Is this depression?

Lately (for about 4-5 months) I have been feeling very down, not sleeping well, crying a lot, getting into fights with friends. I went to see the doctor and he gave me vitamin pills, which don't ...

Lately (for about 4-5 months) I have been feeling very down, not sleeping well, crying a lot, getting into fights with friends. I went to see the doctor and he gave me vitamin pills, which don't seem to be helping much.
Today was one of the worst days of my life. I actually felt like I just couldn't cope with my work and couldn't go on, was on the verge of tears or screaming or doing something, I don't know what!
I have told my friends who don't understand; they are all very immature. I have told my mum who makes me feel like an idiot, and my father refuses to believe that there's anything wrong with me and gets annoyed when I can't explain how I feel properly, or why.
I find it so hard to get up in the morning because every day is miserable. I'm embarrased at admitting I feel so down, getting upset often in front of people, angry with myself for upsetting my parents, and when I said I wanted to back to the doc everyone told me not to because antidepressants will mess me up.

Lucine H	I know how you feel trust me At least you HAVE friends though Try taking St John's Wort, that should help... it's cheap and natural helped for me for a while until i had to stop taking it because I was allregic

*rainbowlily**	i suffer from depression and also panic attacks, i was really bad so i know how your feeling, i have been on antidepressents on and off for the past 6 years they havent done anything to me, sum times to just need to break the cycle and i think you shud go babk to your doctor and say i want to go on them, they do help even a low dose will help you. also i think you shud do wot u think is best. and also ur mum shud be supporting you not ignoring you.

Mark	If you had the flu would you would be embarrased for being sick nor would you get out of bed. If you have the chiken pox or measels and yo were full of bumps would you feel embarrased,NO and you friends would understand your sick.Then don't feel embarrased for being so down. What your suffering from is improper serotonin levels, this chemical in the brain makes up how happy you are,how well you sleep and how you wake up. I know how hard it is for you to get out of bed and you are very sick. I reccomend that you don't tell your parents or your friends how you feel, they'' never under stand and even doctors are still skeptical about the serotonin. Look up depression on line and also ask a new doctor about trans cranial magnetic therapy if the meds don't help but they should help. I added the bottom paragragh first then put in the top one last. Anti depressants will not mess you up and I really can't believe your doctor never gave some thing for depression. Find another doctor because you really do need meds badly. Next time you see your doctor ask for Prozacs or Celexia. Celexia is a newer pill on the market and I don't know the side effects. Prozacs are old both pills work the same and I don't know about the side effects of celexia but for Prozacs, the first 3 days I felt off like I was numb. The fourth day I was okay. Once you get the proper meds you'll sleep better, you won't feel down and your crying will stop. You can go to a health food store and get gingko biloba or st. Johns wort they help. I take them when I can't afford Prozacs but there not strong enough , you need the chemical to get right in there.

WiserAngel	At your age, it could just be fluctuating hormones. It's a troubling time for all those hormones floating around. I would suggest you avoid sugars, fried foods, caffeine and alcohol too. Are you taking your vitamins? If you are doing all of those things and you still feel this way, you may have depression that you need help with. Is there anyone who could take you to a doctor or counselor for help?

Lynn	Yeah honey, sounds like you are depressed. But it's okay - it's not a bad thing. Don't ever be embarrassed about how you feel sweetie, we cannot control our feelings all the time. I am sure your parents are not upset with you, they're worried about you. They feel bad that you're feeling this way, they're blaming themselves, wondering if THEY did something wrong to make you feel this way..been there, done that with my own son. As far as the anti-depressants, it's not a bad thing. Both me and my son take them, it helps even you out. The ones today don't turn you into a zombie, they simply regulate your emotions & help with the depression.. I wish you the best of luck..know you are not alone honey. I'll say a prayer for you! Gentle hugs, Lynn

Miss RoZy	Sorry your parents are dismissing you this way. I have had depression and the best thing I found was I joined the gym. eve 3 times a week and it really makes you feel better. I go swimming also which is good and you get to know the others too

Rachel P	These are definate signs of depression. Go and see your doctor..they can refer you to counselling of you feel that that is what you may benefit from. Anti depressents are available but try other methods first!!

Toby J	Get help! your G.P is a good starting point. I don't know how school is structured nowadays, but if there is a teacher at school who you are comfortable talking to, Ask to speak to them somewhere private. They may be able to help.

stormyweather	sounds like depression bt could also be a hormonal imbalance. Go to the doctor and if you can't explain how you feel write it down and hand it to g.p. Chin up things can only get better.

ambrosia	antidepressants will make you feel better you may have a mild case! and it just may be the season! just go talk to a doctor and tell them how you feel!

missfilmdirector	why you won't tell us what is really bothering you? what make you so sad? do you hate your life? You don't have a love life? why not watch some comedy movies or some comedy tv shows, maybe that will help.

lorraine m	Sounds like you are depressed ,sometimes people dont know what to say in these situations ,everyone feels down from time to time but this isnt right ,what has happened in your life to make you feel like that ?Was your childhood ok ,sometimes things lay dormaint for years and then they bubble up,have you got a lady doctor at your surgery or a nurse,have a word with your mum again and make her understand you are being serious ,why dont you think about trying out regular exercise i go to the gym 5 times a week and feel great exercise releases endorphins in your body they make you feel good honestly it really works ,i dont believe you should get more pills from your doctor ,have you got an older sister or an aunt you can talk to ,sometimes if you write everything down that can make you feel better to , i feel for you but you need to try and work out what is making you feel like this,i hope i have helped you and dont blame yourself ,the people that know you love you they just feel that covering it up under a carpet is better but its not helping you xxxxxxxxx

Weimer 1	Hi. You didnt say how old you are, but judging by what you say, you sound quite young. Now listen, and take note of all the advice you get here from people, I am currently on sick with panic attacks (which I have had for 7 years) and its turned into depression. I think you are suffering from stress, have you taken too much on recently, a change in your usual routine, which has made you react in a way? You need a friend to rely on, and your parents need to listen to you. I had this for years, people saying when I had a panic attack, "Pull yourself together" Its the worse thing anyone could possibly say, because if we could "pull ourselves together" we would... You must go see your Dr again, and if you are too young to go on your own, you must make mum go with you, and stress how much this means to you. If you are not too young, just go on your own. Have a good old cry, and make the Dr listen to you. I always poo pood anti depressants, but I am taking mine every day, indeed, what is a little tablet a day if they help you get through that day. Good luck

minshops17	it sounds like depression, i've suffered from depression since September of last year, and have found lots of resourses that actually help. First off, if your family doctor doesn't treat this seriously, i would strongly suggest a second opion, I've been on anti-depressants since last sept., Luvox, and it helps!!! Also try exercise, it releases a chemical that triggers the nervous system, and talk to someone, even try a support group, if your friends and family don't understand, then try speaking to a professional, councellor, ect., Lastly, anti-depressants won't mess you up, they actually help!!!! There still a taboo about depression, but many people suffer from it, so don't feel that you're alone, speak to someone who understands, and get help. You deserve to be happy, this is an illness, not made up, so don't go another day feeling miserable, there's lots of help and resourses available.

Country Girl	listen you need some hep and suplets get you thru a black spot then use them sounds like depression to me and I shud know go back to your doctor and tell him what youve just written here hes not listening to you at all sweetie I recommend keeping a journal of your feelings if you record it all youll be able to look bak when you feel better excersize is a good way to release endorphins happy hormones also a healthy diet and lots of water and a strict routinr I know all this is soooo hard when your suffering I wish you well and feel free to e mail me should you need any more advice lots of love xx

Westley K	Hi, this definately sounds like depression to me. I would definately suggest going to the doctors again. Anti Depresents will not mess you up at all. There is obviously a stigma attached to them, but these alter certain chemcials in your brain which will give you that Gentle lift to get you going again. Then you can gradually start coping with all the day to day chores that you have. A good idea is to also set yourself goals for each day. nothing too big, but little goals, like get up, eat breakfast, take a shower. When you start achieving the goals you will start to feel you have accomplished things step by step. Maybe a dose of counselling at the same time could help. Please seek help as this is such a sorry state to get yourself into, trust me i know from experience it is not easy to get yourself out of it. Excercising is also a very good thing to do when depressed. Good luck and keep your chin up.

Eliel S	Now thats signs of depression. I know how you feel... just relax and pretend nothing has happened at all !

deecollinsbalili	I've been where your at now and it wasn't pretty. Antidepressants work. They saved my sanity. I would also advise seeing a different doctor. If you explained how you have been feeling and his answer is vitamins........ well lets just say he couldn't have been listening to you. There are side effects with antidepressants however all medications have side effects. Good luck.

Andy	i would say you are depressed and should talk to your doctor and try to do it with out your parents.

Wild seed	I am not a doctor, but I have been suffering with depression since I was a young teenager and i must say that it does sound as though you are depressed. It is unfortunate that people are telling you that antidepressants will mess you up, because for me, they have helped me. Your family are not medical professionals, and this depression is beyond your family doctor. Ask to be referred to someone...maybe just a psychologist/psychiatrist who can them determine if they believe you would benefit from drug therapy. Sometimes.....just talking helps. I wish you the best of luck..and feel free to email if you want to ask anything of someone who has been there!!!

mellouckili	I think that you have a lot of stress in your life and that is what is getting you down. Personally I would not go on antidepressants because what you need is to get to the root of the problem and anti depressants will not help you in the long run, you don't want to be dependant on medication for feeling good, you should want to feel good because things in your life are going well. What you have to do is focus on is what is making you feel bad in your life, do you feel that you have not achieved your goals? have you not got a good rewarding job? and do you have a good network of good friends? these are the things that you should look into and once you have improved certain aspects of your life you will feel much better and happier again. I think you have circumstantial depression, which means when things change you will change.

lizjess2000	it sounds like it go back your docs an tell him everything its a ilness nothing to be ashamed of goodluck

oddball59	This really does sound like depression. You are wise to want to seek help. You do need to go back to the doctor and if you find it difficult to explain, maybe because you're upset, it might be a good idea to write down what you want to tell him then give him the note. As these feelings have persisted for so long, I don't think you should ignore them any longer. If the doctor decides anti depressants are the way to go, then try them, remember though they take around 3 weeks to start working effectively. He may suggest counselling, though. The main things is, you do not have to live your life this way. Best wishes.

Pauly	Never be angry with yourself for how you feel. It sounds like you might benefit from seeing a counsellor. You don't have to tell anyone that you're seeking help if you think they'll criticise you for it. You might find it helps more than you realise to talk things through with a detached party.

alohafridayalex	those are signs of depression, but i don't think anyone besides a psycologist/psychiatrist can properly diagnose you.

Spiny Norman	Some of the modern antidepressants like Cipralex are not addictive and can be very effective. I would ask your GP about these, but they will take several weeks before you feel any benefit.

wendysegall	Hi - i know how you feel. you didn't say your age but i'm probably older than you. A few years ago I felt the same way as you do now. I cried alot, no patience, wanted to walk in front of a bus, etc.... so i decided to go see a doc and he tried me on anti-depressant pills - they were wonderful, for a while, then they started to have the opposite effect (which I hear is common), so i tried other pills. PIlls are good but also talking to a professional will help. Even excercise will make you feel better. I'm much better now, i do get upset sometimes, that's normal, but i'm under control. Hope you find a solution. take care.

The Deafening Silence	It could be depression, but it also could be that you find a certain measure of your life unfulfilling. Have you denied yourself something that you really want (material) or want to do (dance, sing, write)? Have you identified you passion is life. Sometimes, seeking medication is just the easy way out because it gets you dope up, but sometimes the answer is something else. try to take a measure of your life and see if there is anything you want to change. Maybe once you discover that, you'll bounce back.

Nic	It sounds like depression to me. The more you continue with this on your own, the worse it will become. As no one understands what you are going through you will start to feel like you are a bad or wrong or inadequate person for feeling this way and so your confidence will be affected. This happened to me so much so that I confined myself to my house and refused to see anyone cos none of them understood me and plus (I'd convinced myself that I was inferior, inedequate nd unworthy) they all thought I was weird. Maybe this wont happen but I've done al lot of reading into this subject and studied pychology and it does seem to be a common theme. I'm not saying it to frighten you but to make u realise that unless you do something now, it will more than likely get worse. YOU MUST speak to your doctor about it and also asking him if you could speak to a psychologist to clarify and change your thoughts and feelings into positive ones. This does work. Also why don;t you go to your library and get out books on depression and positive thinking. They have done a lot for me as they show me that although I may feel unworthy, pathetic, guilty and basically a 'bad' person, these feelings aren't actually true. It depression telling you this and replacing your normal view of yourself What makes your parents the leading experts on depression? Are they doctors or psychiatrists? Probaly not, therefore you need to disregard other their views (and thats all they are 'views' not fact) and trust people who know what they are talking about with this. Hope I've helped if u need to talk feel free to email Nic

alaskagirl	Antidepressants are not always the answer but they defiantly can help. The main problem I think is finding the medication that fits you best. I would suggest going back to the doctor and tell him/her that vitamins are not helping. Be firm about this, even if he trys to say that they will take time to really start working. One thing that I want to suggest is to try and start walking or running. Put on your favorite music and just go for it. It will not only give you good endorphins but you can run to get anger out, listen to sad songs and cry. It's just a good way to let your emotions out. Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

Lissa Listens	What you describe can be depression or anxiety or a mix of the two which is not uncommon. Are you going to let "everyone" decide your life for you? Antidepressants are difficult for some people to take, but even more are helped by them. There are many kinds and its a manner of finding the one right for you, since we all react differently to them. It is usually people with an agenda of some kind that scream no meds, no therapy. Your agenda should be getting yourself feeling better about life. LISSA