Anti depressants

[Unregistered]

Well to start off a little bit of back history for me.

I was diagnosed with depression a few years back and yeah. Never took meds but went to therapy for years. I just started college this year and it started off fine and for the longest time I thought I grew out of my depression. I use to self harm and I was a risk because of suicide attempts but those are gone. Recently my depression has really been kicking my ass and I'm contemplating self harm and that stuff more and more each day. I have yet to talk to my counselor here on campus mostly because my depression is really bipolar and the days I really need help I don't go see them (by appointment only) and its just a constant cycle of feeling really down then having one good day then back to feeling like shit again.

So why I'm asking about antidepressants; I'm majoring in criminal justice looking to get into crime scene investigation and hoping to eventually get into the FBI. I'm working on getting an internship with them but am scared if I go on antidepressants I will be screwed in my field if choice. I feel there is a strong need for them, not because I'm a suicide risk anymore but just because I want to finally be happy instead of hating life.

So here's where I need help. I don't want to mess up my future by starting these meds but I feel like I really need help.

So any thoughts?

 

[I KO I]

It sounds like you won't be happy if you don't take them. Even if you would love to work for the FBI, you're still going to feel down, sad, hate your life because you're not taking your meds.

Personally, I would rather feel happy, good about my self then do something that I would love to do but hate myself, feel down/sad.

With bi-polar, don't you have an amazing high for a few weeks-month and then have an really bad low for x amount of time?

If so, take the pills so that you have a level mood, I would never be able to handle the pain.

 

[rue]

Why not call your doctor and seek his/her advice, they've spent 8+ years in the field and can give you more of a detailed answer than anyone here (assuming they're not a doctor themselves). Your doctor also has a laundry list of people he/she could suggest for you to speak to.

 

I've been on anti-depressants for a few years, for various reasons. Personally, they really help me out, and without them I can be all over the place. I'm also on other medications for other conditions, you can PM me if you'd like to know what, and it hasn't affected me going to college and university to study psychology and working with children. I don't think it'll affect your future and I'd recommend starting the anti-depressants and decide whether they make a difference to you, you can always stop taking them afterwards.

 

[Sun]

You don't need anti-depressants to stop thinking like you're thinking. If you're worried that they'd affect your goals in the long run, don't take them. Just think about something else. It may seem impossible, but holy cow! You want to join the FBI; that's a big goal. Make your life about wanting to join the FBI one day and go above and beyond everyone in the classroom. Do extra work to refrain from having down time. Try out for some sports or join a school club or something. Do anything to take your mind off self-harm and all that yucky stuff.

I wish you luck in your internship and field of choice goal.

 

Well to start off a little bit of back history for me.

I was diagnosed with depression a few years back and yeah. Never took meds but went to therapy for years. I just started college this year and it started off fine and for the longest time I thought I grew out of my depression. I use to self harm and I was a risk because of suicide attempts but those are gone. Recently my depression has really been kicking my ass and I'm contemplating self harm and that stuff more and more each day. I have yet to talk to my counselor here on campus mostly because my depression is really bipolar and the days I really need help I don't go see them (by appointment only) and its just a constant cycle of feeling really down then having one good day then back to feeling like shit again.

So why I'm asking about antidepressants; I'm majoring in criminal justice looking to get into crime scene investigation and hoping to eventually get into the FBI. I'm working on getting an internship with them but am scared if I go on antidepressants I will be screwed in my field if choice. I feel there is a strong need for them, not because I'm a suicide risk anymore but just because I want to finally be happy instead of hating life.

So here's where I need help. I don't want to mess up my future by starting these meds but I feel like I really need help.

So any thoughts?

Hello mate,

You say that you are currently on anti-depressants, who are these being prescribed by, and does this practitioner have a long term treatment plan to reduce your dosage and eventually, possible, remove the medication? Medication for depression should really only be used during the acute stage, and a long term treatment plan of rehabilitation and such should be designed.

If this is not the case, ask them to design you a rehabilitation program. This isn't as scary as it may seem. It can range from just going for a walk every day to emerging yourself in different activities such as puzzles, painting, artwork, sports etc etc.

You will not need these meds for the rest of your life IF you can see an end goal to aim for

That's a very rough answer, but please post again if you have anymore questions for me. I work as a Health Care Professional in the Mental Health Service

Sub