I’m giving up

[jaqueline_barajas]

I’ve been depressed for 7+ years now and I’ve never been treated with medication just therapy. My parents are against it because of our religion, so I never finished my sessions of therapy. I’m started to feel sad again, and I don’t know what to do

[lbp_419]

I get it. My parents have always been against medication, but because they think it won’t help and aren’t willing to try it. I’m here if you need to talk

[jaqueline_barajas in reply to lbp_419]

Someone at my school actually told the counselor I was cutting, i was not allowed to go home until my parents picked me up. The crisis team came to my house to talk to my parents, I thought they would understand but instead made me feel a million times worse

[lbp_419 in reply to jaqueline_barajas]

Oh gosh... I totally can relate. I used to cut but when I got really down a couple years ago, people texted my parents telling them about it and my parents wouldn’t let me leave the house and took away my phone and everything

[hunter4ransom]

I’m so sorry to hear that. Some people need medication. I am one of them. I take Zoloft for anxiety and depression. They say low levels of serotonin (brain chemicals) can cause depression and anxiety. The SSRIs, like Zoloft, help boost the serotonin in our brains to help better regulate our moods/depression. I was told my medication helps my serotonin levels like insulin helps a diabetics sugar levels. Our bodies aren’t producing enough serotonin which can lead to depression and medication can help. I know medication isn’t for everyone, but if you have been struggling for years and therapy hasn’t helped, you need to have a talk with your doctor and/or parents about other options. It isn’t fair for you to live in misery if there is something that can help you. Hang in there and know we are here for you.

[jaqueline_barajas in reply to hunter4ransom]

Well considering I have never been on medication, it’s hard to know wether it will help me or not. The idea of depending on medication for my happiness is just so depressing to me. I know it helps a lot of people out though. Thank you, I agree!

[MariaLove123]

We all want to respect our parents but God gave us our own unique bodies to take care. That should always come first!

You can see a doctor and get on medications without them knowing. I’m sorry, but mental illness is life or death and we have to put ourselves first. I’m sure you’re at the age where you can make this decision on your own.

Can I ask how bad is your depression? What is a typical day like for you?

And if your parents support therapy you should definitely continue it. Talking to someone once a week is so good for the soul.

I’m sorry you’ve been enduring this for over 7 years. It’s time to take action!

[jaqueline_barajas in reply to MariaLove123]

All my days are not always bad. I have good days and then other days I just want to kill myself.. I’m 19 years old turning 20 in November, still living with my parents because I have no where else to go. I work as a CMA, Monday through Friday. I guess that’s a good thing because I keep my mind busy, but it takes everything of me to get up and actually go. I hide my feelings all the time because people who don’t have depression don’t really know what it’s like. They always tell me I need to be grateful to be alive or that there are other people going through something worse than I am as if my feelings didn’t matter. It’s just better to keep things to myself... I’m Hispanic and wether im old enough to make decisions on my own, my parents will always find a way to put their opinion first with whatever i decide, I respect my parents a lot, the main reason being because I still live under their roof. So 9/10 I always just keep my feelings to myself so I don’t cause any problems. That’s probably what kills me the most because I’ve never had friends or someone to talk to, that’s when I started to self harm. It’s like I find it satisfying to punish myself for the way I feel. I know that sounds kind of crazy but I have a really hard time coping with my feelings

[MariaLove123]

Everyone your age is feeling the same way. Trust me. You don’t realize how young you are and that living with your parents right now is normal and should bring you guys closer. Open up to them more. They may not always be right and understand. But Parents can be tough because they love us unconditionally and will be our greatest support system all the way through. Around age 20 I started realizing how much my parents want the best for me. My mom and I even started going shopping together, vegging out watching movies and she now knows everything I’ve endured. She’s my absolute best friend now and we fought so much in high school and part of college. I hated how my mom was strict and hard on me. Allow them into your life more. Real friends will come I promise. It’s a tough age for everyone trying to find themselves and how they fit in. You can still do things for yourself with medication even if they don’t approve. You kind of have to pick your battles. Do you think about going to school for something you want to do? It sounds like this job is not making you happy. Don’t let that go on forever. Explore other possibilities.

And days where you’re feeling low, talk on here, talk to your mom, keep pushing with her. Do you like to exercise? Start little with that. You’re young and your body needs movement and good energy. And you’ll meet people at the gym. You have such a great life ahead of you. Remember to be gentle on yourself. Be kind to others. Don’t judge. Do things to take care of yourself. That’s the most important thing. It’s good you don’t have bad days all the time. And you certainly don’t want it to get to that.

Oh and whoever is saying other people have it worse and you should be grateful is garbage. I hate that. I stay away from those people. They don’t understand depression and tend to make you feel worse.

Please see your therapist! Again, even if it’s behind your parents back. They don’t have to know everything but as time goes on you can start opening up.

It’s just a tough illness. But you have so much to look forward to. I’m 36. I’d give anything to be 19 and listen to my older self.

Hugs 🤗❤️