I suffer from bad depression what can I do?

Question

After a close person to me death I went crazy, I became mute, never to talk again, I write online but I cry everyday and I just won't eat. My parent took me to a doctor but I don't like doctors for many reasons. I have been though so much in my life that I even thought about killing myslef. Not only have I never had friends I was beet up by so many and raped at young ages. How can I go on living in this world?

I don't believe in taking pills

Answer 1

Once treatment for depression begins, you still have to manage on a day-to-day basis. Here are some guidelines:

See your doctor regularly. Your doctor can monitor your progress, provide support and encouragement, and adjust your medication if necessary.
Take your medications. Finding the best medication for you may take several tries. It may take several weeks for you to start seeing results. Once you feel better, continue to take your medication as prescribed.
Don't become isolated. Try to participate in normal activities.
Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet and get the right amount of sleep and exercise. Exercise can help treat some forms of depression, ease stress and help you relax.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. Abuse of alcohol and drugs will slow or prevent your recovery.

The development of newer antidepressant medications and mood-stabilizing drugs has improved the treatment of depression. Medications can relieve symptoms of depression and have become the first line of treatment for most types of the disorder.

Treatment may also include psychotherapy, which may help you cope with ongoing problems that may trigger or contribute to depression. A combination of medications and a brief course of psychotherapy usually is effective if you have mild to moderate depression. If you're severely depressed, initial treatment usually is with medications or electroconvulsive therapy. Once you improve, psychotherapy can be more effective.

Doctors usually treat depression in two stages. Acute treatment with medications helps relieve symptoms until you feel well. Once your symptoms ease, maintenance treatment typically continues for four to nine months to prevent a relapse. It's important to keep taking your medication even though you feel fine and are back to your usual activities. Episodes of depression recur in the majority of people who have one episode, but continuing treatment greatly reduces your risk of a rapid relapse. If you've had two or more previous episodes of depression, your doctor may suggest long-term treatment with antidepressants.

Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Doctors often consider selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro), as the first-line treatment for depression because they have fewer serious side effects. They seem to work by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain. Drugs similar to SSRIs include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as trazodone (Desyrel) and venlafaxine (Effexor), and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin).
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. These medications also affect neurotransmitters, but by a different mechanism than SSRIs. They may be used for any type of depression, be it mild or severe. Among tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), trimipramine (Surmontil) and a combination of perphenazine and amitriptyline. Tetracyclics include maprotiline and mirtazapine (Remeron).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These drugs, which include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters. The drugs have potentially serious side effects if combined with certain other medications or food products. Doctors rarely use them unless other options have failed. Your doctor may prescribe them if you have chronic depression and eat or sleep excessively.
Stimulants. Your doctor may initially prescribe a stimulant such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat) or modafinil (Provigil) if you can't take antidepressants because they're contraindicated due to another medical condition. These medications are also sometimes given in conjunction with antidepressants.
Lithium and mood-stabilizing medications. Doctors prescribe lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol) to treat bipolar depression. Medications called atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal) and quetiapine (Seroquel) were initially developed for treatment of psychotic disorders. Doctors sometimes also use them to treat bipolar disorder.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), certain antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. That's why the ADA recommends that doctors screen and monitor anyone taking Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa.

Not everyone responds the same way
Most antidepressants have a similar level of effectiveness. But a medication that works for someone else might not work for you. Doctors choose antidepressants based on your family history and the match between your symptoms and the medication's side effects. For example, if you have insomnia, a sedating antidepressant may help you. But if you're lethargic, then a more energizing antidepressant may be more helpful.

It can take up to eight to 12 weeks before you feel the full effects of an antidepressant, though you may feel some changes earlier. If your response to medication hasn't resulted in satisfactory progress after that time, your doctor may suggest either adding another antidepressant or replacing the first medication with another drug from a different chemical family.

Side effects of medications
As with any medication, side effects are possible. You may notice side effects before you can feel the drug begin to ease your depression. Most of the side effects from antidepressant are temporary and will disappear as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know about any side effects that interfere with daily functioning, or if they're especially bothersome.

SSRIs. Side effects that may occur with SSRIs and other new antidepressants include headache, nausea, insomnia, agitation or a jittery feeling, and sexual difficulties.
Tricyclic antidepressants. Older medications, such as tricyclics, may cause dry mouth, constipation, sexual difficulties, blurred vision, dizziness, bladder problems and daytime drowsiness.
MAOIs. These drugs can cause a significant increase in blood pressure if you eat foods high in tyramine, such as wine, cheese or pickles, or if you take certain drugs, such as decongestants, while taking an MAOI. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of foods and drugs to avoid.
Alcohol can interfere with the way your body absorbs antidepressants. Talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol while you're taking an antidepressant.

Concerns with children and teens
In children and teenagers, there's some concern that the use of antidepressants to treat major depression may lead to an increased risk of suicide — from about 2 percent for children not taking these medications to 4 percent for children taking an antidepressant for major depression. Physicians, parents and children need to weigh the benefits of these medications against the potential risks. Because of the increased risk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed manufacturers of antidepressants to include a warning on the medication that explains the risk and recommends that children be closely observed by their families, caregivers and physicians while on these medications.

Other treatments
In addition to medications, depression treatment may include:

Psychotherapy. There are several types of psychotherapy. Each type involves a short-term, goal-oriented approach aimed at helping you deal with a specific issue. Prolonged psychotherapy is seldom necessary to treat depression. If an underlying factor contributing to your depression is an inability to get along with others or difficulty finding your place in life, then prolonged psychotherapy could help you.

The success of therapy depends on finding a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist you're comfortable with. Both medications and psychotherapy can take weeks to have an effect. Specialized and supervised group therapy, such as bereavement groups, stress management classes, marital counseling and family therapy, also may help.

Electroconvulsive therapy. Despite the images that many people conjure up, electroconvulsive therapy is generally safe and effective. Experts aren't sure how this therapy relieves the signs and symptoms of depression. The procedure may affect levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. The most common side effect is confusion that lasts a few minutes to several hours. Some people experience some transient memory loss. This therapy is usually used for people who don't respond to medications and for those at high risk of suicide. It may be the only treatment available for severely depressed older adults who can't take medications because of heart disease.

Light therapy. This therapy may help if you have seasonal affective disorder. This disorder involves periods of depression that recur at the same time each year, usually when days are shorter in the fall and winter. Scientists believe fewer hours of sunlight may increase levels of melatonin, a brain hormone thought to induce sleep and depress mood. Treatment in the morning with a specialized type of bright light, which suppresses production of melatonin, may help if you have this disorder.

Answer 2

If you drink alchohol, lay OFF it.
Eat healthily as this corrects the chemical imbalances in your brain which cause depression.
If you spend TOO much time on-line surfing sites that you feel 'empathise' with you, that will also keep you 'down'.

There is no easy answer to depression, and everyone is different. But always remember that the feelings you have about yourself and your surroundings are NOT REAL.
They are thoughts that are formed in your imagination by chemicals in your brain.
I hope you've never taken mind-altering drugs like 'LSD'.
If you haven't, then you should research people who HAVE. you will then realise that your mind can be EXTREMELY cruel to you, and can play tricks all the time.

There is a link below that will take you to an on-line book, that if you take the time to READ it properly, could well help you in your situation.

Good luck. Pete.

Answer 3

I understand that losing some one you love is very hard when i was a senior in high school i lost 6 of my family members in a 9 month time it was hard it took a tool on me mentally and physically as well. You really need to find some one that you can trust in and talk to them but people deal with things in there own ways. But to hurt yourself is not the way to go i know to you it would seem like the end to all the pain but the truth of the matter is it would only cause more pain. I know that you do not want to go see a doc but they helped me they gave me a RX that helped me deal with what was going on in my head at the time.

Answer 4

If you don't believe in taking pills there isn't much you can do other than wait it out (if you have biplar disorder, which you could very well have, then you will have highs and lows). I would advise you to pray, as having some sort of hope and believing there is someone out there who cares might help. DON'T kill yourself. If you feel the need to release tension, squeeze ice cubes or smash (unwanted) china. I hope you do get better, and I wish I could help more.

Answer 5

I've suffered from severe depression for most of my life and can therefore emphasise with your situation (though I've never been beaten up and raped so you have more excuse to suffer depression than I).

I've been through all the anti-depressant medication, but no matter how much I take, my depression seems pretty much drug-proof.

Basically, I've just told myself, life wasn't meant to be easy. I mean, if it's crap, it's crap, no need to sugar-coat it. But because my depression is so real, it means that every small achievement I make (which for 'normal' people might be taken for granted) is a real and meaningful one - because I know deep down inside how much I had to overcome it. So I just doggedly suffer and endure against all adversity, and make myself tougher than I might otherwise have needed to be - because when you're suffering from depression, that's what you have to be.

Answer 6

Well i would tell you just kill yourself already and stop whining about it....but then if you really did kill yourself, and investigators came accross my message....won't look good on my part.

You can't change the past, but you can create your future. Dwelling and crying doesn't accomplish anything. Buy some running shoes, and start running. It will relieve stress and take your mind off things. Physical activity increases your seratonin levels naturally. You'll improve your overall well being. And you're going to have to start eating a healthy balanced diet.

One of the reasons you're a basketcase is because you're not eating, and lack of nutrition can cause depression. And can actually shrink your brain too.

And really, what will killing yourself do? Don't you want to see where life takes you? May as well find out what happens in your life...if its downhill now, it can only go uphill from here!

Seriously, take up some sort of physically activity and you will be much happier.

Answer 7

See the section on depression treatments/resource at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris. Enter "selective mutism" and "eating disorders" into the WebFerret search engine, or your search engine (type separately into the address bar and hit the "go" key"), or the Google or Wikipedia websites. Also, you may wish to make a photo album/scrapbook, and/or a shrine in remembrance of the person you lost, and choose one day per month on which to remember the times you were together. It may also help to journal your thoughts and feelings on that person. An appropriate website is http://talkingminds.15.forumer.com/ There is a section on grief depression at http://www.mental-health-abc.com/ and http://www.helpguide.org See http://www.rapevictimsupport.com and http://www.vaonline.org/support and http://www.rainn.org/ Contact Samaritan Women www.samaritans.org Email [e-mail] Phone (eventually) 1800 656 HOPE. Once you have learned how to find your center of consciousness through the meditation techniques, you will understand that there is at least one way of existing, without the emotional pain. Hopefully, you will then be more inclined to reach out to those who want to help you, instead of cutting yourself off from the world as a form of defence against being hurt. Accept that you had no control over, and were not to blame for the unfortunate events in your past, and should not blame yourself or punish yourself as a result. View http://www.coolnurse.com/self_ (.com/self_esteem3.htm) and http://www.more-selfesteem.com where there is also a section on self confidence. If you were to do online voluntary work, this would give you a solid basis in reality for the following daily affirmation: "I am a good person, and a valued member of my community, because I ............................." You can do this by going to http://www.thebrightside.org or proofread Ebooks one page daily for project Gutenberg at www.gutenberg.org or contact Amnesty International, and write letters in support of prisoner of conscience, which often stops their torture and enables their release. How can you go on, you ask? By realising the devastating effect on those who care about you, if you didn't. By realising that there are others like you out there, who need help, and YOU can work towards putting yourself in a position to help them, and in doing so, help yourself at the same time. At the very least, you are an intelligent person, with access to and the ability to use a computer to help solve your problems. You are also self aware enough to realise that you have a problem, (we all have them) and to actually do something about it, which gives me cause to be optimistic about your future. You are also fortunate, to some extent, to live in a land where there are many opportunities, and many hundreds of millions of people would give their right arms to be in your position. You are also fortunate in having someone in your life who cares about you (I no longer do, due to depression and substance abuse in my past). It is my fondest wish that, somewhere in the above, is a tiny spark that you can fan into an inferno. You may need the help of a good therapist somewhere along the way, but you can start the journey now. Any limited help I can offer is available by emailing me at: [e-mail] - I am in Australia, which is a different time zone from most other places, and often forget to check my emails as often as I should, but I always get around to it eventually, so never expect a prompt reply, although you can rely on getting a considered response. It is important that you eat a balanced diet, though, since your brain needs good nutrition to function anywhere near its peak, so please have a balanced meal now, as a way to begin progressing towards being better.

Answer 8

Please understand that there is more to life than to indulge in self pity.

Better still free your mind.... But becareful of morhping into symptoms of panic attack.

Best thing to do is to listen to music that you always like. Take up a new hobby. Even simply just by walking around your neighbourhood can do wonders for you.

Here are some tips you can take if you are depressed.
http://www.squidoo.com/controlpanicattack and http://tinyurl.com/2fvu3r

Answer 9

Dont try to look to the world from its negative side just try to make what relaxes you .

Answer 10

i suggest that you should pray everyday to GOD because HE'S the only one who can help you. Do things that you want and forget the past but cherish that person.good luck!