<p>So I think I'm pretty depressed (I have all the symptoms and I've been pretty unmotivated in regards to academics and life in general - My GPA currently hovers around a 2.0 from what was always in the high 3s). I've talked to my guidance counselor and she thinks I should seek counseling and even use medication if possible (however I'm concerned about the effect this would have on my intellect and the recent concerns about suicide raised by the FDA). I'm not randomly emo or anything but I have some pretty heavy things going on in life (asides from academics of course).</p>
<p>Now my mom's worried that colleges and employers will have access to my medical records. I know about Physician-patient Privilege and I've told her about it but she's pretty concerned.</p>
<p>And it sort of makes sense. I mean why wouldn't a school that's regarded to be a pressure cooker worry about the mental state of its students? And about careers involving Finance (Investment Banking, Speculation, Private Equity) or Management or even Engineering are all really stressful - why wouldn't the employers want to know if I can handle things or not?</p>
<p>Would people know and would it somehow bounce back to affect me?</p>
<p>At this stage there are only two real options - I can carry on with life or I can seek professional help</p>
<p>You should go to a medical professional right away. Maybe there is nothing wrong with you at all! But if there is, this should be your primary concern. Colleges and employers may NOT access your medical records in the United States, although your parents can if you are a minor.</p>
<p>Your guidance counselor is most likely not a doctor and would have no idea if you need medication. Only a medical professional can tell you that. </p>
<p>It is not a sign of weakness to seek help if you think you might be depressed. Many high achieving intelligent people suffer from some form of depression or mental illness and manage to lead fulfilling lives with treatment.</p>
<p>
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You should go to a medical professional right away. Maybe there is nothing wrong with you at all! But if there is, this should be your primary concern. Colleges and employers may NOT access your medical records in the United States, although your parents can if you are a minor.
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</p>
<p>Ok Good. Oh my parents can access the records? Well that's not very encouraging.</p>
<p>I actually made the appointment some time ago; Ever since my mom brought the subject up I'm just scared that somehow future employers will find it out.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Your guidance counselor is most likely not a doctor and would have no idea if you need medication. Only a medical professional can tell you that.
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<p>I've always talked to my physician and she thinks I should see a therapist straight away!</p>
<p>Pat yourself on the back for even asking what the pros and cons are of seeking professional assistance for depression. My understanding is that your medical file is private, and may not be released without your permission-PERIOD. If you have your insurance pay for the costs, then the insurance company will be aware-again-they are NOT allowed to release the records.
With all that being said...if you feel it will be helpful, then it most likely will be helpful to seek counseling. Sometimes you will need a prescription, but many times you do not. Best of luck to you-a Mom</p>
<p>Employers (outside of government agencies/subcontractors where a high level of security clearance is involved or public safety positions) are not allowed to ask you questions about specific medical conditions as any part of screening for employment, be it on an application or in an interview.</p>
<p>They may ask if you have a medical condition that may limit you from performing specific job duties (as outlined in the job description) and you can freely answer "no" if you believe that your medical condition makes you suitable for the job.</p>
<p>For example, they may ask if you would have problems lifting a 60 lb box frequently during the day if you are a delivery driver, but cannot ask if you've ever had back surgery or a hernia. If you (with the advice of your physician) feel that you are capable of lifting the 60 lb. box, then you can answer the first question affirmatively. If asked whether you have or have had a specific medical condition, that is an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) issue.</p>
<p>Bottom line, there is no reason to worry about being treated for any medical condition. Get the help you need and good luck!</p>
<p>For psychological help, including psychiatric treatment with medication, even the insurance company is allowed only limited access to your records.</p>
<p>Minors cannot give consent to medical treatment, so your parents, or guardian(s) have to do so. Again, for psychiatric issues the docs will usually be as respectful of your privacy, even with your parents, as they can be, given their first responsibility for patient safety.</p>
<p>There is no way colleges or future employers will know unless you tell them.</p>
<p>Depression is serious and you should get treated.</p>
<p>Let me just say this: The answer to your thread title is "YES." If you do not seek counseling, your future could be negatively affected. If that happens, all other worries take a backseat. Please seek help. I have a brother who let his depression go untreated far too long. Take my word for it, it is best to deal with the issues NOW. Please follow your instincts. My thoughts are with you.</p>
<p>A very safe place to read about this, and then realize there's a national organization with state chapters for research and support. There are people you can CALL to get answers for questions such as yours:</p>
<p>AZN DOOD~ GET HELP. IT'S THAT SIMPLE! if you truly are in trouble, THAT will hurt you a lot more than "someone finding out". which isn't really an issue. medication and therapy have "come out of the closet" and are no longer reasons to stigmatize. besides, they won't be looking up your info on the national data base! they have lots more stuff to do! and IF schools discriminated on applicants in this way, there'd be a lot fewer kids going off to college! i'm a mental health professional, and feel free to PM me. good luck.</p>
<p>Good for you for planning to seek help! This is a smart and mature decision to make.</p>
<p>If you're worried about negative outcomes in your future, seeking help is going to work out best on balance. People suffering unnecessarily from treatable mental illness don't just suffer in the here and now; as you've experienced, your work suffers, your grades drop, etc. That fallout from trying to cope with the illness on your own is a lot more likely to cause you headaches down the road than the fact that you sought help and fixed the problem. A professional may be able to help you get back on track so that you both feel better and work better. Good luck!</p>
<p>Edited to add: I wish I could tell you how many successful i-bankers, finance managers, and engineers have taken antidepressants or take them now! I don't know if they're actually in the majority, but I'm telling you, it's close.</p>
<p>Also, regarding the risk of suicide in adolescents, I testified before the FDA on this subject in 2006. There is NO EVIDENCE that antidepressants increase the risk of suicide, only of suicidal "ideation" (thinking about it). Most teen suicides are kids who need help and aren't getting it. Also, there is no antidepressant that takes away your decision-making power. There are so many ways to get emergency help if you need it. Seriously, whether you take medication or not, you can make up your mind right now to call 911 right away if you are ever scared that you could hurt yourself.</p>
<p>Azn Dood - There is wonderful advice above. The greatest risk to your future is that you carry doubts about yourself into adulthood. Mitigate your downside risk by seeing a professional NOW. FWIW I doubt these visits will ever be a negative issue for you in the future. Good luck!</p>
<p>if you had another medical condition that was seriously affecting your ability to function, would you suffer rather than seek treatment? </p>
<p>for some reason, people seem to think that "mental" illnesses will just get better on their own, or can be conquered without professional help. if you are suffering from a mental illness, please focus on the "illness" concept, not the "mental" concept. </p>
<p>if you had asthma, you'd seek medical help and medication so you could breath. if you had diabetes, you'd seek medical help and medication so that you could control your blood sugar. if you are in fact depressed, it is just as real an illness -- and just as capable of being treated. </p>
<p>and don't be afraid to express your concerns and questions to a mental health professional -- as part of their treatment of you, they should be able to discuss your concerns about possible side effects and answer your questions (the same is true for any health professional -- you should always ask questions and make sure you are comfortable with the care you are provided.)</p>
<p>please seek the help you may need in order to function normally again.</p>
<p>[i am not qualified to say whether in fact you do indeed have depression and need help -- i only strongly advise you to look into the possibility and get help if you in fact do need it.]</p>
<p>Azn,
It's good you're going to get help. Depression is very treatable. For now you don't even need to think about medication, that's a different decision that you and the therapist will reach together. </p>
<p>Your mother is worrying needlessly. As others have posted, schools and employers will not have access to your confiential medical information.</p>
<p>It takes insight and maturity to recognize that you need help and then get it. Good luck!</p>
<p>I've "officially" been diagnosed with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Apparently they're not serious enough to require the use of medication, I'm going through therapy right now!</p>
<p>am glad to hear you followed through with the evaluation and are taking advantage of therapy. Don't be discouraged if you take two steps forward and one step back, or if eventually it is determined a short course of antidepressants might be helpful to get you through a rough time. Being open to the process is the key to success.</p>
<p>There is some research to suggest that taking fish oil supplements can seriously help depression with no side effects (other than burping :-P take them at night :-) You may want to give it a try!</p>
<p>Good going, Azn. Sometimes a person is helped by adding a medication to their therapy, if your professionals suggest it don't hesitate to add a medication. Today's antidepressants/anxiolitics are far different than years ago. Now there are drugs that act on the role of specific neurotransmitters in the brain- they free up your brain to act normally, correcting a chemical imbalance just as other drugs work elsewhere in the body. The days of being hit with a sledgehammer drug have been replaced with much more finesse. You have a much brighter future dealing with your health now than waiting- as others did a good job telling you. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away, getting help as you are doing is the way to go. Like with any other medical problem it may need some changes in treatment, don't worry when that happens. If you become dissatisfied with your provider you can switch providers, the same rules apply as when dealing with medical help for other problems. Remember to have patience. Good luck.</p>
<p>Azn: I'm so glad that you are getting therapy! And that you have a smiley on your last post! Good luck to you...recognizing the need to seek help is a huge part of overcoming the problem.</p>