I think im depressed not sure what 2 do?

Question

I think ive been depreesed for the last few years but never done anything about it (im 18) Should i go to the doctors and get antidepressionts, im just constantly miserable, Even if my life is actualy quite good at the time i never seem happy.

Answer 1

aww, hey we all go through depressing times in our life. try these to work out your depression

1. Live more in the moment
Thinking about the past or the future is what we get anxious about. Rarely do we panic about the present moment. If you find yourself dwelling on something that either has already happened or has yet to occur, remind yourself that the only thing you have control over is the present. That's really the only thing that counts. Be proactive and avoid seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance, Dennis says. "You can't sit around waiting for someone to do something good for you. If you want something out of life you need to get out and get it."

2. Practise positive affirmation
Tell yourself you are strong, says Dennis. Practise saying positive things about yourself over and over and over. In the morning, wake up and say something positive. Have that be your very first thought of the day. Even if you don't believe it, or if it's a harried Monday morning and you've woken up late for work, starting your day off with a positive affirmation will help set up your day on a good note.

3. Believe in the power of positive thinking
This one may seem pretty obvious, but it's one that many people overlook. If you think positively, positive things will happen. "It's a universal law, just like gravity," Dennis says. Alternatively, if you are constantly thinking negative thoughts, don't be surprised when negative things happen. It takes a tremendous amount of work to change our thinking to a positive frame of mind, but it's worth all the effort, she says. "If you tell yourself your life is bad, it will be. It's that simple."
4. Don't dwell
Look at what's upsetting you, fix it and move on. If it's already happened, you unfortunately can't go back and change it, so dwelling on it and lamenting about what could or should have been is a waste of time and energy and just makes you feel worse about yourself. Accept whatever it is that happened and then move forward, Dennis says. It's amazing how light you will feel after dropping some of your emotional baggage.

5. Focus on the positive
Start a gratitude journal, Dennis suggests. Whether in the morning or at night -- or both -- jot down five or six things you are grateful for. They can be big or small or something as simple as "It was sunny out today" or "I had a great lunch." As long you do it on a regular, consistent basis it can help shift your negative thinking to positive. Whenever you're feeling low, go back and read your journal to reaffirm all the great things you have in your life. When we feel negative we have a tendency to forget all about what we already have and focus instead on what we don't.

6. Get moving
Exercise is paramount for feeling good because it releases endorphins, Dennis says. Whether its a walk around the block or a 10-kilometre run, activity makes us feel good in spite of ourselves. Chances are, if you're feeling low and you do even 15 minutes of activity, you'll feel better afterwards.

7. Face the fear
Negativity comes from fear, Dennis explains. "The more afraid of life you are, the more negative you tend to be." If you fear something, do it anyway. Fear is a part of life, whether we like it or not, but we all have a choice as to whether to let it stop us. Facing our fears helps to build self-esteem.

8. Try new things
Being open to trying new things also helps to build self-esteem, Dennis explains. By saying yes to life you are giving yourself more opportunity to grow and learn. Avoid the "yes, but" mentality. New experiences, big or small, help make life more exciting and provide fulfilment.

9. Shift your perspective
When something doesn't go well, find a way to reframe it in a more positive perspective. "In every challenge there's a gift, and in every gift there's a challenge," Dennis explains. Even though it can be very difficult, try to look at the good that can come from challenges. Otherwise, it's very easy to sink into despair or sadness. Do whatever you can to stay positive when times are tough.

hope you feel better :]

Answer 2

It's possible that you have an endogenous depression; but other things could be happening too.

This is how I would proceed:

1. Have a thorough physical; blood tests and all.

2. Rate your mood 1 - 10 (best I ever felt) for a couple of months and keep a record of your menstrual cycle as well - see if there is a pattern to the depths of your lows.

3. If you agree to take any anti-depressant medication then also begin counselling with someone with whom you feel comfortable. The medication provides just a window during which therapy can be effective.

4. Make a point of giving something to someone every day - some of your time; some of your thought and effort. Do kindnesses towards others - direct some of your thinking and energy away from yourself.

5. Feed at least one of your senses a treat every day - an aroma; a taste; have a massage; look at beautiful pictures; watch a comedy; listen to soul lifting music... your brain only knows what it perceives. Give it good sensations.

6. Forbid yourself to watch any current events or news on TV or in reading material - for at least 6 months. The world won't stop turning because you're ignoring it; but watching sensationalized sadness over which you have no control can be a real downer.



All the best :)

Answer 3

I had exactly the same thing. I knew i had mild, but chronic depression for about 10 years before I did something about - what a waste. I didn't need to suffer through all of that. When i finally talked to the doctor and was prescribed an antidepressant, the depression decreased substantially in a couple of weeks, and continued to slowly disappear all together over the next year.

Your choices for treatment are counseling, antidepressants, or both. What works best is trial and error. Now that you realize you are depressed, the important step is to go ahead and do something about it. I started on Prozac. It worked for the depression, but it had too many side effects - mainly disrupting sleep, becoming tired during the day, and it caused my muscles to ache. The doctor switched me to Welbutrin, and that stuff works like a happy pill. It too has side effects - constipation in my case, but this is controllable by taking a mineral supplement.

Go for it! Get to the doc and try out an antidepressant. Be prepared to try several before finding one that stops the depression without causing unacceptable side effects. You have to take control of this aspect, and let the doctor know if something isn't working for you. Based on my experience, i suggest starting with Wellbutrin.

Answer 4

Yes, an appointment with your doctor is a good place to start. Your doctor should first rule out any physical causes for the way you have been feeling before treating for a depression.
You might consider seeing a therapist. Often therapy works very well without the need for medications. It never hurts and is almost always helpful for anyone, depressed or not.

Answer 5

If you are constantly unhappy for no apparent reason at time or most of the time, YES Go to the doctor!!!! Explain your symptoms and what your feeling and be completely honest. It is for your own benefit. You may have a depression that can progress into further complications, such as Bi-Polar. No fun that comes with dramatic mood swings. I have plenty of experience with it all. Go to the doctor and see what they say.

Answer 6

You can go see your doctor and talk with them about options around medication for depression. Ask about posible side effects from the medication. Depression is more than just feeling gloomy, it is a chemical change that goes on in the brain and if you do have this then you should seek help. Does depression run in your family i would ask .

Answer 7

Its just a phase called growing up. Nothing satisfies, nothing seems of interest. We all went through those times but you will be fine. Find something you like and focus on that.Then the rest will follow. If that doesn't do the trick then go seek some professional help. Or, you could try church. That always makes my day better.I hope all works out for you

Answer 8

Yes go to your doctor and talk to him, the longer you wait, the worse it gets, believe me, i went for almost 2 years with no meds and i wish i had gone sooner, its nothing to be embarrassed by its a chemical in your brain that you don't have enough of................. Don't listen to the person up there that said they are more trouble cause they are not, people that say that are the ones Who has NEVER been through it, I have an i understand what you are saying and YES please go see your doctor.

Answer 9

I would go to the doctor. If you are feeling sad even when things are good it could likely be depression, but only a doctor can tell you that. I wish you happiness.

Answer 10

The doctor will ask you a few questions and then that will detriment if you have depression and the prescribe meds for you as well