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Anti Depressants

Anonymous #1

Are there any available over the counter?

Reply 1

username47781

20

Not that i am aware of, think only Doctors give them out.

Reply 2

ForumFreak

9

Well natural remedies (like St Johns wort or something like that) that are supposed to help with depression can be bought over the counter but for "proper" stuff like prozac I think you'd need a prescription.

Reply 3

Kate85

8

No, they have to prescribed by a doctor.

If you feel you have a problem then go to your GP. There is no harm in it and he/she will talk it all over with you and prescribe what they think is best for you.

Also, don't let the 'stigma' of such things to put you off talking about them, I'm on anti-depressants at the moment and they have really helped me. I'm not saying they will be the best option for you but you can discuss that with your GP.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

I have been feeling pretty down since February, and the thought of going on anti-dep never really appealed to me. But now, I feel my life has fallen apart, I dont really think I can go to the GP with out my parents knowing, and I dont want to lie to them. I am in kinda tough situation and I dont know what to do.
Also about the St Johns wort, where can I get it from?
Thank you

Reply 5

username47781

20

Anonymous

I have been feeling pretty down since February, and the thought of going on anti-dep never really appealed to me. But now, I feel my life has fallen apart, I dont really think I can go to the GP with out my parents knowing, and I dont want to lie to them. I am in kinda tough situation and I dont know what to do.
Also about the St Johns wort, where can I get it from?
Thank you

Well i am afraid its either go to the doctors or continue feeling down unfortunatly, unless you can talk to a close friend.

Reply 6

ForumFreak

9

I'm not sure if I was correct about St Johns Wort but I've definately heard of natural remedies and stuff for depression so look it up on the internet. I would still definately get some proper medical advice though.

As for where you'd get it from I think you can just buy it from a health food shop like "Holland and Barretts" or even a supermarket.

Reply 7

Harv616

9

Anti-Depressants arent the way, you will probably just get hooked on them

Go see a shrink or a counselor

Reply 8

lolly83

Best thing for depression is counselling, get to the heart of the issue and sort it.
Anti-depressants are also incredibly helpfull, was on prozac a few years ago and it did help, but not as much as the support groups i went to.
For all these things you will have to see your GP, it'll be confidential so your parents don't need to know a thing.

St. Johns Wort is available from most pharmacies and health stores, not good if you're on the contraceptive pill though, can stop it being effective (the pill that is!)
Would also check that is doesn't interfere with any other meds you're on.

If you're open minded then reiki is fantastic, as is reflexology, not sure if i believe in the ideology behind it, could just be the quiet relaxed atmosphere and some sort of placebo effect but try it once, it's lovely. :smile:

Reply 9

ForumFreak

9

I'm sorry you're having such a bad time.

Have you tried writing down all your problems? It can sometimes help you see things that you cant see when all you problems are swirling around in your head.

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

I just cant do that though, believe me I have thought about it, but it isnt possible. And no, I dont feel right now that there is someone I can talke to, I have told a friend abit about my depression, but she doesnt know thw whole story, I dont even know if I know the whole story.

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

OP

Yes, I did write down everything, I have 150 pages of things, but I stopped a couple of months ago, to be honest, I didnt see teh need, nothing was and is improving.

Reply 12

pixiepeep

13

I had a horrible time before I came to terms with my depression. I really didn't want to go on anti-depressants, and I tired everything I could think of before I did eventually end up on them.

If there are psychological issues then perhaps councelling is the best way to go.

If you're genuinely concerned then a trip to the GP is probably your best bet. Your parents don't need to know, your GP isn't allowed to tell them. I'll be honest though, my parents were a great help when they realised I actually had a problem and wasn't just being an anti-social teenager. To get through this you need all the support you can get, and there will always be people who can be there for you.

My suggestion would be to see your GP. The first thing they suggest is councelling as they don't, despite the stereotype, like dishing out prozac.

I hope things get better for you soon, and don't give up hope. There's an answer somewhere.

Reply 13

ForumFreak

9

Are you sure you couldn't talk to your parents? The fact that you don't want to lie to them suggests that you have a decent enough relationship. They might be really helpful and supportive if they knew how you felt.

Reply 14

yummyfudge7

7

A friend of mine is on anti-depressants at the moment and has been for about 5 months now. At first he claimed that they were quite effective and things got better for him, but it seems that now they're not having any effect as he's feeling down constantly. Therefore I would suggest that they're only a short term remedy, and for the long term it may be best to go to a councillor/support group, as numerous people above have suggested. Due to a few things going on in my life I went to a stress councillor at my doctors, and you'd be surprised at what a relief it is just to have someone who'll listen. Hope things go well for you.

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

OP

Thank you for your replies. Well, my relationship is okay I suppose with my parents, we do argue quite alot, and at times I just want to leave, thankfully, there are times when a week goes by and we dont argue, and as of now that has been the case. When the situation at home is good, I generally feel better, but I dont know how long it will be until another fight, I honestly try my best to avoid them, but its part of my nature I suppose to speak out when I see them do or say something I dont like. Theoretically, I could go to the GP and see them, and I wouldnt have to tell my paretns, but I would be on witts end, scared that they would find out, and I would rather them find out from me them from another way. Having said that, I dont feel I could tell them, alot of the things I feel now, I very much doubt they have had to feel it/go through it. They were bought up back in North Africa, so me and my siblings and first gen here. I guess I am just trying to figure out who I am and what I want. But its taking ages. I mean, at times I am convinced I am mental. The way I think, the way I see things, the way it confuses me about where the line has to be drawn in everything in life. The flaws of society, the flaws in my self. The way everyoien around me preach one thing, yet practice another.
Again thank you for your replies. I think I will see if I can get any of that St Johns Wort to start with.
Thank you xx

Reply 16

puppy

Anonymous

Are there any available over the counter?

They made my life a living a hell. I took them for anxiety and they made me clinically depressed and suicidal. I'm sure they work for some people but I actually prefer my messed up, anxiety dictated life to feeling like utter crap for 24 hours a day. Just think about what you really want from them and if you might be able to go about things in other way. I wouldn't wish how I felt on my worst enemies.

Reply 17

BeesKnees

16

My doctor put me on anti-depressants a while ago for anxiety and depression issues. Took myself off them after a short while after being advised by another doctor to try and deal with my "issues" first before getting too dependent on them. Managed to talk to a counselor and things actually coincidentally fell into place with my family too so I don't know what your situation is but if you can try and fix what's making you depressed or going on in your life first, it would be better for you.

Reply 18

wirbelsturm

2

puppy

They made my life a living a hell. I took them for anxiety and they made me clinically depressed and suicidal. I'm sure they work for some people but I actually prefer my messed up, anxiety dictated life to feeling like utter crap for 24 hours a day. Just think about what you really want from them and if you might be able to go about things in other way. I wouldn't wish how I felt on my worst enemies.

Yep, what a great post. A lot of antidepressants have the side effect of more depression. You may find that you have to keep trying different pills until you get one that controlls the problem and has no side effects. This can be a long process. Having said that there is also considerable evidence that suggests they have a positive influence on some people. To the OP, I am not a shrink but if I was to give you advice from person to person I would advise you to go to the GP and talk things over. You will then be referred to a specialist. It depends on your age really, if you are still at school then you could go to the mentors there, the only problem with this is that your parents may be informed(which may not be a bad thing). But doctors are bound with patient confidentially regulations so you have no need to worry about everyone knowing. good luck with everything, hope you find a way to feel better and remember that its nothing to be ashamed of.

Reply 19

Anonymous #2

BhArJ

Anti-Depressants arent the way, you will probably just get hooked on them

Go see a shrink or a counselor

Er...My 'shrink' put me on antidepressants as well as having behavioural therapy. I know pretty much for a fact (given that I'd tried it before) that without them I would've been all over the place for the therapy to have helped much.

I'm not saying you're not right in some cases, they're not right for everyone, but posts like yours aren't helpful and they're ill-informed, some people need antidepressants and do very well with the help of them.