New here...

[Gemma]

Hi everybody. I'm new to this forum so I thought I'd post this and introduce myself I suppose. I'm 18 and hopefully I'm going to university in September. I joined because I was diagnosed with moderate depression a few months ago and I thought it would help me if I could see that other people are in the same situation as me while I wait to get counselling. I'm hoping I may gain some comfort from realising that. I've been depressed for about 10 months now and I only got diagnosed in March of this year because I was too scared to aproach anyone about my feelings and, because I thought it was a normal teenage thing to feel so miserable all the time. I don't feel like I can talk to my parents or my boyfriend of nearly three years about it because they just don't understand. Its as if I'm the only person in the world who understands, even though I know deep down that I'm not.
I don't really sleep in the nights and find it really difficult to get out of bed in the morning because I'm so tired. I often find myself falling asleep in the middle of the day because I'm so physically and mentally drained. On top of that, I really dispise myself and my image which I never used to do. I used to be quite confident and bubbly but I'm not anymore. I don't really eat alot so I can loose weight to try and look better but everytime I loose a little weight, I gain it back. Probably with intrest. I constantly feel guilty for my mistakes that I made years ago and find myself looking backwards when I used to be happier.
I'm a person who is a perfectionist and so, I can't take any critism without getting upset and crying which I tend to do a lot anyway. To avoid critism and arguments, I lock myself away and I don't spend much time with my friends and family anymore. I don't really like being in public. It makes me edgy and nervous.
I'm sorry to bother everyone with this but I hope you can all help me feel better and I can do the same for you when I'm in a better state of mind.

[cornish]

he and welcome.   first of all your no bother to any of us, we are all fellow sufferers and understand what your going though.  first of all what sort of medication or treatment are you receiving ?

[Gemma]

Umm I'm not receving any medication... I got given the option but I didn't want to do that 
I'm supposed to be getting counselling soon. I'm just waiting for a phone call to set up a date. And thank you :)

[cornish]

im very sorry to say this but some of the waiting lists are long, you may need to be patient.
i dont want to push you into anything but medication can really help, ultimately its your decision but i can honestly say without it i probably wouldn't still be here.


my advice today might not be too good as im in a really bad place at the moment so your probably better off waiting for some one else to reply.

[Gemma]

Yeah I know I've been on the list for a while but they got in touch last week to set a date up.. Still waiting for the call though..
No I understand completely... I hope tomorrow is easier for you..

[cornish]

well i hope it wont be too much longer for you then, have you had an initial assessment yet ?
thank you, little words of encouragement really help.  :)

[Gemma]

I got diagnosed a couple of months ago but thats the most I've had yet.. This is my first experience of depression so I'm not sure what to expect and I don't understand much about it :/

[cornish]

ive  only had one experience but its been well over a year now, im not really sure on the exact date.
all i can say is that for me it has been a long and scary road to getting anywhere near recovery. i truely hope this isnt the case for you.
i only discovered this place recently but in the short time i have been here i have found friendship and a lot of support here, so stick around and we will do what we can to try and help you

[Gemma]

Yeah... I was only looking and I found this place yesterday and tbh... I need some support because nobody around me has ever experienced what I'm going through
Hopefully it won't be as bad as some people have had it on here :/
And thank you very much :)

[cornish]

you will receive plenty of support here, i just wish i was in more of a state today to be able to help a bit

[Gemma]

Don't worry about it :) I'll be ok

[seamie]

hi gemma. its good that you have sought help, but what you will have to do is to keep on at your gp and pressure him into getting things going because like cornish says things move very slowly,as nearly everybody on here has experienced. you could try some form of medication until you begin counseling. all types of antidepressants have there pros and cons but its a least worth a try in the short term. not much to understand about depression chuck except its not a good place to be,but there are lots of understanding people on here if you need to talk. take care gemma

[Gemma]

I don't really think I want to have medication because I'm scared of what it may do to me :/ I'm supposed to be getting a call this week so fingers crossed I suppose... Aha I've done looking into it before I got diagnosed and clearly a lot of my symptoms added up I thought there might be a little more to it than feeling so bad though :/ Nevermind... And thank you

[Zaf]

Hi

The first time I was diagnosed with depression I really really didnt want to take medication but believe me it can help a lot, from my experience you can wait months for counselling on the NHS.

I havent been here long but everyone here is helpful and more to the point they understand this illness.

Zaf x

[Munchroom]

Hi Gemma and welcome  :)

As everyone has said previously - medication is a great help - Its no magic cure, but it just takes the edge off! Gives you that little bit extra so that things become bearable again.

I hope you can find advice and friendship on here  :) It has been a massive help to me! x