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female
age
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anonymous
writes:What is the best way to get rid of depression? I have had it for years and daren't go to the doctors. i don't want it on my records. What if this comes back to haunt me in the future. But - honestly i just cannot go on. i am so down all the time. I have tried, walking while listening to music, reading, dancing and visiting my friends. But i feel that they arer sick to death of hearing from me. My kids (aged 30 32) tell me to pull myself together. I have married in the last year and i do try and keep it from him. He is busy at work so doesn't see the down ME. But i am losing a battle with it. Help, what should i do?dispairing, need help now.
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reader, anonymous, writes (8 May 2007): I hope you got some help from your Dr.!! You need to know something - the longer you have depression without getting it treated (therapy or medication, whatever it takes) the harder it is to get rid of and the longer you will need treatment.
Therapy can be really really helpful and I think you should do it if you can, but the very best treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and medication. If you have a therapist you feel comfortable with, it will be an oasis for you to meet with him/her until you feel better.
Depression is so common, and while most people say "you may not need medication" - let me tell you that the medication can be miraculous. Please dont wait until you can't get out of bed, so many people are on antidepressants now that you should not feel stigmatized if you need one, you should feel smart that you are taking care of your health. If your brain chemistry is out of wack and you need medication to fix it, do it - if you needed insulin wouldn't you take it?
And a little tip from someone who has dealt with this for a long time: sometimes the first "usual" dose is not enough and you need a higher dose. And sometimes you have to try a couple different antidepressants to find the one that works for you, so don't give up if something doesn't work right away.
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female
reader, ItsNotMyTree +, writes (3 May 2007):
Hey, have you thought of joining a fitness class? Many people say join the gym, but the gym can be boring and not very sociable. Think of activities that you've never had the chance to do. Maybe Yoga, a Martial art or even Dancing. Truth is, exercise can really help to beat depression.Also, there are herbal remedies such as St Johns Wort (you can even get St Johns Wort tea) and fish oils can improve things working in your brain and improve your mood.I have also found that eating healthily and getting your daily fruit and veg can do wonders for your mood and energy levels.You're 55, the modern day peak of womanhood. Get yourself out there and enjoy life...the sun can do wonders for your mood too! Good luck :)
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reader, anonymous, writes (2 May 2007): THANK YOU all for the answers that you gave. I have also just been made redundant from a job that i love, at the age of 55 i am finding it a struggle to get another job. i am going to have a trip to the doctors tomorrow (thurs). Many thanks
x
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reader, rk06  +, writes (1 May 2007):
 Its not an uncommon thing. I know many people that take medications to help with their depression. My own father being one. He is a great man, and he is a well-respected community member and employee.
And plus, who gives a crap what others think. You know who you are, and no one else determines that. I think it would be a good idea to see a doctor, its what they are for :) good luck
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reader, Midge +, writes (1 May 2007):
 Take it from someone who suffered with depresssion for years, it doesnt always revolve around drugs and even if its on your record, who's gonna know about it? Doctors cannot discuss your file within ANYONE!!! Even if you were on the likes of an airforce base etc, they cannot disclose the information in your file.
Your doctor may put you on a tablet, but perhaps not. Sometimes you just need that little boost to help you over that ever increasing mountain. But its a hard slogg and you can do it!
Your doctor may also decide that a little therapy is the right way to progress. And I can assure you, they are not all "and how does that make you feel". I was under the impression when I first went to counselling that that was all they were gonna say every time I said something, and I was soooo wrong! They can help you overcome whatever it is that is making you depressed, and even if its clinical depression, they can help you manage things while your doctor puts you on a tablet to help your body seratonin levels steady themselves.
It may look all doom and gloom now, but honestly a quick trip to the doctor could be all you need!
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reader, Ponungalungb +, writes (1 May 2007):
 Exactly what records are you afraid of having? That you need medical help? Would you feel the same way if you thought you had cancer? See a professional. Playing with over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and other home remedies is asking for trouble.
Good luck!
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reader, NJmomabear +, writes (1 May 2007):
 Ok, so your past menopause, but even a hormonal change like that can bring about depression. Puberty did it for me. I've struggled with depression ever since. Come to find out I have an andrenal dysfunction of sorts. As an adult it manifested into PCOS and I have a thryoid nodule. Maybe you won't feel so ashamed if you go to a medical doctor (GP or endocrinologist) and ask them to investigate any medical underlying issues causing the way you feel since your so afraid of the 'mental illness' stigma. What's going to come back to haunt you is the depression if you don't take care of it. Who are you trying to be and for who if you yourself is not happy.
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reader, Wendyg +, writes (1 May 2007):
 Hi there, Not all depression needs to have a drug to cure it! Your doctor can put you in touch with many medical resources for counselling... For some counselling is the way to go and makes all the difference. I think you can probably join some support groups online such as MIND aswell, they can often put you in touch with people feeling the same way, and support groups maybe without the need to consult your doctor. BUT, I strongly advise going to see your doctor if you are feeling this way... Why would it come back to haunt you ? Just because its on your record doesnt mean anyone has the right to look at it but you. If there were a circumstance where you had to provide medical records for whatever reason, you can opt to see these first and can decline that no one else see's it.. this is your right and it stands for anyone. Its not going to say on your record oh this women is nuts totally depressed dont employ! Nothing like that... for the record, I have had to see my doctor in the past for a bout of depression... and so far its not affecting my working career or anything for that matter.. and if people think less of me or it makes things a bit awkward then stuff them! I got the help when i needed it to get myself sorted, it didnt matter what the latter cost was, it was about me, me having MY life back... this is YOUR life, stuff what others think... If you dont do something your quality of life will just keep on diminishing... It doesnt mean you will have to take tablets forever, or that you will get addicted, or reliant, its alot more common place than people think. Get the help, it will be worth it in the long run, counselling is what helped me, I tried taking some tabs and they did diddly squat for me! We are all different, but do do something this is the rest of your life were talking hun... it might be counselling, different surroundings and different places that work for you... until you go you wont know.. but I do urge you to go. There is a herbal rememdy called St Johns Wort, that you can buy from health shops do a google search to read up on it. This is said to aid Depression.. but there are cautions with this and needs to be checked that its okay to take with certain medicines.. and there are various side effects, but we are all different, so i urge you to read up on this first and see if its for you... dont just take it, you could even ask your doctor what he thinks and that wont show up alot on your recored as he wouldnt be prescribing you anything. But i think that counselling does help, and urge you to try that. I wish you the very best, but do something about this, sod records and things that may come back and bite you.... you get one life! Live it babe!!!Take care xhttp://www.mind.org.uk
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reader, anonymous, writes (1 May 2007): You need to try Cognitive Behaioural Therapy. One idea is that depression is self-fulfilling. Repeated negative thought processes become hard-wired in your brain and so become the most normal processes for you. Something happens, you think a certain result will come from it and all those nerve paths follow along your accustomed tracks to doom and gloom. You can start using the techniques, which are simple exercises, by looking on-line. You can also find therapists who are trained in it without seeing your doctor. It really, honestly works much better than pills. Good luck.
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