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What's a good means of alleviating depression
Calamity Jane
That Wrong LoveRegistered User regular
That Wrong LoveRegistered User regular
I'm no doctor but I'm pretty damn sure I've got some form of severe depression.
What's a good means of rectifying this?
What's a good means of rectifying this?
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I have no medical insurance, and I'm unsure of how to get it in Washington state. I'm pretty dirt poor at the moment.
There's no one anti-depressant that is better than others, if an anti-depressant is indeed called for and not therapy or whatnot. And even those that seem to be favored by the psychiatrist I work for might work for one person, and not for another. Might induce side effects for you, but not for me. No good way to predict in advance, generally. A certain amount of trial-and-error is often required.
In any event, there's really no way that anybody here can recommend an anti-depressant for you.
edit: Find a free clinic if at all possible. If not, find a doctor or hospital willing to work with you on price, and make sure that if they do prescribe something they prescribe a $4 generic. There are still numerous options in that range, and still no good way for someone here to recommend one in particular for you.
Fair enough. Perhaps the title is too broad. Treatment and such is what I'm looking at, which again could fall under the conundrum of working out a doctor visit. I appreciate this in lieu of arm-chair doctors.
Simply getting up and finding something to do with my time without wasting it in foolish pursuits as well. Every day when I'm not job hunting I'm simply playing video games with friends to keep some sort of ease but everything drags on.
I've been smoking a lot of weed. I'm also incredibly lonely and have no significant other.
Sounds to me you feel extremely overwhelmed.
Whenever a list of impediments seem to pile up out of no where, I like to write out that list.
Then, narrow down two things to start:
1) the most feasible/easiest thing that I can overcome soonest (once I do overcome it, I feel more accomplished and intrinsically motivated to press on)
2) the root to all/most of my problems (ie no money = find any job; being picky isn't an option).
Also, I use this natural supplement (NATURE'S WAY Kira - St. John's Wort) to treat my anxiety and occasional feelings of depression, and it seems to work. I don't smoke weed, so it may conflict with that. The vast majority of reviews of the product attest to its effectiveness, while a small number of reviews label it simply as, essentially, a placebo. YMMV. Worth a look.
I should've stated this earlier but I've contemplated killing myself twice in this last year.
Hotlines:
1-800-784-2433
1-800-273-8255
You mentioned college. So you're a student? The student center offers help for this sort of situation. Walk in and talk. And as matthasaproblem mentioned, make it one of your daily/most important to-do's to find a free clinic.
Also, get outside in the meantime. This means more than walking to look for a job. Get outside, go for a jog, pick up a sport, do pushups, etc. The vitamins in sunlight are vital to emotional health. Or even if you live in a cloudy state, the combination of fresh air, slight sunlight, and moderate exercise will do wonders.
And if your family isn't part of your depression, then talk with them.
But above all, find a doctor (college, free clinic) and call one of the hotlines.
I mentioned that as a means of determining the severity of it, and it was my mistake to bring up later than sooner. That said, I'm looking up local free clinics at present for treatment and whatever comes after.
I didn't mean to make you feel pressured. That was my mistake.
http://freemedicalcamps.com/
That's worth a look through.
I worked in an emergency psych unit before and often times people called for this sort of information, so it shouldn't be viewed by the staff as you pestering them about something that you shouldn't have called about. There's almost always a county or state level service that is targeted at helping people who would otherwise have trouble paying. The other upside is that this might get you into the office of a Psychiatrist who would not only be able to prescribe medication but might also be better able to help you cope with any issues that lead to your depression or that stem from it.
Maybe this might be of use to you. Just find your location of choice and see what options you have or just pick a place and call to explain your situation and see what they can do for you.
I know opinions on this issue can get pretty strong but weed is technically a depressant, so you might want take a break. Just like alcohol you can certainly feel good at points while consuming it but chemically it is a depressant. Plus if you do get medication, it might be smart to lay off the weed. The fewer things adjusting your brain chemistry the better, plus it saves some money.
Quit smoking weed. It's a depressant and it makes antidepressants not work, so if you do get on real medicine it'll be worthless if you keep smoking.
There's a depression that lasts up to six months after you quit smoking weed too, while your brain learns to function again. You'll feel worse at first. It sucks but it's something you've got to go through.
Depression has a 20% mortality rate. It is a life-threatening condition. Go see a doctor, get on some medication, and start seeing a therapist.
This is the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard. Completely outrageous. Take your herbal supplements and fuck off.
Clarification stuff:
How recently was this, and what do you mean by "twice?" Two individual moments where you thought about it at all, or thinking about it regularly, and two specific moments when you were actively contemplating going through with it?
This last question may sound weird, and if you don't get what it means, the answer is no:
Did you have a plan?
Real Advice Stuff:
This is a big decision to make, and it would help you if you had someone you trust to go with you, but you can and should go at any time to the emergency room and ask for a psychological evaluation. The receptionist will likely ask you two things: "do you feel safe?" and "do you have a plan?" (get used to hearing that second question)
They will then likely have you see a doctor to do a little mini-physical, and then they'll have you sit down with a social worker or therapist (who ever's on call at the time) to just talk things out, and they will be able to discuss your treatment options, and they'll be very sympathetic to your no-insurance situation. They can put you in touch with the best people they can, and remember: they cannot make you do anything you don't want to if you come in on your own terms. There is nothing to be lost by going in like this.
I just went through this whole ordeal not two months ago, and ended up staying the the psych ward for a few days, (I was right on the brink of going out to buy my gun, though) so please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want someone to talk to.
I'm pretty sure he intended that to read "no longer optional"
Second, I'd recommend a therapist or a counselor before seeing a psychiatrist. Talking alleviates a lot of depressed thoughts. When I first decided I needed to do something with my depression, this is what I did first.
The therapist recommended a natural vitamin supplement called SAM-e. Google it, I think you can find it in any drug store off the shelf. It's a mood enhancer. It didn't do a damn thing for me but its worth a shot.
If the above doesn't work, ask the opinion of your therapist or someone close to you whether or not you should see a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions and have you fill out questionnaires. Then he will recommend a drug. Depending on the doctor it'll probably be an SSRI or something. It's important to understand the drugs they have now, only help you get better. They aren't "happy pills." In fact mine just made me feel lethargic and sometimes nervous, but I think aided greatly in my recovery.
Suicidal thoughts are always bad, and will lead to thinking of a method. If you have a method skip the therapist and go to a doctor.
I'm not saying prescriptions don't have their uses, but honestly, exercise.
Exercise. Walk if you can, run if you can, bike if you can. Exercise is panacea.
I've studied a lot of psychology and mood disorders run in my family. My grandmother ran every day until she hurt her leg - after a few weeks without exercising, she killed herself. My father has bipolar 2 disorder - I've watched him struggle with depression all his life, and while he's not always the happiest guy, I am pretty certain that the sheer amount of time he spends skiing has something to do with his continued life. This isn't just some old wives' tale - psychological studies repeatedly and consistently confirm this.
Exercise. Always, always exercise.
doctors and therapists
i was working out two means of doing it
one was readily available. the other was not
i think what kept me from seriously following through was talking to somebody at first, and then bringing up my stress in an argument happening between two people possibly contributing to my wanting to off myself
both responses were really blase. i don't seek attention or anything like that but i was put off by responses such as "YOU NEED TO DRINK MORE ORANGE JUICE" or slight, awkward nods
i'm not habitual, but good christ i've been doing it in excess lately
and i do need to hold down a job
i'm looking up times to do this and making some calls
thanks, folks
Get some sun and exercise.
List out shit you need to do, so that it can't just conveniently slip your mind. Cross shit off when it's done, add new shit as it comes up.
Cut back on the weed.
Of course, if you're actually clinically depressed or whatever, this stuff might not actually help. But if you're just in a shitty mental place right now, it probably will!
PS4:MrZoompants
especially exercise
If you're truly depressed, recovery occurs gradually. Start small: correct your irrational self-doubting thoughts as they occur, think systematically about why you feel the way you do, try meditating (seriously), focus on eating right and sleeping well if you're not already. These things make a substantial difference. Also, make sure you're not turning your back on friends and family, try and catch yourself if you find you're falling into self-isolating behavior patterns.
Seeing a doctor is still a million percent your first priority, but giving your life some positive structure is an extremely beneficial thing to think about in the meantime.
While you may not notice it helping when you get sleep, you'll certainly notice it hurting if you don't get sleep. I can personally vouch for this as someone inflicted with clinical depression. Also, seeing as I'm treated for it, I can tell you right now that the world is a much brighter place once treated.
Find a hobby you enjoy, or any similiar way to boost your confidence. I tried the gym, but always felt sub-par compared to others there. I have a shit self confidence, and being forced to look at yourself in walls plastered in mirrors as you sweat your bag off doesnt always help motivate an introvert. Don't worry, theres other things you can do. Like music? Throw on an MP3 player and go for a jog when you're feeling down, I'm a gamer too but I find that the lack of physical energy involved really makes sleeping at night tough. The energy gains you'll notice after taking up jogging will make you feel amazing. My own personal fix, I bought a motorbike, I feel like a million bucks when im riding. If I feel like crap I'll go for a ride and enjoy some views in my favourite places out of town. Its my fix, it calms me down and it helps me sleep at night. Everyone has one, see if you cant find it =P (Yes, I realise this does not involve physical exertion, I didnt say I was perfect =P )
My biggest suggestion, quit smoking pot. Until you're head is cleared up, all it will do is fuck with your self esteem and your level of motivation. I was stoned every day, all day, for 3 years before I said enough is enough and quit. Dont make it a big deal, just find the reasons you WANT to quit, and quit. It'll suck for a couple weeks, you wont regret it. I will be 1 year off pot as of august 14th and this has been the best year of my life.
I havent had a proper girlfriend in a few years, I've fooled around, I've gotten laid, but that doesnt make you feel less alone. Girlfriends come with confidence, if you arent happy with yourself you wont be able to make them happy with you. I wont say not to try, just dont focus on it, if it happens it happens. When you're stumbling to get your footing, rejections have a very good tendancy of kicking out your knees. Trust me, I know D=
Everybody differs, I am, and always have been a very solitary person. Aside from pot I've always been largely against drugs. I have not been to a doctor for fear or being prescribed a pill to solve a problem I feel I can solve myself. I wont know if I made the right choice or not, I'm alive, I recently started to see a girl who makes me very happy, but I went through 4 years of feeling like crap to reach this point, and im far from fine, but hell if im not getting better! Hope my experience is atleast some help to you, from your OP It seemed kinda similiar, good luck in finding yourself, a job, and a pretty lady
Until you sit down with the right therapist and figure out what is bothering you, your depression will follow you forever. Emphasis is on, "the right therapist" because not every therapist is right for every person. Do some test driving.
this is very true. You're going to need to really take a look and figure out what is troubling you or you'll get nowhere fast. Therapy can expedite that process by an order of magnitude.
and plans are very not good. the readily-accessible one is not the one I'm be worried about, it's the one you fantasize about because it's an attractive idea that is scary.
these days I find smoking some pot increases my overall mood as it gives a me a nice mental vacation and slows things down. But I think its only because I'm so busy.
Ho ho, I ninja edit so you look foolish.
Shit, posting about a ninja edit is...hmmm.
Perhaps you are right! I kind of lean toward the idea that depression is mostly caused by mental issues that can be helped through various methods of stuff, and that chemical imbalance treated by meds is just treating symptoms, not the problem.
But that's just armchair doctor/psychologisting.
PS4:MrZoompants
1. If you go to an emergency psych place at a hospital and they feel you are indeed a danger to yourself or others they can initiate a 72 hour involuntary hold. It won't always happen but it can. If it does, you'll understandably be upset but the people there are professionals and they really are trying to help.
2. If you still have some suicidal ideation from time to time, especially if you're working on a plan to do it you should keep the number for whatever crisis/suicide hot line by the phone. Sounds like a silly thing but when you're stressed it isn't always easy to remember phone numbers. Keep in mind if an ambulance is sent to pick you up but you've admitted that you have a weapon or gun (which you should admit if you have one) they might also have police with them. It's just a safety precaution.
3. Getting out and doing things is an excellent idea. I think there have been some studies in Japan and Germany where people who walked through wooded trails reported an increase in positive mood. If there's a park nearby, see what it has to offer in that regard.
4. Do try and see a psychologist. Exercise, stopping with the weed and all those herbal supplements etc. are fine but really, Psychologists tend to work, and they often are connected to a Psychiatrist who can prescribe things for you if necessary. They'll also be a bit more aware of possible side effects and drug interactions for whatever meds they might suggest for you.
EXERCISE!
And it doesn't have to be at a gym:
Tenis is pretty awesome. Golfing and just walking the course without a cart. Swimming. Hiking is pretty nifty too, especially with Geocaching and you can find geocaching groups to go with to meet new people.