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I'm 19 and just got diagnosed with depression :/?

Posted , 5 users are following.

charlotte0795
charlotte0795

Hey, I'm charlotte I'm 19 and got diagnosed with depression yesterday. I don't really know what to say, I feel like I went from being this "normal" 19 year old girl to feeling so... Isolated. I'm scared people are going to treat me like I'm crazyrolleyes

Nothing crazy in my life has happened to make me feel so low. I Just don't know what it is it's like my brain is constantly racing and I'm trapped inside and can't get outrolleyes

I'm really scared to start my tablets, I take my first one when I wake up tommorrow morning?

Just looking for advice and support and some friends to talk to xxx

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • deirdre._03652
    deirdre._03652 charlotte0795

    Posted

    oh Charlotte , please please don't worry... it is not something to be afraid of... nobody!!!will ever assume that you are crazy in and any way, shape or form.....depression is a chemical Imbalance in the mind, it is treatable very successfully with antidepressants... please do not be afraid to take them, you will not feel weird or strange, it will take about four weeks for them to be effective in your system, but. They can give you your life back and you Will feel so, so, so much better... I promise. Xx

    Make sure that you take them as prescribed, and you will be fine... depression is one of the most common complaints that both young and old suffer from... I wish you so much happiness back in your life, you can and will do it... you will be in my thoughts... ps. I have been on them for about fourteen yrs, I always take them, they have given me my life back.... bless you, Deirdre xxx

    • loxie
      loxie deirdre._03652

      Posted

      Hi Charlotte, I echo what deirdre has said, she's so right when she says you shouldnt feel afraid.  Any minor side effects you get from the meds will be nothing compared to how bad you've been feeling.  She's also right when she says that depression is often a chemical imbalance - you're not crazy, you have a physical problem that needs adjusting is all.  It doesn't always relate to any events or outside forces, sometimes our bodies just need a little fine tuning - just like a car for example, doesn't matter how well you look after it occasionally it will need more oil or a new battery etc., we humans are the same, sometimes we just have to repair something that's not working right, in the case of us who suffer from depression or anxiety, the solution can be as simple as taking the right medication.  Give them a while, again as Deirde as said, to kick in and hopefully you'll look back on the bad times as a distant memory and will find you'll feel much better very soon.  big hugs. xx
  • tony15730
    tony15730 charlotte0795

    Posted

    Sounds like you have a high level of anxiety as well. 1 in 4 People in the UK will suffer from depression, it's very common, not your fault and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. Statistically one third of suffers get better without medication and so often it will sort istswlf out. Have you looked at doing cbt? That is a talking theoropy Which is very good for overcoming anxiety. It's available free on the nhs so ask your gp about it, especially if your reluctant to take drugs. But remember you are normal and your mind can get unwell just like your body can.
  • charlotte0795
    charlotte0795

    Posted

    Hey! Thankyou for all the support, I just took my first tablet now smile feeling lazy and didn't want to get up haha! Yes I do have a counsellor aswell, I have my first phone appointment on the 27th x
  • pillsformedicin
    pillsformedicin charlotte0795

    Posted

    Hello charlotte, please don't worry and be relaxed. If you have been diagnosed with depression and it is detected early then it's good. You just follow your doctor's advice, take your medicine on time and do regular exercise to keep yourself fit.

     

  • Desperate_now
    Desperate_now charlotte0795

    Posted

    Try not to worry having the diagnosis does not mean you will always have it. As Deidre said it may be just a chemical imbalance in the brain which needs to be stabilised. Like many illnesses such as thyroid problems medication is needed to stabilise the condition. The plus side for depression is you do not have to be on the medication for life maybe just a few months, ok you would have to be weened off because like all tablets they do have side effects. Be rest assured you are not going crazy and you are able to lead a happy normal life. Think about it how many people you see on the street and I bet a hell of a lot of them are on antidepressants but there is no sign over their head saying so. No one would know only if you chose to tell them. I would recommend you confide in your friends for support particularly in early stages. 

    If the tablets are not very effective (they do take 4-6 weeks to start getting real benefit) there are other tablets or talking therapies as tony said, but give it a few weeks before you go down that line.

    we are all here to help

  • UK-Ven-medicate
    UK-Ven-medicate charlotte0795

    Posted

    Charlotte your not crazy and the NHS is very busy with a huge part of the pouplation on anti depressants. If you ever watch the screen at your doctor when the do the prescription it show a percentage usage of drugs prescribed and anti depressant are in some area 1000% up on prescribing.

    Life is a lot harder, and politics, money and world and it making people lives harder. Look at people like Robin Williams too and people like Stephen Fry who you think would be fine as they are supper stars.

    What have you been prescribed ? And as deidre say make sure you take it and if you have any side effects talk to someone straight away. I am off to counselling next month which is great way to off load to someone in partial

    • UK-Ven-medicate
      UK-Ven-medicate charlotte0795

      Posted

      20mg is a nice lol therapeutic dose. I m on 225 mg of venflaxine ( max dose prescribed by GP , you can go up if you see a specialist ). So your at least taking control of your life and you will begin to turn it around. At 19 years old you got so many things to be doing I can imagine.
    • charlotte0795
      charlotte0795 UK-Ven-medicate

      Posted

      Okay good, and oh wow that's a lot! Yeah I have so much going on right now think everything has piled on top of me for the moment x
  • deirdre._03652
    deirdre._03652 charlotte0795

    Posted

    Hi lovely Charlotte,

    I am so glad that you are on citralopram, it is an excellent antidepressant.I am on sertraline, both of these SSRI are good as they have very few minor side effects, if any at all. Also councillors are extremely helpful in very many different ways, you can be totally honest as to how you are feeling, and they will be a very valuable source of support...

    You have taken the hardest step ( well done xx) it is now onwards and :-Pwards to feeling completely and also much, much stronger and confident, EVERY day will be better and better.xxx I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world, please, please keep in touch on this forum as we would all like to know how you are doing..... I have three sons and a daughter, who is having a baby boy in six weeks time xx my three adult sons live with myself and my husband, as sadly all three have both mental health problems and also physical health problems.... we love them all more than words can say.... and lovely Charlotte, you mum and dad will feel the same love for you xx take care, love Deirdre xxx

  • sue99534
    sue99534 charlotte0795

    Posted

    charlotte, first of all. what is 'normal'? We are all diferent. You say you were diagnosed yesterday, in mid January. It may be  SAD with you too. If so, as the nights get lighter you should start to feel better,  Don't be scared, we are all with you. Take your tablets as prescribed, Don't expect to immediately feel better, they take time to get into your system. 

    Meanwhile, try to eat healthily, get exercise and fresh air and daylight. Listen to music. watch a comedy, read an uplifting book. Be good to yourself. x

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