<p>great advice dstark, i think thats what i need, in addition to counseling and medication of course</p>
<p>Don't rule out being able to get an effective therapist when you return to your small town.</p>
<p>My SIL has a lifelong history of depression, and had been seeing without much help a therapist in a big city that is known for having excellent therapists. When she retired and moved to a very small town in a state not known for its excellence in health care, she found a counselor who has been excellent for her. </p>
<p>The SIL who was so depressed that she couldn't get out of bed on at least two Christmases now is getting actively involved in the small town, and is also speaking up when people say things that hurt her feelings (Before, she'd just feel bad, and the people wouldn't know that they'd hurt her feelings).</p>
<p>Also, get a thorough medical evaluation when you go home. This includes lab tests. For instance, thyroid problems can cause depression and other emotional difficulties.</p>
<p>None of us here are qualified to diagnose your difficulties. However, if you do end up being something like bi polar, I know several people who are successful in their professions and/or are in college or grad school who are bi-polar. What seems to help bi-polar people do well is taking their medication, seeing their therapists regularly and monitoring themselves so that they notice when they may need a medication adjustment. </p>
<p>One bi-polar person whom I know just got accepted to grad school at an Ivy. Another is a lawyer. Another is a social worker. All are married or romantically involved and have friends. They had some very difficult times, however, until they were diagnosed and got the right medication. One didn't realize the severity of her problem until a concerned friend treatened to get her involuntarily hospitalized unless she voluntarily sought treatment.</p>
<p>You'll be fine. I was at the famous concert. The one with Paco and Al Di Meola and John Mclaughlin in SF. Maybe you have the cd? Just a fantastic concert. The concert was twice as long as the cd.</p>
<p>i just have a cd of some of his greatest hits, called nuevo anthologia (sp?). he's fantastic.</p>
<p>You have good taste. :)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ypeZ6R-t0&mode=related&search=%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ypeZ6R-t0&mode=related&search=</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV_OysllKJQ&mode=related&search=%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV_OysllKJQ&mode=related&search=</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ypeZ6R-t0&mode=related&search=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQN53ZNWqb0%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ypeZ6R-t0&mode=related&search=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQN53ZNWqb0</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQN53ZNWqb0&mode=related&search=%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQN53ZNWqb0&mode=related&search=</a></p>
<p>these are really cool...
alright i'm out to study for tonight, thanks for the help, and i'll keep you guys updated on how this goes</p>
<p>Irritability is also another sign of ill health.</p>
<p>If at all possible, I would recommend a psychiatrist, a trained MD, over a psychologist. </p>
<p>Please please please talk to your mom and dad about all of this. Show them this thread, whatever. They know you so well--and chances are they have seen something familiar in their immediate families. Family support is key in recovering health of any kind.</p>
<p>Cyber hugs to you kid.</p>
<p>Paco--ask your psychiatrist for your diagnosis. I assume you did this already and that's why you posted about depression, and that the person who popped off about bipolar was being helpful but was not privy to your medical information. </p>
<p>For purposes of this discussion we will assume you know your diagnosis better than random strangers on the internet. Here's what I would do...ask your psychiatrist for a referral to a cognitive-behavioral psychologist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown in double blind studies to be as effective as medication and combined with an effective antidepressant (here's where your shrink can add value--they should be willing to tinker with your meds or refer you to a psychopharmacologist for tinkering if you don't respond to anything they try) to be very effective in treating moderate to severe depression.</p>
<p>One of the symptoms of depression is passivity--it's easy to give up and shrug and feel sorry for yourself, but that's just the illness. If you had a broken leg you'd insist on a referral to an orthopedist--depression is a mood disorder, and you have a right to insist on a referral to a practitioner certified in the proven methods for treating depression. If you are too depressed to persist iwth this, hand this task off to a parent and let him/her advocate for you. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks, I've been reading books by Albert Ellis on CBT, it really helps!</p>
<p>Kudos to all the good hearts who gave important advice so far. Here is mine:</p>
<ol>
<li>Eat healthy foods/stay hydrated/exercise/take vitamins and supplements/sleep enough...every day! Go on the Feingold diet for a few weeks (feingold.org) to see if it helps.</li>
<li>See a naturopath to rule out food or environmental allergies/intolerances.</li>
<li> See a psychiatrist who will do broad diagnostic testing (but do take #1 and #2 seriously - I know a psychiatrist whose own life was almost ruined by an undiagnosed mold allergy!). Read books by Doris Raap to learn more about how foods you are allergic to can change your personality for the worse.</li>
<li> While they won't solve everything, these books give fantastic, practical advice on social skills:
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
What does Everyone Else Know That I Don't By Michele Novotni</li>
<li> Take it easy. Many fantastic adults didn't have a lot of friends in hs or college, and didn't have it all together then either.</li>
</ol>