[BleedingDestruction]

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder by my psych today. It was a relief to know that I wasn't just being crazy like my siblings told me.

But, things are not all fine and dandy. I thought I'd start to get better after today, but nope. My mother found out I had been suicidal recently, and my doc prescribed me Prozac. It's not being prescribed with meds that's a problem; if it might make me feel better and not always be scared, I'd take it. But my father reacted very badly.

He threw a fit about how I should not take 'those d@mn mind altering drugs' because they were no better than weed and cocaine and all those other drugs. He told me that what I really needed to do was find out what was causing my depression and deal with that problem and I'd be fine. He kept going on about how stupid my doctor (who I like very much; he's a nice guy and he doesn't scare me like some people seem to enjoy doing) was. Then he started asking me where he went wrong and how he could fix my problems. He kept telling me how he felt like a failure.

If the Prozac upsets him that much, maybe I should just forget it altogether and just deal with it like he said. I don't want to cause anymore problems with my family...

[kiwiguy]

Hey, I'm new hear but not new to family hassles. Seems that your father missed the fact that by seeing a psychdoc you ARE trying to find the cause of your depression. And that is no easy thing to do. Many people struggle with depression and anxiety for many years before they even look for help then, like me seem to never find the answer.
Just an opinion, if your dad is so feeling like a failure, could be he needs some help with problems too.
Hope things get better for you soon, BD. Best of luck with the prozac. If you give it a try just be patient it can take a few weeks to take effect. If you decide not to go with the drug therapy try talk therapy. What the hell, try both. I'd love it if you update about what's happening here. Until then ...take care

[gma45]

I think you need to take the medication your Dr. prescribed for you. And I am sorry your Dad is putting you on a guilt trip. Depression is a disease, there is nothing your dad could have done different for it not to happen. I understand as a parent we want to fix our kids problems and kiss them away and everything will be better, but sometimes we just can not do that. Maybe your Dr. could talk to your dad so he would have a better understanding of depression and anxiety. I wish you well.

[BleedingDestruction]

Originally Posted by kiwiguy

Hope things get better for you soon, BD. Best of luck with the prozac. If you give it a try just be patient it can take a few weeks to take effect. If you decide not to go with the drug therapy try talk therapy. What the hell, try both.

I am going to try both therapy and meds until I find what helps. Thank you for the suggestions

[Gently1]

Yes, do follow your Dr's directions. Depression is an illness, and it is something you get through with treatments and time, it can have a what "looks" like a single cause, but there are many factors.
Everyone is different and an objective person or team Pdoc and T, can be best guide on your journey.

In my depression journey therapy was started only after I had enough improvement with medication to cope with therapy.

gma45 has a great explaination about parents. I am 30 years away from leaving home and I also got a strong reaction from my Dad.
I also got the 'get over it speech' and over time was able to come to an understanding.

Good for you for seeking treatment. I just saw your last post.

[The Wobbitt]

I agree that you should take the medication. Your father is probably just worried about his child, and he is probably in denial that his child is depressed. My parents were like that for a long time when I talked about feeling down and depressed. It wasn't until I was diagnosed that they took it seriously. I'm sure your dad will get over this eventually.

[DianaCW91]

I have to stress what everyone else has said - take your meds and follow your doctor's advice

Any illness is hard for someone who is not going through it. Your dad can never fully understand. I had a hard time talking about my depression as, well, it depressed me. So I arranged for my dad to come with me to my doctor and he could ask questions and my doctor would explain. I asked my doctor if it was ok and he was more than happy. I did mention to my doctor not to get into my specifics but to keep the answers more general (what is typical). But this was more due to my own personal family relations and may not apply to you.

I wish you the best