Does medication/therapy really help?

[zizoo]

I'm 19 I've been depressed for the last 6-7 years. I'm also extremely paranoid about stupid stupid things I tell myself to relax this is stupid just get over it, but I can't. I literally spend all night/day thinking about it. And as soon as I get over one thing something new comes along. It's a never ending cycle. I don't want to go on medication, but I feel like I'm at a point where there's no other choice. Is anyone going/gone through anything like this? And did therapy/medication help?

[zizoo]

Thank you for your advice. My cousin has been depressed/taking medication since the age of 17 he's 31 now, and honestly he's just become worse, and whenever he tries to get off medication he can barely function. That's what freaks me out about going to a psychiatrist. I definitely want help, but I don't want to go numb. I'm still young, and I'm afraid if I start taking pills now I won't be able to function without them.

[Hensley258]

If it makes you feel better, I take two different medications for my Cronic Depressive dissorder and anxiety disorder and it doesn't at all make me feel, "numb."

When my meds are working such as they should I just pretty much feel normal. You know; like a normal person without severe depression feels.

I still feel sadness, Joy, anger, and all the other emotions that normal people feel.

[therese83]

You do not have to suffer on like this.  If it was your friend who posted this you would encourage them to see a Doctor.  I am on the right medication and doing really well, living a full and happy life.  Take action now.

[zizoo]

Thank you all for your advice. I've already scheduled an appointment for next week. In my crazy head I think the fact the I'm going to get help will make all my obsessive thoughts come true. Which is making me realize how much I really do need to get a hold of this. I'm more concerned with curing the ocd/obsessive thoughts than I am the depression. I'm pretty sure when I can get over thinking/analyzing things 24/7 I'll feel much better. Will medication help me not think/worry/analyze my thoughts so much?

[lonewolf07]

Sometimes you have to "shop" for a shrink till you find one you trust and feel comfortable with AND one who will openly discuss the good and bad aspects of meds.  Recently, my depression has become really bad and the shrink is actually looking at what anti-depressants are the most suitable.  I also talk to the pharmacist about side-effects because often pharmacists have a different perspective on meds than drs do.  I need to have therapy along with anti-depressants because meds on their own don't work for me - but this might not be the case for everyone.

IMHO, a good shrink will give you the lowest dose possible at first and then gradually increase it if necessary.  I hope you are "successful" with your appointment.

[therese83]

Yes the right medication can stop those thoughts, sure

[maggie571]

Yes i am on medication & i also see a councilor every week, & i find that talkiing to some one who understands a great help.

[JKJ]

Hi,

It's different for each person and each person's situation.  While meds might help one person, they might not help someone else.  Same goes for therapy.  This is something you need to discuss with a physician and then decide what is best for you.

The most important thing is that you make an informed decision...get several professional opinions if you have to.  It's your life.  I hope you feel better soon....take good care,

[sassygirl8]

Im not a medical expert of any kind, so keeping that in mind I will tell you my experience.  I have been on anti-depressants for 14 years.  I remember when I first went on them, it was during  post-partum depression and I thought it would just be for a while.  After about 2-3 weeks, I told my mother, I thought that maybe I should have been on this medication my whole life.  I think I had been depressed my whole life, but never having "not been depressed", I didnt know the difference.  Now I definitely know the difference.  
About 4-5 years ago, I went thru what I guess you could consider a break-down.  I went thru a divorce, had a series of health issues and lost my best friend. At my wits end, I decided to see a psychiatrist.  He raised my dosage and added an anti-anxiety drug as well.  As for the physical symptoms of depression I was having, it helped tremendously.  However, I believe inside every depressed, or anxiety-ridden person out there, lies a root cause to their mental state.  Until that root cause is not only discovered, but dealt with,  the medicine will just help get thru each day.  
Dealing with the cause is another story.  Its only been recently that I have realized that as long as nothing comes up to refresh the memories of the "root cause", and I take my medicine, which I am now physically in need of to get thru each day, all is well.  But when a situation or occurence takes place that triggers that traumatic experience ("root-cause"), Im back down to the terrified little girl I was when the very cause of my psychosis occured.  
I am now in the process of finding a counselor that deals with Cognitive Behavior Therapy.  This is a therapy in which you learn to take the negative responses to the stimulus that causes your reaction and teaches you to re-train the voices in your head (so-to-speak) into positive responses.  I truly believe that this is the only real cure to my issues.  
I say all of this, only after many life experiences and a recent situation, in which I realized that my belief system was based onthe really bad experience and was to blame for my reactions to things.  I hope this is the answer and I know it will be a lengthy process to go thru, but I am hopeful that this will help me to be able to gradually ween off of the meds and become a healthier person.
I hope this helps.