A
female
age
30-35,
*xxvickixxo
writes:How do you know if you are depressed? and how do you go about getting help? I feel that I could have mild depression but I am not sure, I used to be happy the majority of the time but now I just feel like "what's the point" and I basically just stay in, go to my boyfriends or cry over nothing. My behaviours had an affect on my bf aswell as he has noticed a change in me and gets angry because I wont speak to him but I dont know how to for fear that he will laugh at me or something.
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): go and speak with a therapist or talk with a friend who has seen a therapist and listen to what they have to say.
depression is not something to be depressed about. Ha ha...
it happens to good people all the time - it even happens to scum-bags but only sometimes...
anyway, kidding aside, be really really good to yourself, much better than you think you deserve. Depressed people tend to blame and treat themselves like crap when they are down isntead of taking care of themselves. If you knew someone who was depressed would you be nasty to them? No way - so treat yourself like you would treat a friend who is having a problem.
Just be much much kinder to yourself than you think you deserve. Eat stuff you like, whenever you feel like it. buy something you do not need, exercise and get allot of sleep. Be kind to yourself and see a therapist - soon!
A
reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): Dear Poster
I read the other postings: Some very helpful(like Diovan) and some so confusing (like (Annalisa)
HOWEVER
I repeat from my previous posting: I urge you to consult your doctor; we can only give ADVICE; your doctor will know what treatment is best for you.
I have lots of respect for all the "uncles and aunts" on this site, they are doing great work in advising people, but sometimes they have limited knowledge to a specific "field" and might be slightly ignorant to the impact of there answers.
I URGE you, do not waste time talking to various people; just contact your doctor; who will know what is the best route for your treatment.
To delay the call to your doctor is to delay your agony.
I hope that you can get relief soon and be happy and Smiling with me; but contact your GP to help you to eliminate the problems and the causes of your depression.
My thoughts are with you and best wishes.
Looking forward to your update and always try to keep SMILING!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): Hiya,
I have mild depression exactly the same as you. I dont enjoy anything i used to. I dont want to see my friends and can hardly do any of the daily activities i used to. But i am a lot better than i was.
You need to go see a doctor straight away and explain all of the things you are feeling. Your doctor will probs do a blood test to see if it could be anything else for example anemia as this can cause depression too. But you will most likely be put on a mild anti depressant and please dont be scared to take them or listen to any of the rumours as im on them now and their brilliant and im a different person now :)
Good Luck!
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): PS: Please don't be frightened of medication, for some people it works, for some people it doesn't, and for a very, very few people it can make things much worse. To tell the truth, I have ruined my life, by refusing to take medication, and now that I have taken them, I swear they have really changed my life. Self help is great, and it is necessary to do all the things we have suggested, no matter what, even if you are healthy, good friends, exercise, something to believe in, all these things are necessary to keep everyone in good mental health. But never be frightened by horror stories about medication, at the dangerous levels of Severe, clinical depression it is the only thing that will rebalance the chemicals in your head and dose indeed save lives...
Don't be frightened talk to your GP, depression is easily treated, but you need to go and get some medical help as soon as you can.... Take care of you, physically, mentally, socially and spirtually... I wish you happiness and good health.. Blessings.
Sorry for this strong warning, it is probably not applicable to you, but it needs to be said. Work with your doctor, research the condition, follow your doctors advice and work hard on living a life built on healthiness and happiness, goals, friends, and things that make you feel good...
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): Depression has several categories and can be caused by many things. Mild depression or situational depression (the blues) can be caused by things that are upsetting you in your life. This can range from a boredom, fears about your future, or problems that you cannot currently solve. Clinical depression is a more severe case and treatment ranges from counselling and talk therapy, to medication....
Depression is usually self-reported, you notice thing about your behaviour, things have changed and you notice you are sad. These are classic signs. So is irritability, sadness, waking or sleeping at strange hours, or sleeping too much or too little. Depression is treatable illness, it needs to be tackled by a doctor, because you can not change your feelings alone. Exercise, good sleep, good food, all these things can help, so can a change in focus like finding new hobbies and setting yourself some positive goals. But do not do these things alone, you MUST talk to a doctor, because only a doctor can really help you and identify what is going on. Mild depression can change to a major depressive episode if not treated soon enough.
Doctors identify depression using a scale about how long you have been feeling this way, and if you feel worse or better as time goes on. I am sending you a link to a basic depression score. Please don't get yourself too upset, but see if anything like this rings a bell with you. Take a print out of this, and a copy of your post to Dear Cupid with you to your Doctor's. The more information you have about these things you feel, the less frightening it will be for you. I know you may feel strange and alone, but your not, many people, including me have suffered just like you do.
Book an appointment straight away to see your GP, the sooner you tackle this the happier you will be. My doctor told me once, something that I will remember until the day I die. He said, we need to strive to feel happy and well in life, unwellness, dis-ease, is anything that bothers you and stops you feeling happy in life. These things are important, he said, anything that causes you unhappiness is important to your GP. So don't be frightened, tell your doctor how your feeling, and he will support you and help you get back on track and feeling happy again in no time at all.. :^)
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/interactivetests/goldberg.php
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female
reader, bon +, writes (11 September 2008):
you need to look deep inside yourself and ask yourself questions. you could have mild depression. there is so much help out there though dont leave it too long you better getting it sorted sooner rather than later. no one has to know if u dont want.
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 September 2008): Dear Poster
How long have you been feeling like this? Did anything major happen in your life of recent?
From what you described it does sound as if you are suffering from depression
BUT
we cannot diagnose or treat you on this site; we are merely here to try and give advice.
I URGE you to contact your doctor and describe to him how you are feeling; he will prescribe and recommend the correct treatment.
If possible try and explain your feelings to your boyfriend; if he loves he will not laugh at you; but he will better understand your feelings and have empathy with you; by shutting him out, he might not know why and it can create problems between the two of you; you don't need that now. Communication is important and this will be a good time for you to open up and bond with him on a deeper level.
Please contact your doctor, there is no need for you to feel this way, the right treatment and you will be feeling much better soon.
Best wishes, lots of hugs and lots of SMILES.
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A
female
reader, supermum +, writes (11 September 2008):
 You seem to be showing some of the classic symptoms. Have you had any suicidal or self harm thoughts?I would reccomend you take a trip to your GP. You can always email me and have a chat if you want. But you have to remember that we are here to offer advice, not councelling so your GP would be your best bet.If you feel like you are going to try something stupid, take a trip up to the hospital and ask to talk to the MASTT team... (pronounced mast) who are there 24hours and can offer practicle support and a listening ear. If you cant get to the hospital, try ringing the MASTT team (get the number from the hospiatl reception) samaritans or any other local helpline. I hope it all goes ok for you. Depression isnt nice, but is treatable if you want it to be. It is good that you are being proactive in helping your self solve this issue.x
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