All over the place but please read

BluePHX

Hey, I'm glad you got that all out. It's not too terribly all over the place. Firstly, if you don't know what to say to the doctor, just print out what you wrote and have him read that. I was seeing a therapist for a while and since I couldn't put into words what I was feeling I gave her some of my writings and journal entries. Since you will be visiting your doctor for the first time, I think what you posted here would be perfect. And then you can go from there. What you wrote covers what are your concerns are and your fears about telling the doctor and your past history with other doctors and family.

I have battled depression on and off for a few years now. It hits strongly in the winter months (S.A.D depression). I have gotten a "happy light". It is artificial sunlight that you use for about 30 minutes a day and it increases your serotonin production. You can search for it on the internet, I'm not sure the price range but they have many different variations. Also, exercising and eating healthy will help too, but I'm sure you already know that

I have heard that St. John's Wart is a natural way to help depression. Yes it is a pill, but look into that. Then you wouldn't need a prescription and could pick it up at any CVS/Walgreens/Stop & Shop etc.

Another thing that has helped me, personally, is a 5 year journal I bought. It's a sentence a day and its for a total of 5 years. The one I bought was called a happiness journal. So you are supposed to write one good thing that happened that day. I usually write a bit about the day, try to focus more on the good but hey, we are human and there isn't always good that happens. But I find it nice because as I continue it (I'm in my second year) I get to see what I was doing a year before and then I start to think of all the things that will come in the future years and what I will have to write.

Finding one thing, even something small, each day that makes you smile is the best place to start with depression. I drove past a gorgeous sunset today and it just filled me with warmth. It's those things you have to hold on to.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

DO NOT TAKE ANY HERBAL ANTI-DEPRESSANTS WITHOUT SEEING A SPECIALIST WITH A LICENSE IN PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS!

It can make you feel 1000 times worse if you need REAL help psychologically! GO TO THE DOCTOR. All else is complete and utter speculation until you see a DOCTOR.

svelt123

:flowerforyou: You are on the right track! You have acknowledged that something just isn't right. I agree with the suggestion of working with the doctors but do not suggest which meds to subscribe. Try to continue to get enough rest and exercise.
Continue with MFP. Logging your food consumption is smart. Take a good look at what your are eating with an allergist and a registered dietician just to be sure that could it be something that you are or is not eating that can also cause problems.
A good medical Dr. would be a good start too. Chemical imbalances within our bodies can cause all sorts of problems.

Many people suffer with depression you are not alone. This may sound awful but have you ever considered contacting Dr. Phil
Mcgraw. (The Dr. Phil show) Dr. He has helped many people. He treats people with respect. especially someone like you who is seeking true help.

God bless you.

maegmez

I read your topic before going out for my run. All my running music is Christian based and when this song by Britt Nicole came on, I instantly thought of you. It's called...Walk On The Water


You look around
It's staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I'm overtaken
What if I never make it
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

Chorus:

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too

Verse 2:
So get out
And let
Your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste
Don't wait
Don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe
Try to run away

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

(chorus)

Bridge:
(step out)
Even when its storming
(step out)
Even when you're broken
(step out)
Even when your heart is telling you telling you to give up
(step out)
When your hope is stolen
(step out)
You can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid

So what are you waiting,
What are you waiting for?

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water...
Walk on the water too

Ducey99

You should understand that depression is a medical condition brought on by a deficiency of certain brain chemicals (dopamine, seratonin, etc..). Contrary to popular belief, depression =/= saddness.
Look at it like a deficiency of a certain vitamin, let's say B12. There are two ways to reverse this; more B12 in your diet, or via supplementation like a B12 pill or injection. Likewise, you can combat the deficiency causing your depression in two ways; Cognitive behavioral therapy, or medication. Behavioral therapy is basically discussion and the implementation of certain techniques to reduce stress and prevent triggers that cause your spirals. Your Dr. Phil type therapy. Medications have a direct influence on your particular deficiency and in some cases may be required (extreme deficiency) and in some cases would not be recommended (risk vs. reward). If you had extremely low B12, you wouldn't just use changes in diet, you'd supplement.
Either way, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is the next step for you. You should be refered to a psychiatrist that can determine the severity of your condition and then figure out what types of intervention would be most beneficial.

In the meantime, keep on keepin on. This is probably the worst you will ever feel, and if you can hold on just a while longer you'll be alright. Depression is a very real thing, someone telling you it is in your head is simply uninformed and plain wrong. Sadness is a symptom of depression, they are not the same thing. One thing you can be sure of is that you won't feel like this forever.

bearkisses

one word: counselling:flowerforyou:

MissMegannLee

I'm so afraid of hearing another person tell me its all in my head or not take me seriously but I know that I have to give this a try

If they do call your insurance and requests a new doctor.

LoraMora

SavedbyAmazin, please show your mother your post. You need her help, and her advocacy to keep your doctors on track.

She may not realize how serious your situation is if she has only heard it in pieces or if you haven't verbalized it as effectively as you have written it.

All the best for you. You sound like an Amazin' girl.
Lora

DebbieLyn63

I'm so afraid of hearing another person tell me its all in my head or not take me seriously but I know that I have to give this a try

If they do call your insurance and requests a new doctor.

If a person repeatedly gets told by doctor after doctor that nothing is wrong, and its all in their head, then perhaps they don't need to go see yet another doctor, but instead should consult a doctor who can see the underlying psychiatric issue. You can doctor hop enough until you find one that will prescribe whatever drugs you want, but that will only cause more problems. Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem today and destroys so many people and their families. But because a doctor prescribes them, people refuse to believe they have a problem.

SavedByAmazingGrace

Update: The insurance sent me a list of doctors to call, almost all of them where out of order and the two that I got ahold of weren't in their office. I'm waiting for them to call back, but in the mean time I've been trying to eat lots of fruits, veggies and drink water. I'm also searching for some books on depression (no boring ones). Trying to stay calm