I have been depressed for a while and it slowly got worse, but now I feel it rapidly getting worse. I suffer from chronic loneliness as well and both are harsh. It feels like I am fighting against myself most days. I don't want to get put on antidepressants because I have a fear of the side effects and how harsh they can get and because I am alone, I have no one to support me while my life changes rapidly.
I have a lot of issues making relationships. I am single, have no friends and I clash a ton with my family. Sometimes I talk to myself to try and relieve the lonelioness and it works sometimes, but sometimes it hurts even more. On top of that, I am going to college and it has been getting worse as my classes have gotten harder. I do not cut myself or harm myself, but I withdraw heavily and isolate myself from the world because I am a bit agoraphobic and I am afraid of myself as well. I truly don't know what to do because I am going downhill fast.
HI DEE, I am so sorry that you feel so lonely and unhappy...
Please make an appointment to SEE your doctor as soon as you possibly can....I have been on antidepressants for 12 yrs...( sertraline 200 mg daily. Also pregabalin 300 mg daily, this helps with GAD...I have to say, I am lucky I have had NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL... in.fact...they probably saved my life...they can really !! Make a huge difference for the better...talk to your GP, they will know which is the most suitable for you...
They can help you get your life back...I wish you sooooo much luck and happiness...BLESS you...big sincere hugs...DEIRDRE xxx
Hi doc. I fully understand how you feel regarding the lonliness and avoiding anti depressants. I am lucky enough to have a solid and great group of family and friends but i stopped talking to them as it made me feel worse as i know i was dragging them down with me. I know that the only person who can make anybody happy is themselves and im sure and hope im getting stronger. Stick with this forum as you get gr8 advice. Please feel free to pm me if you just want a chat anytime and i mean anytime. Chin up x
Hi Doc I know you dont want to go to the doctors but they can help even if just tell them how you feel it may make you feel a little better, but you do have a choice of going on tablets but I do advise if they suggest it it will help you, alot of people dont get side effects and they are only on a small dose so just go and talk with them and if you dont want the tablets just tell them and hopefully they will help you. I know what loneless is, I dont see anyone from 6am when hubby leaves for work and he dont always get home until 7pm, I also suffer from agroraphobic so staying in doors is a escape from the real world, I know this but there is no way I will go around next door just to say hello, I know in my head nothing will happen but in your mind I just cant do it, as some people say cant is a word but sorry I cant go anywhere on my own. But please go to the doctors just for a talk, if not the doctors prehaps a nurse, it all helps in the end.
Please do see your doctor and consider seeing a counsellor too. There are normally low cost counsellng services available -- Mind for example often offers counseling or ask your GP if he/she can suggest something. Depression does isolate you -- and the deeper you sink into it the harder it is to help yourself and get out. I'd also suggest your seeing if there are any Depression Alliance support groups in your area. You can look at the groups available on the main website http://www.depressionalliance.org/how-we-can-help/self-help-groups. If there are no groups in your area think of joining their Friends In Need online community. As for anti depressants do not write them off completely. They are not addictive in the way that tranquilisers can be. When I was a student I suffered from my worst depressions and a combination of anti depressant medication and talk-therapy helped me to get through it. And finally, depression is a self-limiting condition -- it does eventually lift even though it does not seem like it when you are in it. Hang on in there because you are not alone -- try to reach out and find others who have been there too because there is support out there. Depression affects 1 in 4 at some point in life. It's that common. Take care.