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depression: first step towards help?

xcental34x

xcental34x

Feb 28, 2003
2,570
4
40
Memphrica, TN
#1
For as long as I can remember I've never been happy with life, and now its come to the point where life is unbearable. After getting fired from my job, my money problems are getting worse, I'm 2 months behind in rent, I don't for certain know when I will have a job, I feel alone and like my friends want to have nothing to do with me, especially my roommates, but most of all, I just feel like my life has gone completely to ****. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell me I'm suffering from some sort of depression. My problem is, I don't know where to start to get help. I'm wanting desparately to seek help, but I'm afraid of opening up to certain people. I have no doubt that things can get better, but I can't sit around anymore and wait for that. I always sit around waiting for my life to improve itself, and it never does. Can anyone offer some advice? I'm not exactly sure what sort of help I should be looking for.
 
#2
why not talk to a doctor or a psych?
they have tests that you can take to see if you are clinically depressed and they can get you started on your way back :)
if you don't want to talk to them, if you are in school you can talk to the school doctor or other people in health services, and they are all really nice people :)

good luck, and as red green says, "we're all pulling for you" :)
 
#3
Most municipalities or counties have mental health facilities that have counselors who will talk to you for little or no money. Find one in your area and get help from a professional immediately. Just the act of taking this step will lift a burden off you and give you some hope that things will get better, which they will. Good luck to you.
 
#4
Talking to a doctor is what I am wanting to do, I'm just not sure what kind of doctor I need to talk to. Some have referred me to speak with a physician first, and others have told me to go straight to a psychologist.

Munji, thanks for the advice. I'll see if there isn't a local facility around town.
 
#6
xcental34x said:
I always sit around waiting for my life to improve itself, and it never does.
Click to expand...
I think you answered your own question. You have to actively work to improve things. Super and Munji have good advice, get some pro help. But also look at other things.

If jobs are a problem, look at post-secondary education. As a mature student, you might even be able to get in on some sort of program that will help pay for it. Skilled trades are in demand right now.

Are there jobs you would like to do? Look into how to get into them. You have the free time, so use it.

"we're all pulling for you"
 
#7
Jobs are the one thing I might have figured out. I reapplied to work at UPS, and I'm waiting to be called back to go in for processing, But the longer I wait, the more bills pile up, and my car payment is something that I CANNOT fall behind on. Along with UPS, I'm hoping to get a temporary part time job with Kroger, whom I've worked with before, until school starts in the fall.
 
#9
Ok. The first step is to realize YOU ARE NOT Alone! There are others on this board who suffer from this and have gotten help. So, I'll be the first to speak up.

Call the Depression Hotline at 630-482-9696 there is also a 1-800 that they will give you. Tell the counselors EXACTLY what you wrote in this post. They will refer you to local help. You can get good help for free or on a sliding scale.

Avoid the mistakes that I (and others) have made. So:
1. Don't drink
2. Don't use ANY drugs
3. Don't try to fix this by relying on your friends or by airing the problem out in public

It has cost me 20 yrs of my life. Get help now so you can start living again.

Peace
 
#10
bassksun said:
Ok. The first step is to realize YOU ARE NOT Alone! There are others on this board who suffer from this and have gotten help. So, I'll be the first to speak up.

Call the Depression Hotline at 630-482-9696 there is also a 1-800 that they will give you. Tell the counselors EXACTLY what you wrote in this post. They will refer you to local help. You can get good help for free or on a sliding scale.

Avoid the mistakes that I (and others) have made. So:
1. Don't drink
2. Don't use ANY drugs
3. Don't try to fix this by relying on your friends or by airing the problem out in public

It has cost me 20 yrs of my life. Get help now so you can start living again.

Peace
Click to expand...

The best advice on here.
I'd call that number and find a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or social worker. Try a clinic as well.
I'd go the psych route before a primary care medical doctor.
An MD in psych can get you meds if you need them, but they can help with cognitions and psych. as well.
Maybe even self help groups.
 
#11
bassksun said:
Ok. The first step is to realize YOU ARE NOT Alone! There are others on this board who suffer from this and have gotten help. So, I'll be the first to speak up.

Call the Depression Hotline at 630-482-9696 there is also a 1-800 that they will give you. Tell the counselors EXACTLY what you wrote in this post. They will refer you to local help. You can get good help for free or on a sliding scale.

Avoid the mistakes that I (and others) have made. So:
1. Don't drink
2. Don't use ANY drugs
3. Don't try to fix this by relying on your friends or by airing the problem out in public

It has cost me 20 yrs of my life. Get help now so you can start living again.

Peace
Click to expand...
+1 keep well away from the dope and alcohol.

I totally agree with whats being said. Getting pro help is the next move. There's lots of info around to help people who become mentally ill. There's also some extremely good medicines avaliable to help you sort out your problems.
 
#12
arbitrary said:
The best advice on here.
I'd call that number and find a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or social worker. Try a clinic as well.
I'd go the psych route before a primary care medical doctor after trying the psych route.
An MD in psych can get you meds if you need them, but they can help with cognitions as well.
Click to expand...
They'll give you the same test or one very much the same, maybe by just asking questions, and I don't want to know the answers. It's your test.
This is the best way to go, but I work nights and am off tonight so I'm here if you need me.
 
#16
Definitely avoid drugs and alcohol. but also, try to avoid processed foods and food with additives, preservatives, colours etc. Sometimes these can contribute to your emotional wellbeing.

Try to stay fit, healthy etc. Try to spend time playing your bass, or walking the dog - stay mentally and physically active so you don't dwell on your issues, and as mentioned, seek personal assistance from a trained medical/psychological professional.

As always with these kinds of threads, be wary of accepting medical advice from an internet forum.

Good luck, my friend.
 
#17
Munjibunga said:
OK, then stay depressed. It's your life.
Click to expand...

Ouh Come On, give Him A Break... Don't You Think Thats A Little Harsh??
But There Is Such Things Like Tough Love:D

Coming From Me, This Might Not Be Much But
Depression IS a Sickness...They Have Medicine To Cure It...

"We're All Pulling For You"
 
#19
xcental34x said:
I'd be nervous about calling a number. Like I said before, I'm really protective about who I open up to, and I'm always afraid of asking the wrong questions.
Click to expand...
You're not calling 911. They are not going to trace the call. Your asking for help, I don't think any of us are shrinks, but some of us (including me) have been there before. This is the best we can do. You have to take it to a doctor otherwise. A GP can do it, a Psychologist can't prescribe meds if you need them but they normally screen you for a Psychiatrist who can.
 
#20
xcental34x said:
I'd be nervous about calling a number. Like I said before, I'm really protective about who I open up to, and I'm always afraid of asking the wrong questions.
Click to expand...

I called the number before I posted it to make sure they were still in business. They will not ask you for any personal info...credit card etc. Other people in my group have used a number like that. If you don't want to call them OK...Munji posted some good refs for you. Try those in the morning.

You cannot ask the wrong question or any wrong question.

Being protective is not bad...it is our way of keeping from being hurt. But it can also be our way to keeping from being helped. Believe me. Be more afraid of the hell (not the religious kind) you will face if don't seek pro help now.
 

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