Several quieries on Depression?

Question

I'm pretty sure I'm depressed.
I've been to my doctor who said I was too young to take drugs for it, and to try counselling, which didnt work at all.
Does anyone know if there is a clinic in London that specialises in depression? Or do I have to just find a new doctor somewhere?
Also, what does it feel like to be on anti-depressants? Do you know that theyre changing your thoughts? And do you seem like the same person to other people?
Sorry if these seem like stupid questions.
Thanks for any help.

I'm 20 by the way, but have been feeling down with depressive symptoms on nd off for 3 years.
I'm fed up of feeling down for no reason, and i think its going to start having a strain on my relationship.

Answer 1

well i was convinced i was depressed too until tonight. have been on sleepers cos i couldnt get my sleep pattern right and as they didnt work i was put on anti- D drugs. Which as anyone knows, actually increases your sensitivity for a few weeks before they actually kick in. this is why the initial dosage is low, as in the first few weeks you can become manic or suicidal as anxieties seems ten times worse. After your GP has seen you manage your dosage correctly they then up the dosage and the drug kicks in (supposedly), though there can be side effects too such as vivid dreams, increased anxiety , loss of sleep self harm, basically whatever you are being treated for gets worse before it gets better as a result of taking the tabs. Im stopping taking mine today, as i dont wanna become a zombie. I still have an irregular sleep pattern and i still have thoughts whizzing round my head, so what's the point of tabs? what i dont have, is the love i had, i lost that through being anxious, selfish and childlike while being on the drugs.
So, even though your GP wont prescribe drugs for you, it doesnt mean there's no help. You need someone to talk openly and frankly to, a counsellor as well as loyal friends, and together you can work out what is causing your anxieties and create a get back to fitness routine. All is not lost, dont give in. God bless.

Answer 2

You need a new doctor. You're not too young to be on anti depressants at all and I can't believe a doctor has said such a thing to you. Try and find a more sympathetic doctor. It cn be hard to be treated seriously for depression but it is very serious and you need to do something about it.

when you first go on anti-depressants you will most probably get some side effects (dizziness, nausea and sometimes an increase in depressive thoughts) but these will wear off and you should (if they work) feel like your normal self (i.e no depressive symptoms). Be aware that you may not get the right drugs first time and if they're not working after a certain amount of time (I'm not sure what the consenus is on this maybe...a couple of months?) you must tell you doctor and ask him/her to put you on something else.
You will be the same person to other people. It doesn't change your personality. You will still be you. The drugs are there to alter the chemicals in your brain and hopefully allow you to see more clearly without the depressive thoughts.

Answer 3

Hello there so sorry to hear that you a feeling low it is not fine but there is help out there somewhere it's just finding the help that is going to suit you. Yes this sort of pressure can put a strain on a relationship, however, you will come out the other side stronger believe me.

I have looked through the answer and there is some good advice, however I am of the opnion that you ought to consider Jules professional advice. Plenty of signposts to other organisations for support and advice. And I'm sure that Mind will be able to refer you to somewhere in London for the help you require.

You can make an informed descision once you have all the options and facts laid before you.

Meanwhile get out and exercise that mind and body. It is the best way to release the natural endorphines in the brain.

These endorphines will help you to cope until you get the help and support you need. Take your partner with you and enjoy the Marathon in London this week- end. I wish I could be there too.

Try not to be too disappointed in the response of your doctor. Whilst the treatment for depression is much improved many doctors still do not have either the right approach or understanding of mental health problems so most either give you antidepressants or just whitewash over it.

At your age it is specially important that you have the right treatment and no it is not stupid to ask questions.

All the best and take care and keep the pecker up. We all care you know.

PS If at the end of the day antidepressants are suggested to you as the way forward. Remember you want to know all about them and if they have any side effects. Though taken as directed and under strict supervision life can get better though it can take time and patience.

There is life at the end of that tunnel.

Answer 4

I don't know about a clinic in London but I would suggest you find a different doctor at least.
It is better to do without anti-depressants if possible, but if you need them, then you need them.
Counselling should help somewhat, if only to discuss how you are feeling and learn about coping with symptoms of depression.
It is good to talk over how you are feeling, perhaps with a good friend or someone who has suffered/suffering depression. A lot of people who have not suffered themselves do find it difficult to understand it.

Being on anti-depressants should make you feel more 'normal'. Taking away the depressive feelings. They normally take around 9/10 days to begin to work, after that you should notice a difference. However, some can take around 3 weeks before a noticeable difference.
As far as 'seeming like the same person to other people' goes, it really depends how they already see you. If they see you at your worst then, yes they will notice a difference. If however, you are cover up your feelings around others, then maybe they won't notice much change.

None of your questions are stupid, keep asking if it brings you help.
Hope this is some small help.

Answer 5

Hi there, I hope I can be of some help.

Firstly, change your doctor. Once you get to talk to someone else, they will do a scale of depression assessment, and that will tell them whether you are in need of counselling, therapy, or need to be referred to a psychiatrist. That will also them they whether you need medication. If I was you, I wouldn't be so keen to take medication, because the side effects can be horrid, but if you find the right medication for you, it can change your life for the better.

I personally suffer from severe clinical depression, and have been on a range of medications over the past fourteen years for it. Anti depressants are the ones for you, don't even bother touching anti psychotics or sedatives, the side effect can be life destroying and disabling, and you don't sound unwell enough for them (some psychiatrists just chuck all the meds they can at patients for no good reason). When I've been on meds, you can't tell anything regarding your thoughts being changed whatsoever, they don't work like that. All that happens is the chemicals are changed in your brain to give you a positivity boost so you automatically feel better and calmer in yourself. The first anti depressant doctors try, unless you have a contraindication profile is Prozac, which I found made me feel slightly odd at times, but mostly fine, chatty and extremely active. I did lose a couple of stone on it too, which was a bonus.

I hope you have some luck with your doctor, new or current, and you start feeling better soon. Good luck.

Answer 6

Well, for a start it might not be depression. When you're a teenager theres lots of hormones kicking about. Which can make you feel really down. I know I've felt like this. And so do most teenagers. So you're not alone.

As far as I know you have to be 18 to take anti-depressents. Because of the hormones in your body. They could end up making you feel worse. If you go to another doctor they won't give you anti-depressents.

How long were you getting counselling for? You can't expect results in just weeks. It takes time.

In my opinion, if you really do have depression. Don't just think that the drugs are going to help. You need to explore other options. But your mind seems set on the drugs.

And you say you're pretty sure you're depressed. Did your doctor not tell you you were depressed then? What did he say?

Hmm. Sorry, but in my opinion it might just be the hormones. I might be wrong. Teenagers do get clinical deppression.

Answer 7

Its a fact that you can become depressed at any age. I became depressed at 17 and have taken anti depressants on and off for the last 15 years. Its a good idea to talk to people and let them know how you are feeling and it can be a big help to confide in a stranger as they can only advise you on what the see in you and not what they already know about you. Does that make sense? Try to be positive and keep yourself busy and occupied. Medication does help by giving you a boost but can make you feel a bit strange for the first two weeks or so when you first start taking it. You will seem like the same person just a happier version! Try your best though to be positive, share your feelings and there's no such thing as a stupid question. Good luck

Answer 8

Hi there, I really do wish you had have given us more information, such as; How old you are & why you think you're depressed.
But having said that if you are seriously thinking you are depressed, age has no relivence what so ever. You should in my opinion change doctors.
If you find talking to a counsillor of no use to you, what does your councillor say? Does he/she think they can help you? However you have to have the right repore with him/her, if you don't feel comfortable, change councillors too.I know you are probably saying why talk about it, it doesn't change anything the problem is still there & that is sooo true. It is, however sometimes things get worse before they get better. With a good councillor who actually talks to you as well, can also tell you how to live with the problems that are causing this depression.
I don't understand a doctor saying you're to young to be taking anti depressants. You are old enough to go to the doctors alone by the sounds of it. Besides there is no age limit on depression, a kid could be 8 & be depressed. With all the different medications I've taken, I've never had any adverse side effects from any anti depressants, nor has anyone ever commented on my being any different, as in a bad way. But one must understand that medication ONLY COVERS up the symptoms, it's like drinking, it only hides it for a short time. You must realise that all those problems are still there festering away, better to try face them now, along with the help of medication short term IF that is what the doctor thinks best. As I said get a very good psychologist, one who is willing to talk as well as listen, it is important that you trust this person & have 100% confidence in them.
Is there noone else you can talk to nobody in the family or are they the problem?
Please do take care of yourself, don't give up hope. If you do start to feel it's all getting to much for you there must be a free call number for people to call for help 24hr a day. You don't have to go through this alone, so don't try to.
I hope to hear from you again one day answering someone elses problem saying I know exactly how you feel, make yourself goals. Hang in there mate.
Love
Erica (Sydney)

Answer 9

As you can see about 40% of people suffer with depression and have or recieved some form of medication and counselling.Counselling can be a hit or miss so try not to disregard it too quickly what i mean about a hit is you may find someone you can relate to a miss being like their on another planet or do you find it diffcult talking or pin pointing what may have triggered this depression could it be something that runs in your family as in genes depression is linked to a shortage of substances which carry messages to the brain one substance being serotoin another noradrenalin these can be treated with antidepression tablets and monitored by a gp i would approach your doctor again and stress you are on a downward slide generally this time of year depression suffers perk up i'm not aware of any clinics in london unless you went private i'm afraid the part you mention of thought changing is the chemical balance taking place with the brain so you find yourself with a half glass full rather than half empty which will make you seem more positive to other people so your questions you now know were not supid 40% remember please try your doctor again and if you can try spending time outdoors hope this helps abit so take good care and hopefully your be half full soon.

Answer 10

You say you're pretty sure your depressed but you don't mention if your aware of anything that is making you feel like this. As far as I'm aware there are two typical types of depression, one is brought on through things that happen to you in your life and the other is brought on through a lack of a certain chemical in the brain (unsure of the name of it). If your depression is brought on by the first, then your doctor is probably right in suggesting councelling as a first step. If it's through the second then you most probably will need to take some sort of medication. I suffered from the first instance and was put on various types of anti depressents, the worst of which was diasipan which is valium, it just knocks you out and doesn't really do anything to cure it. I finally saw a shrink who put me on a venlafaxine called Efexor, it gave me plenty of energy and stopped me feeling depressed. The course is supposed to last six months at which time you come of gradually, I tried coming of at this period but started slipping back into a depressed state so was told to carry on taking them. I finally came off after a year, I was fine then for quite a while but then started feeling depressed around Christmas time so started them again for a few months. That was over nine years ago and I haven't taken anything since. I have in this time come to terms with the things that were causing my depression and now wake up happy every day (which tends to drive people crazy). I think the more you suffer in life the less it takes to make you happy, and I feel a much stronger person nowadays. People have to remember that depression is an illness and it's no good just say pull yourself together as people that suffer from it can't do that. If you cannot think of anything that is making you depressed then I would mention to your doctor that you read somewhere that a lack of a chemical in the brain can cause it, and see what he/she says. If it is this then I'm sure your doctor could prescribe something, but ask him/her to prescribe something that's non addictive. If you get no joy with your doctor than change to another. I was very fortunate as mine, at the time, were the best doctors I'd ever had. I wish you well and a speedy recovery, and hopefully, when you come through this you will have the knowledge to pass on to someone else you meet in life that has the same problem.

Answer 11

Sorry your depressed and don't seem to be getting the support you need.
Either see your dr again or change, and explain what has happened.
You don't say how old you are, i know that they like to try anti-depressants as a last resort especially in younger patients as they can be addictive.
Depending on what anti-depressant you are prescribed the way you will feel will be different. Usually if they give you quite a low dose one then you don't really feel very different and people can't tell much different other then you are happier. They can help you deal with stress and anxious feelings much better and help you feel calmer about every day issues.
Other anti-depressants that are stronger do have worse side effects, you can feel a little out of it and sometimes people can see a difference, but i would think that if your dr has put of giving you any at the moment when they do start you on them you will not have a high dose.
Also you can just go on them for 6months, help you cope for that period and then they slowly take you off them, this has worked for several people i know, all these things are worth considering but please go back to your dr and have a good chat about how your feeling about your treatment.