Medication

Ive been having problems with depression lately, its been seriously effecting my life.

Ive talked to several people who, in the same circumstances, have taken an anti-depressant and theyve dramatically improved. I would like to start on an anti-depressant (Zoloft or such).

But I have a couple problems.

I live at home which means I am dependant on parents for medical matters. Both of them feel that depression is just people's way of getting attention and that anti-depressants are just sugar pills that the drug companies make to soak money out of people. They wont listen to doctors, psychologists, to them depression is just a fad.

Also, I have no medical insurance so any medication I get will be very expensive.

Which brings me to the third problem. Money, I have almost no money and I cannot afford to goto the doctor, get a prescription and fill it.

I have no idea what to do but I HATE being like this, I want to do something to help myself.

Hey Antonious,
It sounds like you're in a very difficult position right now, and I'm so sorry; I wish I could do more to help. It's not fair for anyone to be in so much pain without being able to get help. Could you try sitting your parents down and seriously talking to them about how depressed you've been feeling? You could find out statistics and facts and such about depression, and try your best to convince them that it's a medical problem in the brain, and it's not something that can be helped without a lot of medical support. Maybe if they knew to the extent of how you've been feeling, they would consider letting you try counseling, and if they got a good impression of the counselor and saw that it was actually helping, they might listen to him/her if he/she said that you should be on anti-depressants? I hope that this helps at least a little bit. But whatever you do, don't give up!!!!!!!
Good luck, and take care of yourself! It's good that you know what you need, so don't be afraid to do whatever you need to do to get it.

With my parents its kinda like "I cant see it so it doesnt exist."

If I started presenting facts, my dad would just wave his hand and go "Ahhhh thats total crap."

Ive tried talking to them before. They just dismiss anything I bring up as being "#######4"

Hi Antoninus,

I was in a situation similar to yours. Do you happen to be a college student? The reason I ask is that if you are, you can use the student health services of your university. That's what I did. I paid a one time fee and recently saw someone about my depression. You can get free or discounted meds as well as free counseling. Student insurance is offered as well.

If you're not a student, then I would call the local mental health clinic and ask what someone in your situation can do.

I totally understand about the parents/family. I did such a good job (apparently) of hiding my depression for 10 years that no one believed me when I finally told them.

Keep your chin up, it will get better.