<p>The reason I push for the animal volunteering is simple. Animals DO NOT judge - you love them, they love you. It's a simple comfort I think this person needs now. It won't replace therapy, but it's a positive start.</p>
<p>I agree with post #36. Also animal shelters tend to bond with the volunteers. No kill animal shelters need all the help that they can get, and the work/effort is very rewarding.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Your problems aren't going to magically vanish. You have to take responsibility for feeling better, and you need to do that by seeking the help you need...
...You are fortunate: You're still very young, and if you get help, you can have decades of having a life without depession, decades that I missed out on because of my reluctance to take medication...I'm not saying that medication definitely is what you need. I am saying, though, you need to go to medical and psychological professionals to get the help you obviously need...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NSM, Thank you for sharing your own experience. It mirrors mine in many ways. I try not to look backwards but I do wish I'd sought and accepted help so much sooner. </p>
<p>I've always thought it unfair in a fundamental way that depression takes away ones ability to believe in change, when it is at that precise moment that the belief in change is most needed. </p>
<p>I also think that volunteering at a no kill shelter could be helpful. At my worst, my dogs have proved an invaluable source of comfort. Plus, a lot of us "animal people" are perhaps a little rough around the edges when it comes to human socialization. In hanging out together, we always have something to talk about and that can be great.</p>
<p>Even though you were on anti-depressants before, that doesn't mean they are no longer an option. If often takes a lot of trial and error to find the one that's right for you. I have been on 3 different ones. There is one of them (Cymbalta) that if I had used that first, I would have assumed antidepressants don't work. I'm sure it works for some people, but not for me. The other two both work pretty well, though each have different side effects. To me, side effects are WELL worth the benefit of the antidepressants. Before I took them, I didn't know why I was taking up space on the planet.</p>
<p>I know it is repeating what others here have said, but the advantage of a student faith/religious group is that part of their beliefs are to love others....even the unlovable. They don't just sit and listen to sermons all the time; they have social events and even weekend trips sometimes. Lots of times there are more girls than guys in these groups. Look on your school's website for student organizations, then look for faith-based ones (they may be listed as "religious organizations"). Email the leader and ask what activities the group has. It doesn't sound like your faith in atheism is doing any more for you than your mother's religion did, so you may as well give it a try.</p>
<p>"There is one of them (Cymbalta) that if I had used that first, I would have assumed antidepressants don't work. "</p>
<p>Just to show how medications can react differently to different people, Cymbalta is what changed my life. Most people have to try a couple of medications before finding the right one and the right doseage. Doing so can take several months, but it is worth it to be able to finally experience life in a normal way.</p>
<p>That's funny, Northstarmom! You are right, though. Lexapro was wonderful for me, but I have a friend who felt nothing with Lexapro.</p>
<p>So, OP, it might be worth another shot.</p>
<p>Have you considered a good vacation? That might fire things up. You could ask for a leave of absence, possibly work a little bit to get some extra scratch, hop on a plane, and go somewhere nice! "Trip therapy" might sound a little wierd, but it can do a lot of good, and it doesn't involve any dangerous medication or schedule I narcotics!</p>
<p>Yopua</p>
<p>Thank you for that suggestion.</p>
<p>Savs</p>
<p>That is a good idea. I just didnt want to intrude when there were even numbers of people playing pool. I dont know why anyone could find me intimidating as people who know me describe me as a nice guy, and I usually dress in bright color.
I dont find any group too intimidating unless they are all of the same race.</p>
<p>Maysixxmom </p>
<p>That is a very good idea, I will certainly check the animal shelter out.</p>
<p>Miktau</p>
<p>I might have misread you, but I dont want any pity. It the last thing I need on this forums. Im just here trying to improve myself even if it a small step one by one.</p>
<p>Northstarmom</p>
<p>Not to sound pessimistic but once college is over, I could care less about being depressed or what not. I miss high school, and if I dont do anything soon, I will miss college as well. I dont think it can get much worst than those two things.</p>
<p>Timely</p>
<p>The reason I dont take anti-depressant anymore is that it only cover the pain and not cure it. Taking anti-depressant does work, and the side effect is not that big a deal, but it like Lysol it only cover up the smell instead of curing it. Im a relatively emotionally strong person, who doesnt need to drink like many people to relief the pain. I usually stick through it, and I feel that anti-depressant is like a drink. </p>
<p>Minamora</p>
<p>Yes I have considered vacation before, but whom do I go with? I hate being alone much less going someplace far alone.</p>
<p>Progress:</p>
<p>So tomorrow I will be meeting with my Therapist for the first time, as I decided to go on a limb even if it cost money. I just want to let all the parents know that I do take your advice, so if anyone accuse me otherwise, I just want to say that it not true. I have also listen to a couple parents advice about animal shelter, and there seem to be one in my area. I love animals, and the reason why I have been stuttering is that it a volunteer job, which I clearly need money, but I reckon the animal love is more rewarding than anything else. I always wanted a pet, my parents never let me, and I have always hated them since then, but once again Im going out on a second limb to better myself.
Ill let you guys know how my progress with my therapist went. Keep the advice coming and I really appreciated everyone response on here.</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>
[quote]
So tomorrow I will be meeting with my Therapist for the first time, as I decided to go on a limb even if it cost money. I just want to let all the parents know that I do take your advice, so if anyone accuse me otherwise, I just want to say that it not true. I have also listen to a couple parents advice about animal shelter, and there seem to be one in my area. I love animals, and the reason why I have been stuttering is that it a volunteer job, which I clearly need money, but I reckon the animal love is more rewarding than anything else.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This sort of resolute proactivity is exactly what's called for! Rock on, Collegeboi!</p>
<p>You are incorrect about medication covering up the problem instead of fixing it. In your state of depression, you don't have the emotional energy to fix any problems. When antidepressants work, they help you be able to fix the problems. And anyway, severe depression IS the problem. When I suffered from severe depression, I always blamed something--my job, my marriage, my social life, etc., etc. When I responded well to meds, I realized that what was making me depressed was DEPRESSION!! It is a real disease, a real imbalance of the brain biochemistry. Depression is not to be taken lightly, as it can result in suicide. </p>
<p>Going to a therapist is the best thing you can do for yourself. But don't rule meds out if your therapist recommends medication. Antidepressent medication changed my life--didn't fix all my issues, and my life isn't perfect. But I feel like 'myself' now, and know that the deeply depressed me was not the true me. </p>
<p>Good luck. You sound deeply severely depressed. This is a medical emergency.</p>
<p>collegeboi, how did the visit with the therapist go?</p>
<p>"Going to a therapist is the best thing you can do for yourself. But don't rule meds out if your therapist recommends medication. Antidepressent medication changed my life--didn't fix all my issues, and my life isn't perfect. But I feel like 'myself' now, and know that the deeply depressed me was not the true me. "</p>
<p>Antidepressants changed my life, too. After I reached the right dosage of antidepressants (which does take a while), my life completely changed. I responded so well to the meds that my psychiatrist said that clearly I have a seratonin deficiency, something that based on what I have seen in my mother, brother and grandmother, probably runs in my family.</p>
<p>I still have a normal range of emotions -- including feeling sad when sad things happen. What doesn't happen any more is feeling depressed for no reason, something that used to crash down on me unexpectedly. I have not had that kind of depression during four years that I've been on medication. </p>
<p>It took me more than 50 years to find out what it is like to live a normal life. Before, I was always struggling with depression or trying to outrun it. You are so lucky to be getting treatment while you still have most of your life before you.</p>
<p>My visit with my therapist didn't go well, and I end up feeling even more pathetic and betray than I am already feeling.</p>
<p>Sorry to everyone who had wrote me a private message and how not receive a reply back from me. I'm sorry, I been very miserable, I just want to let all the parents know that I very much appreciated all the message, reply, and help.</p>
<p>geese I don't know what to do, almost all the advice and suggestion by the parents on here I have done and to no luck. I'm sitting here alone on a Saturday night, which is not so surprising. I feel so miserable seeing group of 30 people walking toward me, and I feel even worst when there are pretty girls in those groups. I just don't understand why they are not with me? It this crawling feeling in my stomach, its the feeling of absolute crap, and its the feeling of worthlessness. </p>
<p>God I don't know what else to do. This is too painful.</p>
<p>Why didn't your visit with your therapist go well? It may take some time to build some rapport with your therapist or this therapist may not be right for you. Do not give up on therapy. It may take some time for you to start feeling better. As others have stated, you may need medication. You also need to remember that you are not alone. People do care. Many other students are experiencing the same feelings that you are. You have already received a lot of good advice about how to get involved on campus. Try to follow up on some of those things. If you can get busy and start thinking about other things your whole outlook may change.</p>
<p>It may be time for you to call your therapist back and talk about adding medication to your therapy ASAP. Call today, leave a message explaining how low you're feeling and that you are willing to try medication along with talk therapy.</p>
<p>"My visit with my therapist didn't go well, and I end up feeling even more pathetic and betray than I am already feeling."</p>
<p>What exactly happened? Therapy won't work right away. It's no more realistic to expect an immediate cure than it would be realistic to expect an immediate cure for a serious physical illness.</p>
<p>Please let your therapist know how miserable you are. If you don't like the therapist, change therapists. It's important to start treatment with a therapist whom you like.</p>
<p>Also follow-up on the previously given advice to get a thorough physical including lab tests to find out if there's a physical cause for your depression. Anemia and thyroid problems are among the things that can cause depression.</p>
<p>Also talk to your therapist about the possibility of your getting on medication, something that should be prescribed only after a complete physical.</p>
<p>I think you should print this thread out and share it with the therapist. It really does reveal a lot about your thought process. It might speed up the process.</p>
<p>Yes! Do as Shrinkrap says!</p>
<p>((((HUGS))))</p>