Don't worry about taking medicine, it's the best thing for me. When I first was diagnosed with depression I was a junior in high school, I am now a senior in college. there were times where I was maxed out on meds and I was a hair from being locked up becasue my doctor was afraid I would hurt myself. I have been through hell and back with this depression, ran away from home, stole my moms car and went to St. Louis (sp), came home because I could hear the pain and hurt in my parents voices, never hear or seen my dad cry until that day. He was a real jerk to me and to hear him cry made me want to come home.
Sorry I'm getting long winded here, The best thing that I did when I got to college was getting a job that I really like, making friends with the people I work with, finding a major that I really like and trying hard to get good grades.
Hang in there, if it wern't for those meds I would be dead right now. I know those meds are reason I'm still here so don't push them away. Take all the help you can get.

Good Luck, stay strong and you will make it through.

 

Just keep trying until someone can set you up on the medications that will work. I have been in a deep funk for almost a year (female related). In that period i have lost about 40 lbs, gone days without being able to sleep, and kept myself away from most of my friends and family, because i don't want to be around anyone. I really would like to see a therapist right now, but can't because of money issues. My mom has seen one for 18 years, mostly because of depression and it has helped her greatly. If icould get some money together i would go in a heartbeat. I would rather take one pill a day for the rest of my life and be "normal" than feel the way i do and think the horrible thoughts i do. Hang in there and don't get down.. it happens to everyone.

 

I forgot this-- You stated that you didn't want to take medicine for the rest of your life. You may only be placed on it for a very short time anyways until they figure out everything. I know alot of people that only took meds for 6 months to 1 1/2years. Taking medicine isn't the end of the world. After a certain age most of us will be taking medicine for the rest of our lives anyways- just the world we live in. Ever since I graduated from high school I have had a series of different illnesses and injuries. I am almost 40, now. Almost died about a dozen times in 2003 alone, hasn't been the greatest thing but I am doing all I can to better myself and to enjoy everday I can. UNCLE JESSE- there are many places that can help you based on your income look in the yellow pages under mental health care and call the local regular health department and ask for a referral- monies are provided so that anyone can get help needed. AS far as problems with relationships with women- the right one comes along - you don't want to put yourself through hell for that. First , divorce I had -well I battered myself pretty bad- I look back and she did me a favor- she is a mess all the way aorund now. Last seperation I had her child was a serial sex offender /child molestor- 3d generation on his dads side. SHe hid that from me from day one unitl I caught him in the act. I never slept again because he was living with us, I loved that girl tremendously, but she lied to me from day one. That is not a relationship. I am glad as can be to be out of it- again she did me a favor by getting out of my life. I will add her child was later found out to have the full profile of a serial killer. He is in prison now. Glad I don't have any of them around me. I think when people have problems with relationships alot of it is just because they want the person from being rejected. Uncle Jesse start really looking at the bad parts of her as well, I think you will see it like I do then. Sometimes we love or like alot people that we shouldn't. There are many fishes in the sea........

 

Hmmm . . . After reading these posts I don't know what to think. I haven't ever been a supporter of conventional medicine. Even Counselors or psychiatrists. I think that I am still on the fence with the whole issue. I agree that chemical imbalances can affect your emotions and/or moods.

Hmmm . . . . I will say this ranger rules, you are a very courageous man. To share something like this with us takes a lot of guts. Not knowing everything that has happened in your life, or the decisions that you have made in the past, you seem to be a good man. Whatever you have to do to get through this, stick it out man. The world needs more good people like you. Live your life with passion and no regret, do what you can when you can, there is no consequence worth keeping you from doing the right thing. There has to be something greater than you and I, when you find it for yourself remain steadfast. Hope is what keeps us holding on bleeding, broken and torn.

 

The stress of University or College straight out of high school can cause even the strongest of people grief. There is no break inbetween the transition, and the demands placed upon you are higher with little to no sympathy if you struggle. I know, I was in the same boat. My advice is to take a year off. Find a job working with foundation, or on the highways or building pools. It gives your mind a break, and gives you some perspective on where you want your life to go, and maybe some perspective on you education. I did that, worked all those jobs on my year off, and back to university with renewed energy. Just a thought.

-Matt

 

I already have started looking at her in a different light. I found out several instances she lied to me. She told me recently that she has a problem with jealousy when she gets to close to someone, that's why she did the things to me she did. Now, she is with a guy that has destroyed her tv with a hammer, kicker her dog so hard he urinated blood, destroyed more of telephones so she could not call for help than i could count, and physically abused her. In fact, he was arrested in another state while they were traveling and she still took him back. He threatned my life as well, which is when i bought my .40 for protection. She is someone i don't need in my life, but at the same time it still hurts to have someone you cared about and loved destroy all hope and trust you had in them. I am 31 years old, and i had hoped by this point i would be able to meet someone with their head on a little tighter. Live and learn, though... I think i will see just how much a therapist would cost, i do have insurance and think it might be covered.. Thanks..

 

Hey Jesse, just a couple words. First of all, you sound like a very genuine nice guy who take a bullet for anyone for all the wrong reasons. With someone like that around, I'd hate for them to be in a state of lesser quality of life. You can only help those that WANT to be helped, and it doesn't look like she wants to be helped right now. Some day, she will realize the he is *actually* a jerk and leave. Yes, it may take A LOT for that to finally happen, but unless she is willing to act on what you're trying to help her with, then her inactivity is hurting you both. SHe's a grown person who can think and act for herself. Everyone makes bad decisions in their lives, it'll just take some time for her to realize her bad decision.
If nothing else, call the cops on him for abuse and offer her a few sessions to a shrink. True, not covered by your insurance, but if that expense will bring her back into your life, where you can nurture her and take care of her and love her the way we all want to be loved, then the expense is minimal.

 

Thanks. She was actually a blind date that turned into 3 months of terrific-can't wait to see her every aching moment to- her trying to do everything to drive me away. She was in a 7 year relationship before i met her with someone who didn't want her, but didn't want anyone else to have her either. She has been abused before, and i guess i didn't fit the bill. Sorry, but i was raised to open doors for women, not slam them against them. I have tried everything i can think of her to show her she does not deserve to be treated this way, but she still doesn't want to change things. I am the one she calls crying after he hits her, but she won't call the cops. I have had all my friends tell me you can't help someone who doesn't want help.. It's just that i hate being a good loser, it leads to bad habits. Sorry to hijack this thread Ranger Rules.. See, you are not the only one with problems, and at least you are getting professional help.

Better to be alone than with someone who doesn't appretciate you and takes everything you do for them for granted...

 

Personally, I'd call the cops on him. You know what's going on and it isn't doing either of you any good. Would you rather have her call you crying after playing punching bag, or her NOT talking to you because you sent her 'loving, caring boyfriend' to the pen? I know what I'd do...I've come REAL, REAL close to beating down a total stranger for defacing his significant other in a bar before.

 

I am 37yrs old and have finally went for help 3 months ago I know about the I can shake it off or there is nothing wrong with me.After 15 yrs of dealing with this I finally said enough is enough and went to see the DR. He told me I had a chemical imbalance and put me on Depecote and it has made me feel like myself again. I only wish I would have done somthing long ago and not put myself thru some of things I have.
Ranger Good job on going early in life!!!!

 

Folks, I can't believe so many would air their problems on a Ford forum but I guess it shows there are a lot of people with anxities of one type or another.
Listen to Snowfighter. There is a lot of valuable common sense directive in his post. It sounds, like others, he's "been there, done that". Read his post over and over until you are convinced to follow his advice. ....
......A mind is a terrible thing to waste...

 

Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if anyone knew how to get medical help if you don't have insurance. I called the hospital to find out and the $ they want for a visit is rediculisley high. Thanks, Dave

 

I have heard of lost cost DR's that work off of a percentage of what you make I would look for somthing and not let this go untreated.

 

to anyone having problems-

learn to play guitar- does wonders.

cranberries songs are awesome with that kinda stuff.

pills have never done me much good in the past either but you've gotta try something

 

Both my Mother and my Father suffered from depression, in my Mother's case, she was diagnosed as bi-polar when she was 58 years old when she went into rehab for drug and alcohol abuse issues. My Dad remained somewhat undiagnosed most of his life as well, but once he began treatment for pancreatic cancer, his doctor began giving him anti-depressants as well. Seemed to help him quite a bit.

All of my life, my Mother just seemed like she had some problems, nothing a little effort to 'deal' with wouldn't cure, right? Uh-uh...that's not the way bi-polar disorder works...all the effort in the world can't make it right. As others here have said, it's a chemical imbalance in one's brain and therefore isn't a typical "mind over matter" issue. One of the biggest blessings of my life was knowing that my Mother had made it out of rehab, was taking the proper medications to correct the imbalance, and had begun making amends for her previous bad behavior. Unfortunately, my Mother died shortly after her release from rehab, so she never got to experience the possible fullness she would have likely had if she had gotten a diagnosis earlier, and had dealt with the bi-polar issue over years instead of months.

My Dad was never able to fully deal with his tendency toward depression either, less than a year after my Mother died, so did my Dad. I often wonder what my Dad would have been like had he too been treated for his depression, but now I will never know.

And here's the kicker...things like bi-polar disorder are passed on genetically, at least the predisposition to it. My sister abundantly proves this, as she has been in therapy for many years and takes a variety of anti-depressants as well. She is doing OK. I am not doing as well as I would like to be. As my Father passed away 9 months ago, I didn't realize the depths to which one could sink in a true depression, but I know now. And every single day I struggle with whether I should go to a doctor for treatment of my depression, even though I KNOW that I came by it honestly...I keep thinking that if I just 'hang on' a little longer, these feelings will dissipate...but they don't - and they probably won't until I get help.

So, here I am, 41 years old, facing the biggest challenge of my life to date, having fears similar to yours Ranger, in that I don't want to feel as though I am chained to a bottle of pills for the rest of my life, feeling like I am somehow to blame for not being somehow 'stronger' than this disorder that is robbing me of a peaceful, contented life...or, at least the chance at one.

You 'young' folks are much better at taking these kinds of proactive risks...so I applaud your efforts to date, and I commend you for stepping past your own fears to take more control of your life than some people EVER will. I believe that you will succeed!

Take care.