is there any where else i can get help for depression?

Question

i have been suffering depression for a while now, my doctor just keeps giving me pills for it.
these make me tired and sleepy all the time, it is like he is not intrested in helping me get over this, i have tried talking to my family & friends but they seem to back off as if it is something contagious.
i want to get better, but feel so alone all the time, my life just seems so empty and pointless just now, is there any point in living.
in th last year i have lost eveything i loved and worked for,my wife, my kids, my career, my home and all my self respect.

Answer 1

I'm glad you took the time to ask that question..that shows you really do want to get better* You've made the first step, be proud of that~
Secondly, you need to call your mental health clinic perhaps at your hospital, and go see a phyciatrist/phycologist. I know the name of the place doesn't sound too appealing, but it is a wonderful place that can set you up with counselling with the phycologist, and the phyciatrist will monitor the Right medication for you. The medication will take a few weeks )4-6weeks) to really start showing you a difference, but after a week, you'll really notice the difference. Your mood will be elevated and your outlook on things will begin to rise. With the counselling you can work through all your losses that have come your way in the past year....(wife, kids, job, home and the ultimate...your self respect).
Life must seem like it's not worth it at the moment, but you need to pick yourself up, make that call tomorrow to the hospital and ask for their mental health unit...(you dn't have to check yourself in or anything...you just want counselling and the phyciatrist to prescribe something for your depression. YOu feel like you've hit rock bottom, but Trust me* once you take these steps..You'll See that Life IS Worth Living..You can rebuild your life, (maybe not with your wife..but your life isn't over because you two arn't together....ppl change....it just isn't meant to be perhaps that you and her spend the rest of your lives together...but Always Remember, no matter what you still have your kids who Love you* and most of all Your Self Respect Back~* Life I promise, will change in a Better Way for You* You Can Do This*!!!! May the ANGELS Always Be With You*~
Best WIshes*

Answer 2

It sounds like things are damn tough for you at the moment. Family can often feel uncomfortable talking about depression and tend to shy away from it - my sister can not handle my depression at all. There are some organisations out there that can offer help to you - MIND is a great organisation that can help you understand what you are going through. Also RFET is a charitable organisation that offers support in work issues and mental health. I find them to be very supportive.

In terms of helping improve your mood - it sounds like the meds you are on are not effective - often it takes (too) much time to get the right combination. Perhaps you could go back to the docs and explain how you are feeling by writing a mood diary - what you feel on a day to day basis... if he is still unwilling to help I would suggest you change docs or ask for a second opinion at your surgery. Have you been referred to specialist support at the hospital?If not push for this. I have a CPN who supports me and this is invaluable.

At the moment you are feeling at your lowest - please get help know that you have an illness - and like any other illness you need support and help...... As a fellow sufferer I am here if you need support via email. I send my sincere best wishes to you....

Answer 3

Even when pills help, they are not the answer. They can help make the symptoms manageable, but for long-lasting change in whatever the underlying issues are causing your depression, you probably need good psychotherapy. Talking to friends and family is always difficult - they're involved with you and will feel uncomfortable about your state, especially if they feel they 'should' be able to help, but can't.

I would push your doctor to refer you for psychotherapy or, if you can afford it, find someone through (if you're in the UK) the UK Council for Psychotherapy (http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk ) or the British Confederation of Psychotherapists (http://www.bcp.org.uk ) Anyone one these lists has been through a full training, is registered with the professional body and bound by the code of ethics. I very much hope you are able to do this - psychotherapy is not an easy ride, but as you've discovered, when you're that down there are no quick fixes.

Answer 4

screw the pills and go to get a skipping-rope and a cycle and running shoes and start jogging so u feel great inside and at night time think of why u were depressed and what changes you may have to make to ur lifestyle that can give u a more positive outlook, reflect on things you would want to improve on whether its a hobbie or social or personal skills. and another thing u can moan to ur family as long as u want, they can not do anythin that is the reality, they can support but thats it. Sometimes, times like this brings out a strong and determined person. its good you know u have a problem but its somethin no-one can help you with . The rest is up 2 u. becuz u got to prove to yourself not the world that you are strong.


also do things that make you happy a hobby or try and re-establish your relationship with kids and a friendly relationship with your ex, as for work maybe a bit of time out to figure things out is what u need and what career path u want- age is irrelevant

Answer 5

i really sympathise with u hon. a few years ago i had to leave my job because of stress... it led to me having a nervous breakdown that lasted about 2 years, but i still have some problems with it, even now (6 years later)

i found that treatment for depression is very much hit & miss on the NHS service... a lot of it depends on how clued up on mental health issues your Doctor is. if u are not happy with that particular doctor - ask the receptionist who she would personally reccomend as being the best doctor to see. that's what i did, and i managed to find a doctor who was genuinely interested in helping me, and not just fobbing me off with more anti depressants.

ask the doctor to put u on the waiting list to see a counsellor. at least that way u can talk to someone who will fully understand what u are going through... also ask if your local hospital has any support groups for people with anxiety / depression problems. i was lucky enough to live near a hospital that ran relaxation and stress management classes... it was also good because i was able to talk to other people going through similar problems, so i didn't feel so alone.

i know what u mean about people treating u as though u have the plague. most of my so-called friends vanished without trace when i was ill. it's not your fault. it's all down to their inability to deal with the problems you are facing.

life is worth living hon. i attempted suicide when i was at my lowest, but i was found in time, and taken to hospital. had i actually managed to kill myself, i would have never had the chance of being a mother... my son makes everything worthwhile.

i'm assuming that the relationship between you and your kids mother must have come to an end ? well, at least u still have your kids. ok - so u no longer live with them, but u are still their father. it would devestate their lives if u were to take your own life. they would never get over that. more than likely it would cause them to suffer from depression at some point in their life - and i'm sure u would never want your children to go what u are going through right now.

go see a different doctor hon. tell them how bad things are - including your thoughts of suicide. they tend to be more helpful if they know just how bad things are.

good luck. feel free to leave me a message on my 360 or an offline IM if u ever need to talk to someone. please take care of yourself. x

Answer 6

been there,

never wanted to harm myself or others though.

you are not being ignored, it takes time to get over it


took you a long while to get to this stage, are you going to be better overnight? HUH?


keep taking the tablets (I was on venlafaxine) (1st lot of tablets, other name, forget which, made tongue swell up, ha ha)

yes I lost the lot as well, now I live in rented accomodation, BUT, I have been off the tablets for a while, and I remarried a nice lady

hang in there, I have new job and new life, still see kids

Answer 7

If you have low sertonin levels the best thing you can do is exercise, this creates sertonin so the need for antidepressants is little to nothing. If you are on SSRIs becareful with withdrawal, take the dose down very slowly over several weeks
Good luck

Answer 8

you could seek out alternate therapy such as massage, meditation, counselling, the list is endless!
As far as i am concerned, pills should be the last option. There are so many things in most peoples lives that could potentially be impacting their health and well-being.
When you find yourself in your hole, you have to DIG your way out of it. Be pro-active and take back some control. Make time to do things you enjoy.
Everyone deserves a happy life and i truly believe it is attainable, no matter who you are.

Answer 9

i totally feel you. especially with the medicines. i took tons of meds for dep and all they did was make me sleepy too. so now i'm trying alternative natural meds like omega-3 fish oils. studies have proven they really help. i just started them so i cant tell if they are working yet but i'll let u know. u should try them.

Answer 10

i have depression, but i don't take pills... instead i talk to ppl when i'm feeling down... if they don't seem to b very supportive or anything like that.. then i write or draw about how i'm feeling... u can always talk to me too if u want to!

find things that help u when u feel depressed... write or draw, exersize, mediate, talk with someone.. know that ur not alone and there will always b someone to help!