Oh Adam,

I know your not a huggy person, but I hope you don't mind . I'm really proud of you that you're thinking about your mom and trying to make sure she's happy. That's awesome.

I can't pretend to know what it's like to be severely depressed, but I do know that it can get better. I'm sure you've heard all this a thousand times, but it really is important that you don't give up on being happy. The best thing you can do for yourself is find a good therapist, and I'd also recommend finding a good anti-depressant that will work for you. It's also important that you do allow the important people in your life to be there for you. I'm proud of you for reaching out to them tonight. I know it doesn't seem like it, but life really doesn't have to be one long, unplessant experience. Take care of yourself and know that even here on GA people do care about you and will do whatever we can to help. Please do feel free to PM me any time if you want to talk.

Kevin

The best thing you can do for yourself is find a good therapist, and I'd also recommend finding a good anti-depressant that will work for you. It's also important that you do allow the important people in your life to be there for you. I'm proud of you for reaching out to them tonight. I know it doesn't seem like it, but life really doesn't have to be one long, unplessant experience.

Your well on your way to becoming that therapist/psychiatrist/psycologist/etc.

um see the thing is, I have a very unique situation: my mom is a psychiatrist, so I know a lot of what could be said to me

and second, I've been on anti-depressants before: heheh, um im just going to say it wasn't a very pleasant experience (yes, I am aware that each one has different side-effects in each person).

-adam

Adam, the times I've seen a therapist/counselor, the value hasn't been in the things they told me. It's been in having support and guidance to handle what's going on with me.

Looking at it from your mother's perspective, I'd be devastated if my son committed suicide, but I'd also be very unhappy to know he was living in misery and didn't tell me about so we could get him help to make it better. Even if, for whatever reason, you don't feel comfortable telling your mom how you feel, I'm with Kevin ... there may be other ways of dealing with things than you've considered, and if you don't seek help, you won't know about them.

(Just so you'll know, I've dealt with depression off and on my entire life, including suicidal feelings at times, so I know at least some of what you're talking about.)

Kitty

I've been where you are before, Adam, and like Kitty, I've dealt with depression and anxiety on and off for a number of years. Just because you're mom's a psychiatrist, it doesn't mean she's the best one for YOU. Just like each anti-depressant has different side-effects, each therapist is different. You need to find one that is right for you, as well as a medication to get you stabilized. It took me several different medications before I found one that worked for me, and it can be frustrating, but there are so many out there now that you're bound to find one that fits you. I'm not sure which side-effects you're particularly not fond of, but what many males dislike is that some anti-depressants have certain sexual side-effects. If that's what you're referring to, then Wellbutrin and Effexor are two that do not have this particular side-effect. They are anti-depressants, but they are not in the same class as drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft, which are the ones that most commonly have the sexual side-effects.

Anyway, talk to your mom as soon as possible, and she might be able to recommend someone for you to go talk to. She should also understand that you need someone else, an outside, third-party to listen to you, rather than her. This is because it would be hard for her to separate the "mom" and the "doctor." As a trained and licensed psychiatrist, I'm sure she knows this. You might think you can handle things on your own, but you never know when things might get out of control, and we don't always think straight (no pun intended!) when we should.

That being said, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm finishing up on my meds, because my doctor doesn't think I need them any more, and they have helped. I haven't been back to counseling in over a year either. Sure, I still go through periods of depression and feeling miserable, but I've learned how to deal with those on my own now, with help from counseling. You should never feel like you have to go it alone, because there is help out there for you.

*Hugz*

Adam, the times I've seen a therapist/counselor, the value hasn't been in the things they told me. It's been in having support and guidance to handle what's going on with me.

 

Looking at it from your mother's perspective, I'd be devastated if my son committed suicide, but I'd also be very unhappy to know he was living in misery and didn't tell me about so we could get him help to make it better. Even if, for whatever reason, you don't feel comfortable telling your mom how you feel, I'm with Kevin ... there may be other ways of dealing with things than you've considered, and if you don't seek help, you won't know about them.

 

(Just so you'll know, I've dealt with depression off and on my entire life, including suicidal feelings at times, so I know at least some of what you're talking about.)

 

Kitty

Kitty, she already knows that I am depressed, I told her yesterday. I tend to not keep things from her. She reacted exactly how you described and I figured she would. Honestly, for me, the support and guidance is something I need from friends, becuase that is part of where the depression comes from. Thanks for caring .

I've been where you are before, Adam, and like Kitty, I've dealt with depression and anxiety on and off for a number of years. Just because you're mom's a psychiatrist, it doesn't mean she's the best one for YOU. Just like each anti-depressant has different side-effects, each therapist is different. You need to find one that is right for you, as well as a medication to get you stabilized. It took me several different medications before I found one that worked for me, and it can be frustrating, but there are so many out there now that you're bound to find one that fits you. I'm not sure which side-effects you're particularly not fond of, but what many males dislike is that some anti-depressants have certain sexual side-effects. If that's what you're referring to, then Wellbutrin and Effexor are two that do not have this particular side-effect. They are anti-depressants, but they are not in the same class as drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft, which are the ones that most commonly have the sexual side-effects.

 

Anyway, talk to your mom as soon as possible, and she might be able to recommend someone for you to go talk to. She should also understand that you need someone else, an outside, third-party to listen to you, rather than her. This is because it would be hard for her to separate the "mom" and the "doctor." As a trained and licensed psychiatrist, I'm sure she knows this. You might think you can handle things on your own, but you never know when things might get out of control, and we don't always think straight (no pun intended!) when we should.

 

That being said, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm finishing up on my meds, because my doctor doesn't think I need them any more, and they have helped. I haven't been back to counseling in over a year either. Sure, I still go through periods of depression and feeling miserable, but I've learned how to deal with those on my own now, with help from counseling. You should never feel like you have to go it alone, because there is help out there for you.

 

*Hugz*

About the therepists and the anti-depressants, my mom has offered both (and both of us are aware of the mom-doctor thing, which in my case helps, believe it or not). It's mostly my stubborness. I just don't want to take them--and it's not the dependancy fear that a lot of people have, I just don't want to take them. Maybe it's pride? I'm not sure. Interestingly enough, there are two newer ways to deal with depression-that don't involve pills. There is a new patch, but my mom is reluctant to use it, because she hasn't tried it yet and also, there is a surgery, and follow up called VNS (vegal nerve stimulation), which is actually quite intereting . In regards to the end of the depression, I know it exists, I just can't seem to get there. Thanks for caring,

adam

Adam, did u ever think we were waiting untill your birthday to wish u happy birthday? I also remember posting here saying, if julie gives u too big a load i would take some off on your birthday

so if it needs to be said in advance, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

i know u have alot of work 2day, if u find packet easier i will take your section of the notes in exchange. (i prefer the notes)

umm, yea. Happy Birthday again

Happy Birthday Adam!

I hope you have an amazing day, take care

Adam, did u ever think we were waiting untill your birthday to wish u happy birthday? I also remember posting here saying, if julie gives u too big a load i would take some off on your birthday

 

so if it needs to be said in advance, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

 

i know u have alot of work 2day, if u find packet easier i will take your section of the notes in exchange. (i prefer the notes)

 

umm, yea. Happy Birthday again

Hmm, seems like the kid brought his hag with him

(that was a joke for you easily offended types, harsh reality for you not so easily offended types)

:king: Snow Dog

Happy Birthday Adam!!!

I hope you had a great day!!!

- Kaiten