[estranged]

my psycholigist told me I should have a treatment and that he will make an arrangement with a psychiatrist who'll give me medicine but I haven't been diagnosed and now I'm confused...also when I asked him if he meant antidepressants he said not necessarilly..what other kind of medicine could it be?

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Estranged!

I regret I have no authoritative answers for you. I speculate the psychiatrist will make a formal diagnosis after meeting with you. The psychiatrist may want to rule out other possible medical conditions causing your symptoms. For example, thyroid problems can underlie depression, and in that case they may want to prescribe thyroid medication. Most of the time, however, you'll come away from the psychiatrist with a prescription for some sort of antidepressant.

Controversy exists over prescribing antidepressants for young people. Your psychiatrist may resort to drugs only after considering therapy.

Please keep posting.

[maryevelynn]

I was never officially diagnosed but I'm starting to think it would have been a good idea. My GP referred me to a therapist and perscribed the meds herself.

[estranged]

i went there, she told me i'm depressed and that she thinks i should get antidepressants but i'll have to go there again on Saturday so that she can talk to me again and this time with my parents too..does this count as a diagnosis? i'm still confused..

[alwaysrejoice]

I know you are concerned. a lot of mood disorders are treated the same way. there are no "tests" that can say exactly what is wrong besides problems like the thyroid that was mentioned earlier. I have been diagnosed with different things from different doctors. what is most important is that you get the help you need.

[venusss]

Have you been working on your issues in therapy? If not, I would first try this route. Chemical treatment is a serious thing, and as much as it works for some, it should not be the first option.

[estranged]

yes and i've talked with different therapists too...i went to the psychiatrist today again and she gave me xanax (only for 2 weeks) and zoloft...she said that she doesn't really give medicine to her patiens but my case is "an emergency"..she said though that medicine is not the most important and that i'll take them for about 6 months and then we'll see..

[dodo777]

I took saroxat for 10 years then i became ill with my stomache and had to stop taking them now my depression is so bad nobody wants to be around me and it really hurts my son will not even sit in the room with me i dont know what to do i feel on the edge i got one freind but he works and i see him on a sunday my lifes turned to crap and i dont know what to do i am waiting to see a phyciatrist but it takes so long.

[gma45]

Medication does help along with talking with therapist, meditation, etc...I hope you get to feeling better soon.

[dodo777]

I have been taking pills all my life for depression but the most thing that has helped me is meditation I have been meditating now for a while a couple of months and I have found a peace that only taking a diazapam 10mg gave me.I was diagnosed with pdsd and a personality disorder.I am 51 and made a right mess of my life family and freinds have stoped talking to me not all but most.My kids dont come here only my son and thats when he wants.I love him and he loves me but we are alike and very quick temperd.I think depression runs in the family as my dad and his father sufferd the same things.My up bringin was very violent and I was sexualy abused all this I expect plays a part on how I see the world.Now with all these cut backs and money getting tight as food and utility bills go up and fuel I just hope it doesnt affect me to much.I dont want to worry about money .I do like having some money put away just for peace mind.Anyway I hope who ever reads this will take some advice and before taking pills try meditating because I had an awful time coming off saroxat the withdrawls itself was a hard slog and I never want to go through that again.So please try anything before taking pills