How do you know when your suffering from depression?

[jj2742]

How do you know when your actually suffering from depression?  The reason why I ask because ever since I stopped consuming narcotics/ hydrocodone/vikadins muscle relaxers etc my mood changed, matters got even worse when I went through a horrible experience with a guy that I was practically living with and other family issues now I don't feel the same it's been 3 months since I stopped taking pills..and I haven't been the same ever since. Sometimes I can hardly sleep, I feel my anxiety slowly increasing to where I'm losing control of not being able to control it I drink to be happy but even then sometimes it doesn't work my self esteem went to the floor some days are good some days I question why am I even on earth I use to be very social now it's like I don't want to talk to anyone I could be locked up in my room for days.

[jj2742]

Hello there sorry I took so long to come back on here I want to thank you so much for giving me that information it helped a lot I'm not currently in school I just work but I have decided to make me an appt to go see a doctor on my day off I'm trying to involve myself in new things although it's sort of hard for me because I work all the time. It's something I will definitely keep in mind and I think a tranquilizer will better suit me since my anxiety is starting to get bad I can still control it but there are some days I can't and that's when my mind is over thinking everyday is a constant battle for me to not go back into doing pills I crave it everyday it's my biggest weakness yet my biggest regret.

[ggreg]

Hi JJ again!  One thing I wanted to mention is COULD BE instead of an antidepressant, the psych people may want to try a mild tranquilizer, which combats anxiety, fear, nervousness.  Depression is treated with an antidepressant like Zoloft, a small amount to start, and it combats morbid dread, unwillingness to live life, general dark uneasiness.  This is just general information of my own, to help you figure out what drug, if any, might be best.  And I think whatever medicine you take should be short-term, until the withdrawals stop from your high-powered drug use.  If you are still in school and/or do not have a car, you could talk to the school guidance counselor or school psychologist, and they may be able to get you the proper medicines from a psychiatrist that they are connected with.  And my advice about seeing someone at Dept of Social Serv, you could take a bus to their location, which I talked about those people in my last post.
All the best, GG

[ggreg]

JJ, there is a place you can go secretly.  The Department of Social Services, there's one in just about every town, has a Psychiatric Unit, it doesn't cost anything and your visits are private.  You might need an antidepressant for a short while, a small amount, which the psychiatrist would give you; and a psychologist can talk with you whenever you can arrange to go by there, they can give you tips to handle what's happening to you and in general give you moral support.  I take 50mg of Zoloft in the morning and 50mg at night, and I feel very good.  It takes a couple weeks for it to work, and it takes a couple weeks to come down off it.  Both the beginning and the reduction has to be done slowly.  But you don't necessarily need to take medicine if you don't want to.  The psychologist talking with you may do the trick, perhaps three weeks, depending on how many times you go each week.

In the meantime, you should redirect your sadness into new things, distract yourself by learning something new, like how to play a guitar, or how to draw or paint, and volunteering somewhere like a hospital or at a food bank for poor people is a good idea.  You could also pick out a martial arts place and begin a program with them, which is very good for self-confidence.  I liked ju-jitsu a lot.  Anyway, if you could just get into a couple things, this will take your mind off what's going on with the withdrawals, even tho it's been three months, it still takes longer for some stuff.

Don't be scared.  Your family does not need to know about this.  But if you don't have a car and you're still in school, you could just get involved with new school activities, say, track where you can run or softball after school, you know.  Also, you can sign up for an art class, perhaps, or join the band... if you don't know how to play an instrument, talk to the band director about how you can go about being in the band and at the same time getting lessons from him on playing an instrument of your choice, like the horn or a reed instrument.  You can also volunteer in the library, putting up books.

You know, even tho things are rough at the moment, they will get better if you try some of these tips, and also I am VERY proud of you for changing your medications... you were taking too much stuff, for sure.  And to heck with that boyfriend... you all simply were not a good match, that's all.  GG
  

[jj2742]

Hi, thank you for that information and I don't go seek medical help because my family is very judgmental and they will think I'm crazy I can't even talk to them about how I'm feeling or my problems because they'll laugh and think I'm over reacting. I know what needs to be done but I guess I'm just to scared to do it.

[4Maddie44]

Your body is in withdrawal from drugs, and this can take quite a time.  Your body is now adjusting to being without all the things you were putting into it.  Withdrawals can be really nasty, but once your body has adjusted, you should feel a lot better.

If you think you have depression then you should see a doctor.  We cannot diagnose you here as no doctors on this forum.  

Drinking will not help even though it makes you feel better for a time, but it is only numbing feelings.  

You really need to consult a doctor about not wanting to be here and locking yourself away, which are definitely signs of a depressive illness, but only a doctor will be able to tell you.  Do you think you could get out of that locked room and seek help?