depression - Page 2

AGDPrincess70 · #16 03-25-2003, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiley21
all except #1 describes me. but the thing is i am very obsessive about the control that i have over my life. i know i have to get up everyday. there are certain times that i have to wake up by or my whole day is shot. i leave an hour early for work even though i am fifteen minutes away. i have a fear of being late. everything has to be right. i cannot fail at things that i do at work. it contributes to my bad mood. i have to pass my classes in school or i will never forgive myself. cause i already messed up a lot in that area. i just have to stay in control even when i have no control. i have to make things happen. so i guess my mood does control my life. its the one thing that i have given up on. i just let it take over. on the outside, i try to stay on top, but inside i know that i am a failure.

Holy crap I thought I was the only person who felt this way. I feel EXACTLY the same way as you described. If I do everything right except for one little thing, like forgetting to do the dishes or something, I feel like a useless failure. Well, you're not alone. If you ever want to vent, PM me

alphaiota · #17 03-26-2003, 12:13 AM

you definately need to get help. it's not healthy to be that obsessive about your life. sounds like either a bit of obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety or a bit of both. i'm not a doctor so i can't say for sure. just a guess.

although, it may be a helpful thing if you really want to regain control over your life. it will help you balance your life even more if you do get control over your emotions. once you regain control in that area, you will be able to relax in others.

please don't get me wrong, it's good to be slightly obsessive over major things such as school and work, but when it gets down to the small things in life it's not very good to be overly obsessive.

like the old saying goes, "don't make a mountain out of a mole hill."

shelley j
sigma k

FuzzieAlum · #18 03-26-2003, 12:34 PM

I understand not being thrilled at seeing a doctor - but really, a mental issue like depression is no different than having a physical issue like prostate cancer or tuberculosis. Sure, no one looks forward to having chemo, but would you skip your chemo treatment just because of that?

Because depression affects the mind rather than the lungs or prostate, though, we get this idea we can control it ourselves. That's just not the case. You can't stop depression or OCD or any other disease of any kind by sheer willpower.

(No, I am fortunate enough not to have depression myself, but someone very important in my life does, and I am grateful every day there are meds and therapies available for him - and I'm scared for him every day while they try to find the right combination of meds for him.)

smiley21 · #19 03-26-2003, 03:10 PM

i have been told numerous times that i have obsessive compulsive disorder. it just hasnt been officially diagnosed. it seriously annoys the people around me. it gets right down to the smallest details like parking evenly in the spaces. even if i have to back up and do it over several times. i go through the same routine every night before i sleep. i checked the computer to make sure its off. i check the vcr/dvd player to see if its off. i will watch the front door for a full minute to convince myself it is locked. the same goes for the stove and oven- to make sure its off. i check the refridgerator and the washer/dryer. i check my car different times throughout the day to make sure the door light is out and the car is in park. at work ( i work at starbucks) when the other worker put away milk products, i will come back later to make sure they put it in order of expiration. if its wrong, i will take everything out and rearrange it. there are other stuff, but i know i seem like a freak to some of guys right now. so i will stop.

Peaches-n-Cream · #20 03-26-2003, 04:02 PM

Smiley21,
I think that you should go to a doctor, get a check up, and see if you are suffering from a physical illness. If that is ruled out, ask for a referal to a psychologist or psychiatrist depending on what the doctor thinks. Depression and OCD are nothing to fool around with. There are medical treatments such as medicine and therapy out there that can help you. I strongly recommend that you utilize them. You will be glad that you did. I wish you the best.

smiley21 · #21 03-26-2003, 05:40 PM

i went to zoloft.com and i took some quizzes. according to it, i am suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder, post trammatic stress disorder, and depression. wow, maybe i do need to see a doctor.

alphaiota · #22 03-26-2003, 05:45 PM

i'm really happy to hear you took those quizzes. now just try to find a doctor in your area who can help. contact the university to see if they offer counseling. look up psychiatrist or psychologist in the yellow pages and see what you can find. good luck and keep us updated.

shelley j
sigma k

BSP_Nicole · #23 03-27-2003, 08:43 PM

It's good that you took the initiative and took those quizes. And it's really good that you know that you need to see someone about it. I hate to see someone go through the things I've been through and not get help about it. If you go get help, I guarantee your life will turn a 180 (not instantly, but sooner than w/o help). Please keep us updated, and know that WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

. Take care of yourself.

-Nicole

pinkyphimu · #24 03-27-2003, 08:51 PM

i am also glad that you are really considering a doctor. you will see an end to the tunnel when you get some help! take care of yourself!

smiley21 · #25 03-27-2003, 09:04 PM

i am in no hurry to see one. i know i need to take my time.
and i still dont want medication

navane · #26 03-27-2003, 11:00 PM

Hi smiley21,

I applaud you for having the courage to tell ask someone [us] for advice. It was also courageous of you to open enough to take the online quizzes.

I can understand that you would be apprehensive in seeing a doctor and not wanting to be put on medication. However, it seems like you wouldn't be mentioning your situation to us unless it was a matter of concern for you which you wanted to change somehow.

While we are very supportive folk, we are not in a position to make everything better for you. For this I would encourage you to seek a professional's advice.

Now, while I'm not a doctor, I am currently working on a counseling qualification. I can tell you there are certain styles of one-on-one and group therapy which can help alleviate things like depression and obsessive-complusive disorders. These therapies require no medications. If your doctor suggests medication, you can explain to him or her that you do not feel comfortable with medications. You can then ask if s/he can recommend an alternative such as the counseling I just mentioned.

On the other hand, someone very close to me had such a bout with depression that caused her to end up in a hospital for a week this year. When she left, the psychiatrist advised her to begin taking a prescription. This person did so and credits the medication for helping her to regain balance and clarity in her life. The doctor advised her that she would only have to take it for a year and then she could stop. (Of course, she can stop at any time she likes).

Now, this is just one example about one individual. Things might be different for you. I've mentioned this story not to scare you, but to help you understand that there may be ways around taking meds or only having to take them for a limited time. I also wanted to show you that there IS a way out. Please consider seeing a doctor or a counselor to see what your options are.

If you are really concerned about a doctor pressuring you to take medication, you might want to start with just talking to someone at your university counseling center. It should be free and they can help you sort out your concerns about your situation.

Finally, as FuzzieAlum mentioned, seeing a doctor, psychiatrist or counselor is nothing to feel ashamed about. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health.

As you can see from the responses, people DO care about you and want to see you get healthy.

Please let us know how you are doing. We're sending good thoughts your way.

.....Kelly

Peaches-n-Cream · #27 03-28-2003, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiley21
i am in no hurry to see one. i know i need to take my time.
and i still dont want medication

You are free to do whatever you want, but you came to GC asking for help and advice. Now you are in no hurry to see a doctor. I really think that you need to get a physical from your family physician or another doctor with whom you feel comfortable. Discuss your situation with him or her. Perhaps your problem is easily treatable, and yet you continue to suffer. I really don't understand why especially in this day and age when there are so many possible treatments. I wish you good luck in whatever you choose to do, but doing nothing is not helping you.