i need advice, i suppose...?

Question

i'm depressed (i guess). i've never been to a doctor about it, but i've learned to live with it.

anyway, my parents have been noticing that i'm depressed and they want to take me to a psychologist or psychiatrist or something, and i wouldn't really mind talking to someone, but i don't want to be put on medication.

and here's why: i've felt depressed for a long time, and i've really fashioned my life around it. i'm "happy" sometimes i guess. there are a few times when i'm not depressed though, and those are the really bad times, because at these times, i'm not depressed, but i'm not happy. i'm just empty and emotionless and i hate it. it sounds crazy, but it's worse than being depressed.

so i guess i have two questions: what is the likelihood a doctor will put me on anti-depressants (i'm 16 f w/ history of depression in the family), and do you think the meds will make me feel empty again?

and i'm not going to kill myself or anything, so don't give me sh*t about that

Answer 1

I've had similar experience all my life. Only I didn't go get help until I was much older. They threatened to put me on medication, but I refused. I mean, they can't force you to take the pills.
I think you should see the counselor. Maybe they can help you just by talking through some things. Maybe they will prescribe you pills. You can refuse to take the prescription, or you can take it. You can try it for a while and decide how it works, or not.
In my experience, most people who take the prescription benefit from it.
I didn't trust the psychiatrist who made the prescription because she used the words "once we hook you up, you'll be ok." As soon as I heard that, I said, "What do you mean by hook?" And there wasn't anything she could do to convince me to take the prescription slip from her after that. Besides, she smelled bad.
My therapist continued with me for a while, then told me we were finished. I haven't had a significant problem since, though I don't think my bi-polar or depression problems have disappeared.
Good luck!

Answer 2

if you don't want mediacation you should see a psychologist or a counselor known as a social worker. These people can listen to you and get down the problem if it is a mental thing. Getting on antidpressants doesn't really get to the root of the problem. It just rebalances your serotonin in you brain. But there are natural ways of doing this suikng tryptophan that stuff in turkey that make syou go to sleep.
Tryptophan makes serotonin and eating a little more protein in your diet can perhaps help reblance you. I would relaly find a nutritionist that deals with depression. A lot of times depression is simply due to mineral and nutrional deficiencies. I have anxiety and depression attiems an Inotice that i sually get it when i eat certain foods or don't eat certain foods. The big four the biggest prlbems. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. A lack iin any one of these or too much of one can cause depression. These four minerals are really important when it comes to depression and anxiety.

Answer 3

Ask your parents to take you to a psychologist who will be willing to do CBT, cognitive behavourial therapy. For people with clinical depression and anxiety CBT has the exact same sucess rate as antidepressant medication without the high levels of relapse after the therapy is over. It'll take about 6 weeks, but after that your psychologist might reccomend that you continue with the therapy and/or consider seeing a psychiatrist for medications.

If you really don't want to go on medication, you have the right to refuse treatment. I don't know about the laws in your area, but at 16 you should have that right. All adults do have this right unless they are an immediate threat to themselves or others and you are not so far from 18 that you don't deserve this basic human right to refuse psychiatric medications.

Answer 4

More than likely a doctor will want to put you on meds asap (and they can work) but if you feel you want to express yourself without having your emotions influenced by drugs then insist on seeing a therapist or a counsellor. Your family sound supportive so they will probably be glad that you want to try talking to someone. Good luck and be strong.

Answer 5

Find a therapist/counselor who you feel comfortable with and resolve these 3 things.

1. Reflection- why am i so depressed? (genetics, personal problems or both)

2. Direction- what are some ways i can end my depression? (medication, correcting faulty thinking, increasing physical activity, etc.)

3 Action- find what works for you and get started eliminating your depression!

Answer 6

Sometimes people feel empty because they are empty.

As proverbs says, your thoughts shape who you are.

Do you want your thoughts shaped by whats on TV or other media, or by some biochemical action from a pill?

The side effects of those medications are not honestly reported, once you get a mental lable (the media makes it look fashionable, just like tobacco companies show heros smoking cigars or cigarrettes) your under the control of corrupt mental health system.

The vast majority of people given a depression or mental health label are mislabeled for marketing reasons, its a nationwide market.

In the bible its called Sorcery, the misuse of science and medicine. Don't fall for it.

Answer 7

See depression treatments/resources at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2 & 1: note info on antidepressants - you don't have to take them! Use the multi pronged approach to treatment. Relaxation/cognitive or other therapy/exercise/diet & supplements/occupational therapy/possibly herbal remedies.

Answer 8

Go to therapy at least, it will help alot. The meds will probably make the empty feeling go away.