Medical options for someone with severe depression?!


Question: Medical options for someone with severe depression?
Info: I'm a 17 year old female, (18 in April) and I've been depressed for several months now. I'm not sure what triggered it, and I know it's not seasonal affective disorder. Lately I've also had serious thoughts of suicide, and I've decided that I need to seek help. My question is this: What options do I have? I know that antidepressants don't start to work for weeks or months, and I'm afraid that if I hey put on antidepressants/therapy and just get sent back off to school and my regular 'routine' as usual that I might just get worse and possibly turn to drastic measures before the medication has a chance to kick in. I need an immediate change, and I don't know if I qualify as 'unstable' enough to be sent to a behavioral clinic for troubled teens which seems, to me, to be the best option to take in order to keep me from injuring myself. Anyone been through this before? Anyone know what I should do?

Answers:

I went through that when I was 13. I went to a Mental Hospital, but I didn't send myself. I was sent by law under my circumstances. The fact that you can admit that you're having struggles is a big step towards recover, I'd like to tell you that :). If you honestly believe that going to a behavioral clinic will help you- DO IT! I greatly encourage you to. It made me feel a ton better, and I now have life skills because of it.
Your options are numerous, and everyone has different coping skills:
Antidepressants (I know you don't want these but it is an option), Therapy, Behavioral Clinic, sports or clubs in which you can interact with new people, talking to a family member. Be sure to remind those that are close to you how much they mean to you, because what would you do if you lost THEM?
I hope you feel better. Please take my advice, I'd feel amazing to know that I helped someone through what I went through.



I have depression and I have attempted suicide before, so I know what you're going through. The truth is that only a doctor will know how to treat you best, I had to see my doctor before being referred to a psychiatrist who diagnosed and treated me. I think you need to talk to someone about it. If you need to talk, email me, I'm always willing to help :)



I am not sure if your American school has this, but try to arrange a appointment with a counsellings service if it exist at your school to speak to an profession where she/he will give you the best advice for your situation. I myself is feeling depress but severe depression and I have made an appointment for counseling service.




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