risk management chair
 

First as everyone has said please take your medications as prescribed. Antidepressants are a special type of med that need to be taken as prescribed and gradually reduced when going off of them. (learned this from my nephew who suffers from severe anxiety and depression).

Secondly, when you talk to the Chapter President about your situation you might ask if the risk management chair can set up a talk about depression for the chapter. I think you will be suprised at how many women may be suffering the same as you but have never been diagnosed as depressed. The psych I saw told me that depression is actually a very common disease that most people do not know they are suffering from, one that is easily treatable. If all else fails, by having a talk schedule about depression you are helping the chapter to better understand what your going through without having to answer a ton of questions.

good luck and keep us informed

another question
 

I just want to think everyone for helping me through this. I've been doing better!:) I'm counting the days till I get back to school, and get close enough to a sister to tell her about my situation. But there is another question that I need answered.

During one of my nights before school let out, and after I had recived my bid, I was plotting a suicide, not sure if I would be able to carry it out. It was so awful, and would hurt mainly my sisters so much. I guess I should say what my plan was. I planned to go into our suite (at my school, sororities have suites, not houses), and do something morbid, and have a sister walk in and find me dress in either white or black, and I'd be wearing my pledge pin. That's about the simpliest way to put it. Should I tell this to the sister(s) that I confide in, that I thought of something like this, or sould I keep this to myself so that they don't worry about coming into the suite? I really don't want to hurt them....I love them too much already. And it makes me sick to think that I wanted to do this.:(

I would keep that story to myself if I were you. I agree that you should confide in your chapter president about your illness and continue taking your medication. I suggest that you find a good therapist to help you find more productive ways to cope. Good luck and good mental health. :)

You should definately not tell your sisters about your "plan." It would terrifying and horrible for them and would put a terrible strain on your whole house. That it is information which should only be shared with your doctor.
I think it is fine to want to share the fact that you have depression with a few close sisters. They may be able to speak to the chapter for you if you're having a hard time or serve as somewhat of an early warning system if you begin to withdraw and show signs of a deep depression. However, you have to recognize that sisters are not a replacement for a doctor or medication. What you have is a serious medical problem not a breakup with a boyfriend. You can not expect to go to a sister with your issue each time you have a problem or feel depressed. Your sisters aren't equipped to handle that. It can put a real strain on that sister (she's still dealing with all the stresses of college too) and on your whole house too. Concentrate on finding a good doctor who will help you to find medications that you can tolerate and who will help you recognize that you have a lifelong disease which needs to be treated. People who have heart disease don't stop taking their heart medicine. What you have is just as serious and will never be cured. However, what you have can be managed with medication and a good doctor.

Do not tell your sisters about that plan, it will be too much.

About the depression part, in my personal opinion,
it will be best to only tell a few sisters. Those few sisters who you can trust and has shared some secrets of their own. This is a fragile issue, and may not be the best idea to share it with the whole chapter, yet.

And, about the meds. Is there a reason why you are skipping them? If there is a reason (i.e. side effects) talk to your doctor and maybe he can adjust the dose or switch meds. If there is no reason, take them! Withdrawals from anti-depresants are no walk in the park and can make you feel even worse, mentally and physically. :eek: