Living with depression: Help

Living with depression: Help

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There are two main kinds of help for depression, medication and counselling or therapy. And one of the biggest myths about the medication aspect is that once you start taking anti depressants you will have to keep taking them for the rest of your life. And while some people do remain on them for a long while, doctors are keen to ensure that you are not kept on them forever.

After a while of you being on your medication, if you seem to be making progress then they will start to consider when you should come off the pills. This is normally done in the spring/summer months because it is a time when people tend to feel happier and are not affected by things such as S.A.D. They will gradually lower the dosage and eventually tell you to stop taking them. You will never be asked to simply stop taking them straight away as this can do more harm than good.

Always make sure your doctor assesses when you should stop taking the pills, this is a decision you should not make on your own. Just because you have been feeling better for a few weeks or even a few months does not mean you can stop taking the pills cold turkey. Any alterations NEED to be handled under the supervision of a doctor. They will reassess your situation on a regular basis and keep track of your improvements, and they will tell you when you are ready to come off the pills.

Counselling or therapy is often used in conjunction with medication. The pills allow you to take full advantage of the counselling.

Whether you are sent to a counsellor or a therapist there are a few things you need to know.

The doctor has NOT sent you to a professional because they think you are crazy, they have sent you because they know you need someone to talk to that understands what is going on in your mind right now.

Everything said to your counsellor or therapist is treated with total confidentiality.

You will only be seeing a therapist temporarily, you won't have to be going for the next ten years.

You won't be asked to lie down on a big leather couch.

You won't be asked your innermost secrets on your first session, it takes time to build up a relationship with your counsellor or therapist, they are fully aware that a bond has to be formed before you will begin to trust them. This is why most counsellors will give you the option of requesting someone else if you are not comfortable with your present counsellor.

You also have the right to see a counsellor or therapist that is the same gender as you, I saw a male therapist though and he was fantastic so keep an open mind but if you are uncomfortable with seeing an opposite gendered person, tell your doctor and they will arrange someone else for you.