How do I overcome my depression?

Lately I've been feeling really suicidal due to family issues and other personal problems. The stress of work and school on top of that kills me. I feel sick to my stomach and I have headaches constantly. I really want to end it all but I'm too scared to actually act upon my thoughts. I can't afford therapy and I'm at my wits end. I don't want to take depression medication because that only is going to cover up my issues. How can I overcome depression without therapy? I'm starting to scare myself.

I'm only 19 y/o.

[stupidmistake303]

and i can't see my school counselor for free because there's a waiting list. i'm afraid that by the time i can see a counselor it will be too late. :[

[stupidmistake303]

my parents don't take me seriously. i've told them i need help. they'd take it seriously if they woke up and found me dead though.

[LeftCoastChick]

A lot of times depression is a chemical imbalance, but if you are suicidal, at this point meds should be required even if you only take them for a period of time. Depression is a serious illness, especially if you are suicidal, you need to get some help even if you just go to your family doctor.  I'm sure your parents would help with the meds.  You need to get help immediately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, as well attempting suicide as revenge is just so inherently wrong. Doing something like that can massacre another  person's emotions for the rest of their lives. I've attempted and I lost two loyal friends because it devastated them so much. I had a friend in high school who completed the act, no one was aware he was even depressed. He had a brother who was so overwhelmed he killed himself as well.  In my opinion, suicide is the most selfish act. Go to your local ER, they will take you as seriously as someone having a heart attack.

Here is a website where you can find hotlines to assist you in getting help :

http://www.befrienders.org/helplines/helplines.asp?c2=USA

[Craigers]

One thing to help gain control of your depression is doing what u are doing now, (taling about it).  Keeping it all bottle inside only makes it worse.  Whether you find a friend, significant other or someone you trust to talk about your issues.  Depression doesn't cure itself on its own.  It takes steps to "he;lp" overcome the depression.  I have been depressed all my life.  But back in 2005 until now it has started getting worse.  I started cutting myself every time I was emotionally hurt.  I didn't want to feel the mental pain but rather the physical pain.  But to help mself in regards to this topic, I am trying to do some journaling.  When I get the urge to cut or do some self harm.  I try to come in these forums to get some advice, which may be an alternative therapy.  I know there is agencies out there to help people who may be on low-income or free of charge.  But doing your self in is not the answer.  I learned that many times.  Life is too short.  One good advice I can givef you is try not to get yourself overwhelmed with all the issues you have going on.  Take one thing at a time.  You have already made a first step and that is coming in here to this forum and talk about what is on your mind.  I hope i have helped you some.

Craig

[mac17]

Take it from someone who has been depressed since High School...seek help now! if I had known back then that what I had was depression instead of thinking there was something wrong with me and that I was never gonna be normal like the other kids, I would have gone to see a doctor soon...You have to do it now! untreated depression made me drop out of school cause I couldnt concentrate at all, it made me engage in dangerous sexual behavior that caused me to do horrible things that got me even more depressed, it got me in trouble with the law, and so much more. I let this happen to me only for not realizing I had a medical conditon, for just thinking that Im just weird and would never be normal, for listening to my parents who didnt believe in depression and that would tell me I was just being a wimp and had to get some guts. My turning point was 2 yrs ago when I tried to kill myself in the parking lot of my college. I managed to call 911 right before I did it, encouraged by my bf whom I called to tell him what I was about to do. I was taken to the ER, sent to the psychiatry unit and stayed there for 2 weeks. I was diagnosed with depression for the first time, started on medication, and got therapy as an outpatient at the hospital after my release. For 2 weeks I was locked up in this Unit to which no one but the nurses and doctors had access to. I could only see my family and bf one hr at a certain time every day. I spent the two weeks sitting, sleeping in my bed all day, and staring at the view outside the window. Felt more alone than ever. However, at the same time, being diagnosed was great news to me, cause it gave me hope, it made me realize that I was not deffective as I had always believed, that I wasnt just a weirdo that didnt belong anywhere nor would ever be happy. It made me see the light to a brighter future, a future that I never thought I would even reach before. Im back in school now and still battling depression, trying different meds, but the difference now is that I know I will be fine, one day all of this will be behind me and I will be that strong, happy-go-lucky girl I used to be.
My point is, you dont want to end up going through the same hell I went through for yrs before I was diagnosed. You dont want to end up in a psychiatry ward surrounded by other patients who dont even know who they are, talk to themselves, scream at night, or are attached to machines cause they tried to kill themselves and doctors are now trying to save their lives.
Untreated depression will bring you hell, dont want to scare you but its the truth. I lived it for over 7 yrs now. The sooner you get help the sooner you will start your road to recovery and a normal, life where darkness doesnt reign your world.

I get my therapy at really low cost $20/session at a womens help center where they have proffesionals who offer help to people of low income. There has to be some place like that where you live, just do your research online and do it asap.

Best of luck to you.

[methangelnomore]

where can i find your earlier post on wellbutrin?

[LeftCoastChick]

There are a ton of posts about wellbutrin.

This is a fabulous website and if you keep going down the page it has links to different information as well :)

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm