surely i'm depressed?

Question

basically i have always had a negative attitude, about myself and life in general, and feeling sad alot of the time, often for no apparent reason. but recently i went through a really rough time. i started to self harm, cried constantly, stayed in my room and took lots of sleeping pills....it all culminated in a paracetamol overdose....i went to hospital, stayed overnight under observation and was sent home no questions asked....about two weeks later i received a letter offering me an appointment with a psychiatrist. i went and was asked a few basic questions...nothing too in depth and was sent on my way and advised to speak to my uni councellor. surely this is completely inadequate? not that im an expert but surely my symtoms and actions should have been treated more seriously? what do i have to do to get some help?!!!

Answer 1

I sympathize with your pain sweetie. I also wanted to tell you to please not pay attention to the answer you unfortunately received by "the original..." It's disturbing to me how many idiots give answers on here. Whether you are attention seeking or not , the answer to your question is YES, you are in fact depressed. I'm sorry that you did not receive more compassion upon seeking help. I went through the same thing you did. I hurt myself a long time ago because I felt worthless and hopeless...severely depressed. I hope that you will take it upon yourself to do what you're already doing...research on how to get better. Being depressed is unfortunately not as sociabally accepted as it should be. It is not your fault. It will only be your fault if you decide to stop everything, sit in your room and wish for death, again and again. You have already showed a lot of strengh by posting this serious question and seeking help. Seek too another psychologist. Keep searching until you find a one whom you feel comfortable with. There are people in this world that DO care and have been there, and who want to be there for you if you let them. Yes, the treatment you received was inadaquate to say the least. You seem like an intelligent, worthy person so please don't give up on your search to heal yourself. Until you can get to the doctor again, visit the website: www.psychologies.co.uk/index.php. Join this group if you like what you read. It can be very helpful. I've suffered from depression and anxiety for years and am more than happy to chat with you if you'd like to email me directly.

Please take care hun :)

Answer 2

You've had some good advice so far and there isn't much I have to add to it. However, I think it would be a good idea if you joined the National Self Harm Network website. You should find some good support there and you'll find the link below. Also, speak to your uni-counsellor as advised and if you think you need further help, get his/her support in getting it. With this kind of back-up, others should take you more seriously. I know counselling is not an easy process. I had a breakdown a couple of years ago and was seeing a counsellor for six months or so. I am better now though so I hope that gives you a ray of hope and encourages you to persevere. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

I'm afraid that's the NHS for you. It took 3 overdoses and seeing a lot of people including the uni counsellor before I finally felt I was getting the treatment I needed. You need to keep fighting to get it but I would say its not worth all the overdoses. Just make sure you tell whoever you see exactly how you are feeling. If you are feeling seriously suicidal and have made plans then make sure you tell someone who will then hopefully realise that you need more than just a counsellor (which really didn't help for me- CBT is much better but rarely available on the NHS). Sorry to break the bad news to you but that's how it is. Once you get the help, it is pretty good but the NHS doesn't have enough money or people in mental health and they can't give treatment out to everyone.

Answer 4

I can't believe this - an overdose isn't funny, you can return damaged. Next time walk into A&E before you take the pills and insist on seeing a duty doctor.

If you can't get help - you could always try St John's Wort. Although not with medicine from the doctor. Best I can suggest is drop thinking about yourself and do something - particulaly execise. If you are drinking or taking drugs - stop now - nothing will work while you are taking stuff.

Latest theory - getting back to nature/getting dirty/muddy is good. Exercise is definately good. Remember depression is not something you solve, it's not a puzzle with a magic solution, it's a condition you have to act your way out of.

Answer 5

I have suffered from clinical depression for 20 years. While many psychiatrists and counselors are only superficially concerned with you, most likely because of the number of patients, you can find one who will take more of an interest in you personally. Do you have a regular physician, not a psych? Your regular doctor can refer you to local psychiatrists that he knows or has worked with. If your regular doctor refers you, chances are the psychiatrist will take you on as a patient and will not only take an interest in you, but can also prescribe medicines which, believe me, will help you immensely. Do not ask for a counselor or psychologist. It has to be a psychiatrist because they can prescribe medicine while a psychologist cannot. And you most like need medicine. You must remember one thing however, take it from me personally, you MUST take your pills regularly AND DO NOT STOP unless your psychiatrist tells you. I did this and I can tell you from my own mistakes--this will increase your depression and make things a thousand times worse. If you take your meds faithfully, eventually you'll feel better. If you don't feel better after two weeks or so, TELL YOUR PSYCHIATRIST and he/she will try other medicines til one works for you. I have gone through all of this myself and I know wherof I speak--keep trying because you need help and know it which is a very good sign. Please ask your doctor or call a psychiatric hotline and ask to be referred. Or just open the Yellow Pages and look under psychiatrists or mental health and call up the psychiatrist's office yourself. Many times they will take you without a referral. I know it's hard but you must be pro-active and really press for it. If you have medical insurance that will help. If not, please apply for emergency MedicAid (in California called Medi-Cal) which is a form of government health coverage (some people call it welfare but don't quibble on this point-you are ill and need help no matter where it comes from) and find out what psychiatrists in your local area take this insurance and get referred by your doctor or call them yourself. Good Luck, my friend.

Answer 6

I think this was just a cry for help, the
Psychiatrist didn't think you were too bad.
Going on what they usually see in an attempted suicide some people are kept in hospital for months. Your best to try and take up your mind with a hobby, still attend the Psychiatrist take the pills and you will come out of it eventually. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Yes they should. Return to your GP get a better response then this. Go to a self help group your GP should have details for you if not check the web all sorts of people go through this. I meet a consultant surgeon who only stop self harming three years ago but he did stop and he does have a good life. So get help it is out there even if at times it seems hard.

Answer 8

I used to self harm alot and ended up in hospital more then once but no help was ever offered me, it was only once i saw my doctor that i was referred to the right people and once i got the help i needed i stopped harming myself and haven't for the last 10 months but it is still with me and i do at times want to cut myself but i find it easier to control than before, maybe you should try seeing your gp?

Answer 9

It might have seemed to the Doctor you saw that his opinion was that you needed no further treatment.
As you portray yourself as a Student, might I suggest that the course you are taking is a little difficult and this is what is on your mind almost constantly?

See your own GP as soon as you can, outline your fears and concerns; telling him about your previous experience with the Psychiatrist

Answer 10

tell somebody until somebody listens and if they keep brushing you off tell somebody else and somebody else because anyone can have it and everyone doesnt understand it be positive look for all the good things in your life if you cant find any get some or think about someone less fortunate than yourself that will help you a bit but keep looking for help and dont give up until you get it live life to the full and have somefun good luck!xxx