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Hey all. I have been diagnosed with depression just a couple of weeks ago. I have felt down for probably about the last 2 years of my life. I think what brought me to go see a counselor was my friend was suffereing from BP(but he didn't know it) so i think that might have taken me down even farther. Anyways, I really don't know how to deal with this; most days I feel good but then something happens and I feel like crap for the rest of the day ( I don't want to be around anyone, i could just sleep all night, but then wake up at 2 in the morning and not go back to sleep) I have been missing classes lately and its starting to show in my classes, im proud of myself though i have gone to all of my classes the past 4 days (Even though i had to drag myself!!) Again I don't know what to do when I feel down, I try to hang out with my friends but it doesn't seem right it seems like everyone else has something better to do than just talk. My suitemate wants me to go get on meds; she has offered some of her prozac to me and i did take some but i have stopped taking that. Is that how come i am still feeling down. I try not to show my lowness because i don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. Well now i think i am just rambling so much stuff is going through my mind i have so much school work so many test and all that stuff!!!

Hi
you need to go to your doctor and get your own meds, that way if they are not working or you have side effects can take care of it.

~D~

collegefriend, you said that you were diagnosed with depression...who did the diagnosis? Are you seeing a therapist?

You should definitely not take someone else's meds...it is important to have a doctor monitor you when you are taking meds, because different meds work for different people. If you are not seeing a therapist, I would recommend you start there...you should have access to counselling through your school. If the therapist thinks you need meds, then he/she will refer you to a psychiatrist...but you may find that the therapy alone makes a big difference.

Welcome to the forums, and good luck.

mj

I want to reinforce MJ's thought that you should NEVER take someone else's meds. This goes for ANY prescription medicine. A doctor will know your background and will know of any potential harmful effects before deciding what to subscribe for you.

In addition antidepressants react very differently for different people, do like MJ said it is important to be monitored and to stay in touch with the doctor until they can find the right medication for you. Unlike many other prescription or over the counter meds, antidepressants do NOT work "instantly". It can take several weeks on a steady dose to see if it helps you and then to decide the proper dosage for you or whether to try something else. Taking a few of someone else's prozac (or any other) couldn't possibly have any positive benefit and could only cause trouble.

I think you should be in contact with whoever diagnosed you and follow through with them, or find someone else to follow through with if you prefer. There is treatment for this. Not everyone needs meds, but if the root of your depression is chemically based then meds can help. In either case, therapy is important to teach you the coping skills and help you with your depression. antidepressant medication does not "cheer you up" its purpose is to rebalance the chemicals in your brain so that therapy can be effective.

The symptoms you describe, the desire not to be around anyone, sleeping problems, difficulty going to classes, these are all classic symptoms of depression, so don't worry about them except in the context of getting help for your depression. The depression will tend to make you see the most negative aspects of everything, so don't give in to that thinking. Forcing yourself to classes is probably a good thing, you don't want to stay at home and "give in" to the depression. Of course it is not a long term solution. Part of therapy will be to help you cope with the desire to stay home and make it easier for you to get out and be around people.

I think i recommended my depression paper in another thread but here is the link again http://www.idexter.com

Please make sure you continue or find help with someone/ a group --- in the field who has been educated and trained. Also, I found a crisis number to call when you can't pull yourself up and still can't share with people who are around you -- you stay anonimous (spelling??) but they talk with you and even just stay on the line so you don't feel so disconnected. In my case I don't have any one around anymore. MORE IMPORTANTLY, you have found this website where people not only understand what you are going through, they don't feel sorry for you THEY CARE and will provide you with support and tenderness -there is no greater gift!. Please, keep in mind that depression will make it a bit harder to concentrate, understand and keep up the pace as you may be use to. You may find yourself punishing yourself emotionally and getting angry that you just want to sleep. Read the info Dex sent and reread the notes people send you when you just run out of steam - even if you only get through one or two lines you will be getting a feeling of connection which is so tough when you are depressed but staying connected helps you get thru. You are not alone and we are out there in numbers -- you took the most difficult step - you are addressing these pooky feelings. Keep using this website - people get back to you. I am thankful I found it!!!

You aren't feeling down from the prozac, you would need to be on them for about 3 weeks to notice any mood improvment anyway. You shouldn't take anyone else's meds. SSRI's are a class of meds that need to be taken over a period of time and often titrated for any results, if they are for you anyway, not all meds work for everyone, you need a pdoc to be the best judge of what you should do.
It isn't un natural to feel affected by someone close to you when they aren't well or depressed, but if this low feeling is interferring with your daily personal schedule, functioning, or you just do not feel like yourself, it may be a good idea to take it up with a mental health care professional, maybe even start with a counselor.
Don't let this go too much longer, there is help out there, life is too short to feel crappy. . . enjoy it.
I wish you luck with this, and I feel confident you'll get along fine, just do not "share" meds with others, see a professional if you are to be put on meds.
Please take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON