Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi,
I'm new to this and have never posted anything on a forum before.
I have resently started online therapy and my councelor wants me to go to the doctor and get antidepressants as she thinks I'm suffering from depression. I have never been able to talk about my feelings and stuff (hence speaking to a Councillor via messages instead of face to face) and the thought of talking to a doctor panics me. I also don't like the idea of being on medication. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
0 likes, 10 replies
sarah78348 Midnight343
Posted
Hi, I've been on medication for depression for a number of years now and it has been very helpful. However it is of course different for everyone and you need to find the right medication for you. I felt scared when I first took antidepressants and you can sometimes feel worse before you get better. Unfortunately in order to get that far you have got to see a doctor. They are usually very understanding and will do their best to help you. It is daunting but there really is no other way. Perhaps your online counsellor can give you advice on how to overcome this so you can see a doctor. Best of luck xx
Midnight343 sarah78348
Posted
Hi,
Thanks for your help. I don't think I could cope with this getting worse. Are you also getting counselling? I really don't want to just be taking medication and not learning to talk about stuff. Have you suffered any side effects of the medication?
Thanks again
sarah78348 Midnight343
Posted
Hi, Yes I am getting counselling as well as being on medication. It has been very helpful. The only side effects I have from the meds is sleep problems. It's different for everyone though and you may not experience any problems. As I said before it is about finding the right medication for you. Good luck xx
Celia9050 Midnight343
Posted
Hi.
You should take your psycologist's advice. If speaking to a doctor panics you, how do you get treated when you're ill? Do you mean psychiatrist? What brought you to online counseling? What symptoms were you having? Take the step. You can do it! If major depressive disorder goes untreated it can lead to other problems with your social life. Like diffulty with a relationship, job loss, etc. Just saying because it happened to me. You can be depressed or feeling sad and not have MDD. Maybe talking with your doctor face to face will help versus textingx
or talking to a psychologist on the phone. I mean your primary care physician. They can prescribe antidepressants if need be. Baby steps!
Midnight343 Celia9050
Posted
Hi,
Thanks for your help. I don't go to the doctor if I'm ill I just put up with it till I feel better I guess I have been hoping that this depression would go away eventually too without treatment but it doesn't seem to be. I went to online counselling as I have been down for a few months and it is getting worse. I have been having suicidal thoughts and needed to do something but really can't deal with talking face to face with someone.
Thanks
Patient Midnight343
Posted
Hi Midnight343
We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.
If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.
Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.
If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.
Kindest regards
Patient
lucy1969 Midnight343
Posted
I totally understand how frightening it is to talk face to face about this. I put it off for a long time and it just got worse and worse until I had a total breakdown and ended up on a psych ward. I'm not saying this will happen to you but it is a good reason to see a doctor before you hit rock bottom.
What I did was to write down how I was feeling and give it to the doctor when I walked in. It was easier to answer questions than to start the conversation from scratch.
Medication doesn't work for everyone and sometimes you may need to try a few before you find what works for you. But when you find the right one it can really help combined with therapy.
You can do it. You're worth the effort, never forget that. Good luck and hang in there.
Midnight343 lucy1969
Posted
Hi,
Thanks for your help. I guess I don't feel that I am worth the effort and have been putting off getting help for a while. I keep hoping that I will get better without having to go to the doctor. It's a good idea to write down how you were feeling. How are you now? Are you on antidepressants?
Thanks again for your help
lucy1969 Midnight343
Posted
Of course you're worth the effort, even if it's hard for you to believe that.
I have good days and bad days now. But the bad days are easier to cope with now that I have the support I need. It felt awful having a breakdown so publicly as I'd hidden my depression for so long. But I look back now and realise that it's so much easier when people know. I don't have to explain myself when I take to my bed or walk around the garden at 3am because I can't sleep because of the thoughts running around my head.
I'm on several medications now. They haven't stopped it but they've helped to get me to a place where I can make the most of the talking therapy. I've been told I'll probably be on medication for life but if it helps me to live life I'm ok with that.
sam18386 Midnight343
Posted
Hi Midnight snap in terms of depression and counselling and not wanting to take medication. I get round this via Yoga. Yoga is s great way to relax that or mindfulness. My counselling is specific and i only see my doctor if I'm absolutely desperate! I hope you don't end up taking antidepressants, I've never believed in them. I was put in them years ago when my Grandfather died but was left on them for years. I now refuse to take them! I hope you get the support you need.
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