TeenHelp - Dear depression

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- - Dear depression (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f11-depression-suicide/t143525-dear-depression/)

I saw my doctor on Monday, was really nervous because last time I tried to get a diagnosis I got brushed off because I smiled, leading up to My appointment I just felt so nervous and ended up relapsing a few times with self harm, now it's been a few days since going to the doctor, and i have a diagnosis and got prescribed medication. Which I started today, so glad that I can get the help I need. But also really nervous, because what if they don't work,and I have to be put on more pills or different ones? I just barely was able to afford these ones..

Anyone who has been on anti depressants, can you let me know how it went for you, and what it's like?

I'll end this post with a little something i just thought of.
Dear depression, I'm done with you.

Re: Dear depression

Hi Jake. I'm so glad you are getting the medical attention you needed! It's incredibly frustrating to not be taken seriously when you ask for help. So I'm glad you persisted.

Medication is a very tough thing to get right the first time. I've been on medication for about 10 years. I've been on about 6 different anti-depressants. However, at times some of them did work. I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and am on other medications too. So that could be why my meds would stop working. Though it is possible that the current antidepressants you are on may not work with your body chemistry.

Try not to think negatively though. Think positive. It helps no matter if the current meds work or not. Try to imagine these will work for you. Don't look for any major changes (it takes anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on the medication). Generally, it takes about 2-4 weeks for others to see the change in you and 4-8 weeks for you to notice a change.

It is common to have side effects the first 2-3 weeks, but they generally subside if they are not very severe side effects. I never experienced bad side effects except for one medication. So we stopped it after the first week. All the others I was on for lengthy times to see if they would work. Some didn't change anything after weeks. Others worked for months or a year. Again, my case may have been different given I have now been diagnosed Bipolar. That changes how antidepressants work alone in your body.

Just don't get overwhelmed or upset if the first medication doesn't work. Teenhelp is here for you! If you ever need to chat one-on-one, try the chat-room or feel free to message me.

You're obviously resilient for persisting in getting help. You can definitely beat your depression! :)

Re: Dear depression

Hello :hug: And there's nothing wrong with relapsing because we've all tried to quit some bad habit and it's come back to haunt us one way or the other, but what matters is that we're fighting, and that we aren't letting it take control. :hug: Give yourself a pat on the back because you've got the willpower to fight what ails you, which means that you're also going to win over it!

I haven't been on any, but what I do know is that the true antidepressant in life is your positivity, and what you do with it. If you can make it count and start a strong, happy system of living throughout your days, then it'll be all right , no matter what you face. This is because your strong mind and determination will allow you to overcome anything you face, any situation you're in and any mean people who want to do nothing but belittle you and your exploits.

:hug: I'm happy to hear that things are getting better for you, and I'll always be around if you need a friend to rant to or just some advice.