My friend is very depressed and trying to get some help with her problems from a doctor. Her parents are very strict and don't believe in medication or depression. They will not give her their insurance information and she can't afford to visit with a doctor. She is scared about gonig against her parents wishes but I'm afraid if she doesn't get any help, she will just get worse. She has tried to call around to counseling centers and even get help from hospitals but they keep telling her she might be committed and she is scared. What should I do as a friend that she trusts? I don't know her parents so I don't know how they are, I just know they keep telling her she can solve her problems by herslef. I need some advice please.
2007-01-31 06:23:09 · 11 answers · asked by J D 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
she is 23, still lives with her parents because she is in school. she would move out but we are in a demanding program...in which she won't be able to continue if she moves out cause she couldn't afford it.
2007-01-31 06:31:41 · update #1
First you are doing the right thing. You are being a true freind. Second of all depending on her state, there are departments of mental health where people can get help with depression.
You or your friend should go to the county or township government and find the assistance she needs. Many of these agencies run on the property taxes people pay for thier homes making them free or low cost to the residents.
2007-01-31 06:58:20 · answer #1 · answered by mikeae 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The first thing she should do (if she is still in college) is go to the university counseling dept. The first few session of counseling are usually covered by student fees each semester. Her parents would never have to know that she has been to a counselor.
Additionally, at 23 years old, she should start breaking the financial bond with her parents and acquire her own insurance that would cover any medications. And many grad programs now include health insurance as part of their benefits.
Overall though, I think her first trip should be to the counseling office. No doubt they will have other options for her that I cannot think of right now.
(And by the way, if her parents have already paid for health fees, to see the doctors and nurses at her school then she should be able to get a prescription from the physicians there.)
2007-01-31 06:45:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to understand that YOU aren't responsible for her getting help. I understand why you want to help her and I think you should try but it's important to understand that there is only so much you can do. You can't save her. Ultimately that's up to her.
Alright, now that we have that said there are some positive steps you can take with her to get her help.
If you think she's suicidal you need to call 911. She may indeed spends some time in a Psychiatric Hospital but I've been there and it really isn't anything like the movies depict. It is a safe place where people can help you get back to yourself. The length of her stay will, most likely be a couple days to a couple weeks depending on how well she responds to the help she'll receive.
They will probably have her talk to a therapist to get to the bottom of what's got her down, teach her some tools to help her cope without medications and possibly give her medications to help her sleep and increase the levels of neurotransmitters in her nervous system. She may need to stay on these medications for a long time by chances are pretty good that she'll be able to quit taking them after she's been feeling better for a while.
She can probably (depending on where you live) call a free hotline that will be able to help her find places that can help without insurance or her parents consent. Look in the phone book for a suicide hotline or call the local hospital and ask them for the number.
She may be able to make an appointment with her family doctor without asking her parents. Most doctors keep insurance information on file and don't need to see the card each visit.
And finally ask her to talk to the school social worker/councilor. If they feel she is at risk they are obligated to tell the authorities and that'll get things moving!
2007-01-31 06:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Gretchen C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what hospitals she called, but they are idiots re: the committal issue. Her parents are abusive and must be those Ted Haggard Christians that would not help their own daughter.
If the school offers personal or student counseling services, go there. It is confidential and that is by law. Depression is nothing to fool with.
Some cities and towns have a 3-digit Crisis Line or "First Call for Help". They can refer her to a free clinic.
Stay by her and give her support and lend an ear. You are a wonderful person to take such an interest in your friend. If there is a risk of suicide . . . call 911 immediately ... better to be safe then find your friend has died.
2007-01-31 06:52:18 · answer #4 · answered by morahastits 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many churches are available for counseling and you don't even have to call. Priests, clergy, they are there for us and want to help.
Yes, schools have counseling ,however they must notify the parents and that may cause some extra problems. Have you tried the Good Samaritans, they are in most states and have a 1-800 number. I think the best and safest route would be clergy , as that is strictly confidential.They will not disclose any information to anyone. Good Luck and stand by your friend.
2007-01-31 06:37:34 · answer #5 · answered by lorrina b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is she over 18? If she is over 18 tell her to go to a free clinic. About the committed thing. I know this sounds wrong but it is probably the only way. If the free clinic commits her, you 2 might have to make up a little white lie for the reason why she's not at home. something like you 2 will be on a road trip or something.
When my uncle needed cancer surgery he didn't want the fmaily to know at first so he told us all that he was going to have a business trip for a few days and his boss backed him up on it.
2007-01-31 06:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by christigmc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she's well enough to continue to attend classes, then she isn't going to be committed.. her college should have some student support services that could offer her some help. check with school administration office or with the student council..
the school may also have health serives or doctors..
at her age, the decision to take medication is one that she doesn't need to tell her parents. affordability might be the issue here though..
bottom line, depression can be helped, and it should be helped..
2007-01-31 06:40:22 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell your friend, if she really needs the medication she should get it, because i have a younger cousin and he was depressed and he's only in 5th grade, so he took his shoe string and almost killed himself, because he tied it around his neck. so his teacher had to yank his hands of the string. When the doctors asked him why did he do it, he said he was tierd of dealing with the stress and wanted to kill him self. So tell your friend that she should get the medication anyway.
2007-01-31 06:45:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all the above answers are good and you should try them i also have depression and went to the doc and he gave me paxil first antidepressants are rally nasty drugs so i stoped taking those after about a week i went online and got a herbal antidepressant called amoryn you could try that its worked pretty well for me and no side effects best of luck
2007-01-31 06:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your parents, a school counselor or nurse or a teacher you trust.
2007-01-31 06:27:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋