Anyone ever been diagnosed depression??

Johnnytoxic · 9 May 2008 at 21:26

Going see my doctor about it next week as it's been affecting me for quite a while now. Taken me ages to actually phone up as its hard to admit it.

Don't know what to expect at all.

Darkwave · 9 May 2008 at 21:28

If my diagnosis is anything to go by then you can expect various courses of weak medications, if you don't improve then you can expect to be referred (with your consent) to a psychiatrist/counsellor.

Freeman · 9 May 2008 at 21:30

No I'm too happy!

woop woop woop!

gillywibble · 9 May 2008 at 21:30

I was diagnosed with severe depression in 1993 after attempting suicide. I had psychotherapy for some time but with willpower you can get better. Good luck

yermum · 9 May 2008 at 21:32

I hope that you have a sympathetic GP, that's all. Mine is an angel and has helped me tremendously through some very bad times. Just be aware that any medication will not work overnight, but could take about 4 weeks to kick in. Don't see taking medication as a bad thing, just see it as a crutch to support your life, just as a plaster cast helps someone who has broken a limb. It enables you to carry on with day to day living whilst getting some support.

Good luck and it does get better, it just takes time.

megatron · 9 May 2008 at 21:33

The only thing he can do is give you tablets. Depression itself might be helped by doing exercise and a good diet. I wish there were real shrinks like you see in american tv, but they don't seem to exist. On the bright side, at least you have not been sectioned where you are forced to live on a ward.

My advice is whatever is making you depressed, make it seem like a non-issue, cause your health is the most important thing.

Darkwave · 9 May 2008 at 21:34

megatron said:
I wish there were real shrinks like you see in american tv, but they don't seem to exist.

They do, you have to be referred by your GP to psychiatrists and psychotherapists.

gillywibble · 9 May 2008 at 21:35

megatron said:
I wish there were real shrinks like you see in american tv, but they don't seem to exist.

Of course real and very good psychologists exist :confused:

Lee2k4 · 9 May 2008 at 21:37

Been taking anti d's for the last 8 years now for it. I found that they do calm me down a bit but I have to take them because if I don't I suffer heavy withdraw symptoms, blacking out is just one of them.

megatron · 9 May 2008 at 21:37

gillywibble said:
I had psychotherapy

Talking about problems is good, if u can get it.

Johnnytoxic · 9 May 2008 at 21:38

Lee2k4 said:
Been taking anti d's for the last 8 years now for it. I found that they do calm me down a bit but I have to take them because if I don't I suffer heavy withdraw symptoms, blacking out is just one of them.

Whoaa thats quite scary.

JaffaJedi · 9 May 2008 at 21:38

How do you know if you have depression?

whats the symptoms?

I dont think I have ever "had depression", but I have been depressed about certain situations now and again, mainly when I was younger

THMRK · 9 May 2008 at 21:39

Ulfhedjinn said:
If my diagnosis is anything to go by then you can expect various courses of weak medications, if you don't improve then you can expect to be referred (with your consent) to a psychiatrist/counsellor.

Most doctors go with CBT first before going to the drugs as far as I'm aware.

Certainly was what I was told by my doc at any rate.

Johnnytoxic · 9 May 2008 at 21:40

Well, Im losing all my mates due to been moody all the time. Sometimes I won't talk to even my family for days. Lost all motivation for everything.

megatron · 9 May 2008 at 21:41

gillywibble said:
Of course real and very good psychologists exist

Well I was given the choice of having a diagnosis of having a "social disorder" or he won't treat me and no one else will either. Perhaps I don't agree with the diagnosis and would feel stigmatized with it.

gillywibble · 9 May 2008 at 21:41

megatron said:
Talking about problems is good, if u can get it.

I take your point.

My parents paid for my therapy. The treatment you get on the NHS is appalling. For example, you might expect to get 12 sessions of treatment. I had over 300.

THMRK · 9 May 2008 at 21:42

It effects everyone diffrently. With me it's primarly my self esteem, and has been since I was 16.

Therapy worked for me, but I can understand why it doesn't work for everyone (my Mum has manic depression and was onto the prozac after the therapy because it just wasn't working).

SideWinder · 9 May 2008 at 21:42

My younger brother, aged 16, is going through depression at the moment.

Darkwave · 9 May 2008 at 21:43

Woody__ said:
Most doctors go with CBT first before going to the drugs as far as I'm aware.

Certainly was what I was told by my doc at any rate.

GPs can only prescribe drugs.

What happened for me was as follows; I went to my GP complaining about depression, insomnia and other things and he put me on a few courses of different medications.

I showed no improvement so he offered me the chance to be referred to a psychiatrist at the hospital here, as psychiatrists know a lot more about the brain than GPs do and they can prescribe more effective medications. He diagnosed me with a few things (OCD and social anxiety, among other things.)

I still wasn't responding to medications so I was further referred, by my psychiatrist, to a psychotherapist who is responsible for the non-medication side of things (cognitive behavioral therapy etc.)

KittensCake · 9 May 2008 at 21:45

I was dianosed about uhhh, nearly 2 years ago I think it was. Although I was probably depressed for about 3/4 years before that, I had just slipped into depression and been that way so long I didn't even realise I was depressed really, feeling like crap all the time with no motivation and suicidal thoughts just became the norm for me. Put on medication straight away, didn't help really. Went to various counsellors and psychiatrists over the next 6 months, didn't help either.