Please answer. I told my mom about my depression and?

Question

Well, she won't take me to a doctor because he'll prescribe pills, and she says that the pills increase suicidal thoughts in children under the age of 18 and cause other problems as well. What should I do? How can I get better?

I'm 13.

Answer 1

He may or may not prescribe pills, more then likely he will send you to a therapist to talk about your depression before any pills are prescribed. Talk to your mom again, tell her that you would like to see a therapist, or go to your school counselor maybe they can help.

Answer 2

Perhaps your mother's concerns are real. Yet, that does not excuse her from not at the least seeking to have an evaluation of your concerns by a professional . If one loves someone they listen, take in the information, and not discount the concerns.. that is opening up a Pandora's box.. of possibilities .. If you are truly clinically depressed. Not being treated can lead to the very fears she has: Medication, Hospitalization and possible suicide... I have known many who have been treated , placed on medications and live normal happy lives. Others not, and and some are now not with us any more. I know she wants your best interests, but sometimes personal fears of ridicule, feeling she's not a good mother if her child is labeled is overriding her, or stigmatize of such.. Talk to a School counselor, the school nurse first.. if your mom won't listen. You know inside you better than she how much you are feeling concerned. Ask to see your family doctor if that doesn't work for a physical , to see if there are other factors causing the depression feelings. Some people have biological means which cause the depression. NOT all medications create or cause suicidal thoughts in children. and, truly if someone is depressed enough to want to commit suicide, no amount of medications will prevent such from happening either. I know from first hand experience. Talking to a professional, doesn't mean you are obligated too to taking the advise or medications if recommended.. There is so much to live for in life. Stresses come and go. We can learn new ways to cope, that will lessen the depression that not knowing may give. good life to you. I hope and pray you both find a balance of understanding and solutions. Avoidance, and denial never solves a thing. It only gets worse. There are other methods of treatment , talk therapy, and hypnosis. I was in care for over 20+ years with misdiagnoses after misdiagnoses. There was a person who specialized in trauma disorders who i saw , and i was evaluated using hypnosis. I wish i had met this person 21years earlier!.. Best results and have a happy,healthy life now. You need to trust your inner self , and your mom you, to knowing for now what is best. Don't fear what you don't truly know before you even get professional help. You may be fine, and just over stressed and concerned about things and nothing but, a new outlook and scenery can help.. Try a day or weekend in the mountains. camping.. get in touch with nature and nurture yourself,and get close to your mom and just be real and open and talk....

Answer 3

I don't know what the law entitles your mother to believe but if you have been diagnosed with clinical depression whether mild, moderate, or acute, it is your choice to pursue a remedy.

As a person who has been on medication since 1994 I will advise you to go into the process with an open mind. That is don't expect the first drug to work. Pay attention to how you feel and put it down in a journal. Your every feeling is important toward finding the medication that works best for you.

I tried a few that made me more depressed and I was 34 when I first became diagnosed, so they can cause bad thoughts in anyone.

Also, even when you find a medication that works for you, don't make the assumption that the pill will make everything better just by ingesting it. Selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) can do so much for someones mood. Stay active in things that are basically good for you like keeping a proper diet, some exercise, and healthy relationships.

I have known some people who take SSRI's but continue to engage in drug abuse, stay in abusive relationships, sit around and watch depressing shows or listen to violent music that aren't reaping the benefits of what the medication is meant to do.

I used drugs since 1972 and found a 12 step program in 2004 and have been totally clean since. And I tell you with every ounce of honesty a man can have that the medications have been able to help me as they should without the poisons I used to ingest along with them.

Be very careful about this but don't be scared. Try to deal with your mother as calmly as possible and don't make any foolish choices. Your health is very important and can't be avoided. My parents support my intake of medication only after I've shown improvement in my attitude and they were very skeptical of any kinds of treatment since I could remember. They thought people were born with their personalities and that simply choosing not to be depressed was the way to go.

I am certainly no doctor and I'm not qualified to give you any medical advice, but I do have my experience with it and I found my way through it by consulting with doctors and specialists who are trained to deal with these matters. I strongly suggest that you consult a doctor of your choice. Your mother does not need to be involved because she apparrently doesn't believe that you need this sort of treatment.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or concerns via the e-mail link on this site. I hope the very best happens for you.

Answer 4

She is right in the suicidal thoughts can increase but that is not to say they will, you are 18 i think you need to get a hold of this as soon as pos like going to your GP it can be a very controlling illness and stop you from living your life to the full, and at 18 you want the best quality of life you can get you should be having lots of fun and blowing all those nasty cob webs away so you can be yourself and shine i think it is worth a shot, i know its scary but your mum could keep a real check on how your feeling and you go and talk to her if you need to i advise going to the docs its best. You could also try alternative methods i am looking into that for myself shortly so cant help much there but it is another thought. best of luck hun just dont try to battle this on your own its not a good idea xx sorry read your age wrong yr 13 lol, but my advice is still the same x

Answer 5

You have to make her understand that depression is an illness that pills can help. I had a hard time making my mother understand that depression was not something i just made up. She too would not take me to the doctor until she saw the negative consequences of me not being on medication. I became very antisocial, suicidal and started using other drugs. It's true that studies have found that anti depressents increase suicidal thoughts but I think doctors can perscribe the wrong dosage and medication. Just explain to her the consequeses of not getting help.

Answer 6

First of all your mother is seriously misinformed. While their are meds out there that do cause all kinds of problems there are others the can be dosed specifically for children. Try to do some research and see what you can find. Maybe you would benefit from talk therapy. Mention that you think you would like to see a therapist. Do not let a regular doc treat you. You should only see a psych doc who is experienced in dealing with children. Maybe next time that you go to your regular doc you can mention to him that you are feeling depressed and ask him to talk to your mom on your behalf and see if she is willing to at least let you do therapy. Quite frankly I see your mother's disregard of your mental health as child neglect and you can show her this answer. You can also show her the rate of suicide among teens that don't get help with their depression. Show her the website that I will link here.

Answer 7

If your mother is object to western medicine and prescriptions, there are still holistic alternatives. Unless she is a holistic practitioner or a healer, she should really get you into someone who can help. The statistic for teens suicides are greater among depressed teens, rather than the ones who have experienced adverse side effects due to taking anti-depressants. The main reason a person will get severely suicidal due to taking a prescribed anti-depressant, is because the person is actually bi-polar and not depressed. a case for misdiagnosis. now, please tell your mom, again, gently, that you're having difficulty coping, or whatever it is you're taking as a personal sign of depression, and give her these websites for alternative treatment options & great information for you & her both. Hopefully this will help you two make an informed decision. There really is SO much information out there and SO many different kind of remedies to help depression and blue moods.

http://www.alternativedepressiontherapy.com/Holistic-Treatment-for-Depression.html

http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Depression/dep_home.htm

Answer 8

Meds CAN cause a higher rate of suicidal thoughts in people under 18 but not always. I started on meds when I was 15. Ask her to do some more research or do some yourself and give it to her. Tell her you would still like to see a councilor and if they think you need meds then they can take it up with your mom, you shouldn't have to. If she won't take you somewhere go to your school principle or consular and they can help direct you.

Answer 9

Anti-depressants decrease suicidal ideas.

The FDA warning is incorrect. Congressional hearings are set to investigate the burst of suicides in children and adolescents, since the issue of the warning by the FDA. The increase in suicide, especially in girls, came from the decrease in the prescribing of anti-depressants by scared off doctors.

She may take you to a specialist. It is not certain medications will be prescribed. Your mother may still refuse to give them after she has heard the facts, not the lies.

Answer 10

You can do therapy and meet with a psychologist without having to take pills. Ultimately the use of meds is up to you and your mom, not the doctor.

A psychiatrist is for meds. Avoid him, and just get some counciling with a psychologist. It'll help and you're halfway there by looking for it already.

Good Luck.