry on.

Answer 9

Go find a counselor in your area who works on a sliding fee scale, or for free if you are in school Since you are 18, you don't have to worry about them discussing your personal business with your parents. There is help available. If you need medication, use it in conjunction with counseling.

Answer 10

Your question makes me feel very sad. I suffered depression around your age, but 'came out of it' quite quickly with a few trips to a therapist. You are not going to find the help you need on the internet. Is there a teacher or counsellor who could help you? God is not going to pull you out of mental illness. The Lord helps those who help themselves.