Medication/diagnosis

[Alexiserickson]

How effective are medications for treating depression? What is the diagnosing process? Are my parents required to come? Are the medicines expensive?

[OnyxLynn]

Medication can be very effective, paired with counseling it really can help. Both of my sons have been on antidepressants for yrs now, the youngest starting at about age 8 (now 18). Depending in your location and age, yes at least on parent would need to be there because of paperwork same as seeing a regular dr for the first time. Your regular Dr may have the ability of diagnosing you as well.

The meds can be expensive depending on the type used but i know dime companies offer free or reduced cost medication for low income or no insurance families, also generic are always a lot cheaper.

[Artroc56]

The answer is very much dependent upon which country you live in. Here in the UK your parents do not need to be present and medication is free to anyone under the age of 18. If you state your country of residence your may well get a more precise answer.

[Clazzy78 in reply to Artroc56]

Hello. I am from the UK.

We usually see our GP as our first place to go will illness/health issues including mental issues.

Gps have various ways of diagnosing depression although from what I understand there are some questionnaires we can fill in to help our Gp come to a diagnosis.

We generally pay a standard prescription fee if we pay for our prescriptions. Some people are exempt from that fee but must meet certain criteria.

I am not sure about your parents. It may be an age thing. Certainly I was visiting my GP on my own from when I was about 15 onwards. How old are you?

Do you not feel able to talk to your parents about how you feel?

Do you feel you need to see a doctor about how you feel?

If you are not in the UK things may be different. I can only speak about the UK.

Best wishes 💗

[Alexiserickson in reply to Clazzy78]

Thank you for the response! Concerning how I feel about talking to my parents... yes, I don't feel at all comfortable talking to them about my mental state. They're judgemental, and when mental health is brought up, they brush it off like it's unimportant or something. I'm afraid of how they'll react, and I don't want to be uncomfortable. I do want to see a doctor about my mental health, but that may be a problem if I don't want my parents to come... Im 16 and I live in the US, so I think they require a parent to be there. Oh well, it'll work out somehow!

[Clazzy78 in reply to Alexiserickson]

I am sorry you are not able to talk to your parents.

Is it possible to talk to a counsellor at school?

Can you talk to someone else in your family?

[OnyxLynn in reply to Alexiserickson]

You may be able to make an appt with your dr. At 16 the dr does not Have to reveal what your being seen for..(part of the hipa policy) if you go to your regular dr. They may still find out though if given a prescription.

I do agree, maybe start with your school counselor and they may be able to help more as far privacy issues and where to go.

[Hidden in reply to Artroc56]

And your age as this will affect any advice we can give you as well.