posted
(I've come up with some additional questions. Scroll down the thread to find them.)
I think I'm suffering from depression, but I'm not sure. Is it possible to distinguish between depression and a case of the blues without a proffesional diagnosis?
I'm asking you, my Hatrack family for help because I don't have the slightest clue about where to go for help.
How do I know if I should seek proffesional help? How do I find a qualified proffessional? I don't want to just pick a name out of the yellow pages.
I need to know where to find information about deppressiona and how to go about finding help.
One problem I have is that I don't have medical insurance. Are there resources for people who need help, bu don't have a lot of money to pay for it?
posted
((Derrell)) I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling down.
I am no expert on depression, but it does run in my family and I suffer from periodic depression myself. For me, I have to really evaluate my thoughts and actions to figure out whether I'm just "down" or am in one of my periods of depression: Am I getting enough sleep? Am I getting good quality sleep? Do I feel unusually tired or listless? Are my interactions with my friends and family members normal (meaning, am I withdrawing from them, or no)? Are my thoughts rational? Am I beating myself up (mentally)? Am I preoccupied with hurting myself? Can I enjoy the things that I normally enjoy? And I binging or avoiding eating? Do I find myself crying a lot or for no reason? - Those are some of the kinds of things that I have to ask myself to figure out what's going on. In my particular case, these periods of time are fairly short-lived (usually 1-2 weeks), which is part of why I ignored them for more than 10 years - one of the litmus tests for depression is if symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, which mine never did. But, I have come to realize that these times, while not being major depression, are depression. I talked with my doctor (my primary care physician) last fall who suggested that we treat my biggest symptoms during these times - namely not getting enough or good quality sleep and controlling my eating - so I have sleeping medication (actually a low-dose of an anti-depression/anti-anxiety drug) to take when I notice that I am experiencing one of my periods of depression. I am lucky in that I can usually recognize what is happening after the first couple days, so I can sort of separate myself into 2 parts - the rational part of me that knows that what I'm thinking and feeling is not reality, and the feeling part that tells me I'm worthless.
I'm not sure what resources are available to you, since I'm fairly new at all of this myself. I do know that your bishop may be able to refer you to an LDS counselor. While I haven't done this myself, I have family members who have.
Feel free to email me if there's anything I can do to help or you just feel like talking.
posted
Thanks for the reply ludosti. It helps to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm not sure if it's a serious case of the blues or actual depression.
Starting this thread is the most difficult thing I've ever done.
quote:One problem I have is that I don't have medical insurance. Are there resources for people who need help, bu don't have a lot of money to pay for it?
Yes. There are therapists who have sliding scale fees. Check with your village. I go to my village's family services, and currently pay $5 a session.
The two best therapists I've had was the one I saw for free in college, and my previous one at Family Services. My current therapist is quite good, but I don't have the connection with her that I did with Debbie.
Depression can take many forms. For me, sometimes there is a lot of crying: sadness, feeling worthless, feeling I can do nothing right. Other times, I am apathetic. I don't care about anything, don't feel like doing anything, and find it a struggle to just get out of bed. I'll feel blank, like I can't think. I'm in this stage now. Other times I'll be tense and panicky. There have also been times when I've been angry, and wanting to hit something.
I'd say that if you feel like you might need professional help, then go.
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quote:Starting this thread is the most difficult thing I've ever done.
But you did. Hold on to that. I know that when I am depressed, I often feel like I am incapable of doing anything. I feel weak and childish. Knowing when you need help and asking for it is a sign of strength. You ARE strong, and you can beat this thing.
posted
xnera, thanks for the support. Now all I have to do is figure out how to find a qualified mental health proffessional who has sliding scale fees. Like I said in my first post, i don't want to just randomly pick a name out of the yellow pages.
quote:Starting this thread is the most difficult thing I've ever done.
I understand completely. I think talking to my doctor was the most difficult step I've taken so far. I'm an extremely independent and self-sufficient person, so for me to admit that there is some aspect of myself that is beyond my control was almost impossible. But, it has been very liberating for me - I've been able to have meaningful discussions about depression with my mother and with my other friends who also struggle with depression and it is very helpful for me to understand that I'm not the only person with this problem and it isn't that I'm doing something wrong.
I really would recommend that you ask your bishop about the counselors availble to members of the church who are in need of them. I know that they would have a sliding scale fee.
posted
Xnera, thanks for the link. I've completed a few of those screening questionnaires. That's what's got me worried. I realize that the questionnaires are no substitute for a clinical diagnosis, but all of them that I've completed say that I should seek help.
ludosti, the prospect of admitting to someone else that I might have a mental illness was thoroughly terrifying.
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posted
In case it may help, I also want to share what I've found during 25 years of living with this. I've learned that by far the most important factors in how I feel and how well I'm able to function are physical. The mental and emotional things that are going on in my life, though they may seem to be the cause of my sadness, or depression, or anguish, or misery are really secondary to the underlying physical substrate. In other words, if I maintain myself in the right state, then if sad or stressful things happen I can deal with them. If I don't then I will be much more volatile, and anything that happens can send me into sheets of nuclear flame.
So these are the most important rules in my life now. I call them the four pillars of mental health.
I. Sleep well and regularly.
II. Eat right.
III. Exercise daily.
IV. Sunlight in the optic nerve.
These four things do more to maintain my sanity than anything else. Well, there actually is a zeroth pillar, prayer. Of that I will not speak.
Good luck.
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posted
Even if you dont have enough of these to be clasified as depressed there is still lots of help that you can get. --- Nine classic symptoms of depression
The following are the nine classic symptoms that a doctor looks for when considering a diagnosis of depression. A major depressive episode is present if five or more of the following nine symptoms are present during the same two-week period. At least one of the five symptoms must be either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
1. Depressed mood for most of the day
2. Disturbed appetite or change in weight
3.Disturbed sleep
4. Psychomotor retardation or agitation
5. Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities; inability to enjoy usual hobbies or activities
6.Fatigue or loss of energy
7.Feelings of worthlessness; excessive and/or inappropriate guilt
8. Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
9. Morbid or suicidal thoughts or actions ----- more info...
Mood alterations A change in mood is the red flag that alerts a doctor to consider a diagnosis of depression. Depressed individuals typically feel sadness or despair. They find they've lost their ability to feel pleasure, and they're no longer interested in things they normally enjoy. Some depressed patients may be more irritable or tense than sad.
Emotional changes If you're depressed, you may notice emotional changes, including inappropriate feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Many depressed people experience a marked lack of confidence and feelings of ineptitude. Some people will avoid situations that require any sort of responsibility for fear of failure.
Changes in the way your body functions Depression affects the body as well as the emotions. Depressed individuals may notice changes in the way their body functions. Changes in appetite are common. Typically, appetite decreases. However, depression also may be expressed by excessive appetite and weight gain. Sleeping patterns may change as well. When people suffer from depression, they may have difficulty falling asleep, they may wake up in the middle of the night, or they may wake up in the early morning hours without being able to return to sleep. People who wake up in the early hours (terminal insomnia) tend to have the most severe depression. Occasionally, depressed individuals complain of chronic fatigue and report excessive sleeping rather than insomnia.
Loss of energy and sex drive Loss of energy and tiring too easily are also common symptoms of depression. Sex drive may be decreased markedly in depressed people and may lead to impotence and the inability to have an orgasm (anorgasmia).
Difficulty concentrating Many people who suffer from depression have difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly. Depressed individuals may feel that they are unable to study or that their efficiency at work is decreased. In severe cases, depressed individuals are not even able to watch television.
Masked depression It is possible for people to suffer from major depression without their friends and loved ones realizing it. Their depression may be masked because they don't talk about their low mood. Instead, they may complain of various physical problems (e.g., indigestion, heartburn, muscle or joint pains, and chronic headaches). Further questioning may reveal that depression is responsible for their symptoms.
Psychotic Symptoms In very severe cases of depression, patients may develop psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. Often, the psychotic symptoms have depressive themes, such as an unshakable belief that one is totally worthless. Some severely depressed patients hear a voice telling them to kill themselves.
---- Again I hope you can find affordible help. I was able to, and although it dosent fix everything, it can really be benificial.
posted
I don't know anything about depression, sorry. But I can still ((((((((((Derrell)))))))))) Hold on, we're with you.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Contact your county mental health department, and they should have a list of places that take no-insurance people on a sliding scale.
Locally here, we have a university that trains marriage/family therapists and psychologists. So in the University, they offer very low cost consultation (like $15 per visit) to give the graduate students real experience while they complete their graduate work. And they are quiet good. All grad student consultations are over-seen by a professional.
You'll find Hatrack pretty knowledgable about Depression. Many of us have experienced it in one form or another. Take care of yourself, get help if you need it, and hang in there. I think some depression is natural in life. It's just a matter of learning how to ride the wave.
(((Jenny))) (((tt&t))) (((Anna))) (((Farmgirl))) I'm going to talk to my bishop on Sunday and have him put me in touch with LDS Social Services. I'm sure they can help me.
Thanks for all the replies and the hugs.
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posted
I just went for a walk and it recharged my batteries. Right now, I feel pretty good.
I realize that the road to recovery is going to be a long one, but I've started down the road and I feel good about it.
I'm taking ak's suggestions. Sunlight is a beautiful thing. While I was out walking, I took the time to notice the birds singing and the flowers in bloom.
So far it's a good day for me.
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posted
skillery, I've considered gadget aquisition therapy, but I don't know if my budget can handle it.
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posted
Probably just a get to know you, why you're there. You can't just walk in and obviously they'll know whats troubling you.
They'll ask you questions like:
"So, tell me about your desires?" "How do you feel about your mother?" "Does this look like a pair of breasts, or a clown?"
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posted
No, not unless a multiple choice assessment would make you break out in hives. Some folks I know really hated them. Of course, they were institutionalized already, so the fact that assessments were beginning to grate on them isn't surprising.
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posted
Pooka, I wasn't sure what she meant when she said instruments of torture. I was picturing a cross between the Spanish inquisition and the dentist's office. I have a vivid imagination.
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posted
They'll probably torture you with words like 'aura' and 'animal guide' and chakra. Beware the chakra!
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posted
Hmmm... my first meetings are always uncomfortable. I always feel nervous and I don't like talking about my "problems" with people that I don't know.
They usually ask me a bunch of questions such as "How are you feeling today?" "How have you been feeling?" And depending on those answers, frequently questions along the lines of "Are you eating? Are you eating healthy?", "How are you sleeping?" "Do you or have you felt the urge to hurt yourself?" (usually more delicatley then that )
At this time, I've seen so many that the exact questions are kind of blured in my head. But the basic idea is to see how you are doing. They are trying to see if you need immediate intervention (hospitalization), or if you need counselling, medication, etc. (In my case I have a strong history of depression- they usually take my word at face value at this point that I'm not doing so well. I don't remember what they did to diagnose me).
I find it "scary" because talking about myself to somebody I don't know is uncomfortable.
But relax, it's not supposed to be stressful. And they're trained well (or at least the ones I've met with). They know when I get uncomfortable and they do whatever they can to make me feel at ease. They can tell when certain topics for me are a no go... and they wait until I am ready to talk about them.
I'm so happy you're taking steps to help yourself ((((hugs))))
posted
(((Jaiden))) Thanks for the insight. I'm not big on expressing my feelings, but I'll try if it will help.
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Well, in about 48 hours I'll be talking to my bishop about my problem. I'm really nervous about it and could use some encouragement. Hugs wouldn't hurt either.
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posted
I just went through this in the last year, and it seems they only have counselors, so if you think your problem is biochemical they will probably give you a different referral. But if you are willing to try talking it out first, it should be good.
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posted
Thanks pooka. The problem is that I don't know if it's a biochemical thing. I'm hoping the bishop can help me find an LDS therapist, psychologist, or Psychiatrist.
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posted
Yes, he can. He'll give you some paperwork, and notify the local LDS Social Services. You'll need to call them for an appointment, and they'll have your name. The first person you meet with may not be the person you end up talking to, depending on whether they recommend a psychiatrist.
The counselors cannot perscribe medication, but medication should never be the first resort anyway.
Good luck. It's not scary.
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posted
(((Derrell))) I really hope that things go well for you! I would personally love to know what he has to say and what direction he points you in (since I've not yet been brave enough to talk to my bishop about seeing an LDS counsellor, although I know I should ).
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I suffer from depression occasionally too. Sucks majorly. You can make it! ((Derrell)) There is happiness beyond. Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I suffer from clinical depression - meaning its hormonal and can be treated by balancing these.
I know what you mean about feeling nervous about approaching someone about this. I only really did anything about it when I had to.
The first time I got Counselling was on my mission when I realised that I couldn't function properly unless I resolved a number of issues including an abusive relationship. I was referred to an LDS Social Services Counsellor and he was great. I got these sessions free because I was a serving missionary. Your bishop might be able to get you help with any costs as this is a church organisation. During those sessions we discussed relationships, feelings about myself and others, triggers and how to recognise and overcome them.
The second time was a couple of years ago when problems/ stresses at work coupled with the death of a really close friend led to my waking up one morning and not being able to face anyone or make myself leave the house. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. My doctor referred me to see a psychiatrist which was when I was diagnosed. After several sessions he concluded that I had been suffering with this since I was pre teen and it took until I was in my 30's to get it diagnosed. My doctor had already put me on anti-depressants and we had to up the dose several times before I found the right level. I know a lot of people don't like taking drugs and it was scary but they've really helped me. I'm still on them as its a process of getting my body used to the right hormone level it should be at. At the time it felt like I would never feel happy again and it did take several months but one day whilst out walking the dogs I suddenly realised my whole outlook was different, I wanted to go back to work and get on with my life.
Anyway, the first session with the Psychiatrist we just talked about my situation, what I do, family, background, major influences i.e. church, what I enjoyed doing, feelings etc. Really a counsellor just needs to get to know you so they can identify the right treatment i.e type of counselling, medication if necessary etc.
Treatment really is just identifying any trigger points so you can recognise when a cycle of depression is starting and identifying coping/ overcoming mechanisms which work for you.
I've recently decided to go back to see a Counsellor for Cognative Therapy. This was because I recognised that my current feelings of depression weren't lifting and some of the old symptoms (i.e. broken sleeping patterns including sleeping through the day, isolating myself, irritability, vast mood swings etc.) were coming back. I've yet to start - I see her for the first session next week - but I've been told it should be useful for someone like me (i.e. intelligent, able to think through problems, able to express my emotions and talk about my feelings).
One thing I'm really grateful for is my beliefs and especially my church membership. My knowledge that God loves me and that I am his daughter are why I've never considered harming myself. I'm not saying there haven't been times I may have wished I wasn't around to be feeling this way and at times I've questioned why I have to go through this and felt a long way away from Heavenly Father but I've always known he was there. That knowledge has been my anchor and I pity others who don't have it and can understand why for some it must be too much to bear alone. I'm so lucky to have been taught the Gospel and have a testimony.
I agree with what ak recommended and I always find that taking my dogs for a long walk in the open air and surrounding myself with beauty helps me to feel calmer. This really helped when I had my breakdown - walking the dogs was the only time I went out alone, otherwise I had to have my Mum, Dad or a really close friend with me.
Also try not to isolate yourself, spend time with people who love you, family, friends, Heavenly Father and if it gets really desperate there's always Hatrack (by desperate I mean everyone else is busy - just from the short time I've been here I've seen how much you're liked by others here).
You're doing the right thing speaking to your bishop even though it feels really hard. Confront this now and hopefully you'll be able to overcome the feelings and your life will improve.
posted
(((cochick))) I think I've had this problem for a long time. I can identify with much of your story. The difference is that I've never gotten help for the problem.Thanks for your input.
It's interesting that I'll be talking to my bishop about this on Easter Sunday, a day that's all about new beginnings.
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posted
Well, I did it. I talked to my bishop and asked him to contact LDS Social Services. He will talk to them, , then they will call me to set up an appointment. It should be set up by Thursday at the latest.
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