talking about depression

Hi
I think I have been depressed now for about 6 months, & I have never told anyone about it. Today I sucked it up and finally called the doctor to make an appointment. I don't know how to broach the subject with him though....and is it okay to suggest a specific medication? I've been doing research online, and wellbutrin seems to be the only medication that has side effects that I can deal with.

Also, I have no idea how to talk about it with my friends/family. I don't want them to think less of me, or to feel sorry for me. I also do not want them to think I am always sad, when I am happy again. My parents I think will be especially hard to tell. I am 20 years old and living away at school, so it is not hard not to tell them, but I feel odd taking medication and not telling them. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have never talked about this before with anyone, so I really have no idea what to do. Thanks so much!

Hi,I don't know very much what to say for u,I kind of know what u are going through ,I'm 15,i don't know very well if I have or I don't have depression ,I'm starting conselour at school,but now in vacation I don't go ,and I just went there 3 times I think.
You don't have to be that afraid of telling them this,because,everybody have their problems you know,u are not God,so u do have problems too.
They will maybe fell sorry for u ,but this is something that u can't change ,because they care about u,if they don't they wouldn't even think if u are sad or not.
U have to talk to them open,saying the reasons,and stuff,do u go to a psychologist ?If u don't go,before taking ant medicine,maybe if u talk u don't need it.
I think in all posibilities before any medice u know.
So...That's it ,i'm not the best person to add something.
All my hopes
B

Hey I'm 22 and have been on an anti-depressant for 7 months now.

Sure, you can suggest a medication to your doctor but there are many medications out there available for use. Whatever you suggest your doctor will probably choose another though....hehe


You did not say why you think you are depressed. Can you tell us? Talking openly on this forum could be the first step to being able to talk openly about this to your parents. PM me if you want. I will warn you though - Telling your parents can take a turn for the worse if your mom is the over-protectve type.


What else was I going to say....Oh yeh. The doctor's appointment. Your doctor will be experienced in this field so don't worry about having to initiate the conversation. He / she will ask the relevant questions to you. Answer them truthfully ok....You just have to.

Hello, I’m 38 and have been diagnosed with severe manic depression. I am glad to hear that you have called your doctor. What you have done is a very important first step. The next step is to show up for your appointment. I have learned from my own experience, that depression is not something you can treat by yourself. I would suggest that you make a list of what your feelings/daily habits have been lately to your doctor. This list should include sleep habits (how much or little), eating habits, general mood, any thoughts of harming yourself or others, any excessive behaviors (spending sprees, heighten sexual urges). This list will give your doctor an idea as to what is going on with you. As far as telling you want to say to others, I’m facing the same dilemma as you. I would like to let associates know what I am going through, but are afraid of how they would react. I believe my family, outside my wife and children know I have been through a treatment program but not sure if they know of my diagnoses. I have gone through a combination of medication, cognitive therapy, and anger management counseling. I am now only on medication and see my psychiatrist 3 times a month. Lately I have found myself slipping back into some of my old habits, so I am planning on making a list myself to bring with me on my next appointment. I am also looking into joining a local support group for depression and bipolar disease. This way I would have a chance to discuss issues with people that know what I am going through.

Anonymous wrote:I think I have been depressed now for about 6 months, & I have never told anyone about it. Today I sucked it up and finally called the doctor to make an appointment.

This was tough, wasn't it? It was really tough for me too.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know how to broach the subject with him though....and is it okay to suggest a specific medication?

Sure. Why not? In many cases, the doctor is merely making an educated guess as to which medication is most likely to have a therapeutic effect on you. I would recommend that you ask the doctor specific questions about any medication(s) which interests you. Ask him/her about the most common side effects, how other similar patients have fared on it, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Also, I have no idea how to talk about it with my friends/family. I don't want them to think less of me, or to feel sorry for me. I also do not want them to think I am always sad, when I am happy again. My parents I think will be especially hard to tell. I am 20 years old and living away at school, so it is not hard not to tell them, but I feel odd taking medication and not telling them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Yeah, I feel this way too right now.

don't be afraid, it's ok to cry, and if they thnk that you are less of a person, or dumb, then they aren't your real friends, glad to know youa re getting help:) and the doc will prescribe what he may think is right:) good luck, i hope it all goes well for you:)

i hope you get the help and meds you need ,
im 33 and iv been on fluoxetine for 3 months now and the doctor has just told me that fluoxetine are the wrong meds for me . so the doctors dont allways know the right pills to give out!!! good luck ...............

my doctor is pretty smart and i think that he adminstered me the correct medications. now i just need to work on taking them more consistently lol right now i am having trouble making myself take the risperdal that is a drug that i really do not like. i think that i am going to have to tell the doctor that he is pretty good at listening to me.