Does a stay in a Mental Health facility for serious depression really help?--or make you feel more depressed?
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The reason you go to a residential facility is so that the trained staff can observe you and see how mood swings and energy levels relate.  It is hard to get the type of constant attention you need at home, so do speak to your professional advisor to see if this would benefit you.  Most people who suffer from depression experience dreadful tiredness and cannot get up in the mornings.  This leads to feelings of guilt which increases your depression.  Although it is not quick, with the right advice and help, you can look forward to a better life.  Yours may just be a minor thing, but even if not, don't be embarrassed or guilty, speak with people you trust and let them help you :)
872906
Absolutely yes.  Depression responds very well to correct treatment.  This may or may not include medication.  \n\nCorrect treatment is cognitive behavioral done by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.  A Licensed Clinical Psychologist is someone with a PhD in Clinical Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology who has taken your state's licensure exam and now has the right to use this legally protected term.  These (and only these) are the people qualified to do therapy.  Most others who are definitely not qualified, use various unprotected terms like therapist or psychotherapist.  These people can't help you and may make you worse out of sheer ignorance.  Go to the correct professional to get treated.  They will use treatments proven through experimental research to help people like you (with a high efficacy rate I might add).  Medication should be managed by a Psychiatrist (not a primary care doctor). A Psychiatrist is an MD who specializes in the treatment of mental illness, mostly through medication.  Treatment with these types of medications require alot of specialized knowledge in order to be done correctly.  Although a primary care MD (ie your family doctor) is well within his scope to treat you with these, he really doesn't have the training or experience to do this effectively.  If you have serious depression like you would if you experience anhedonia, you really need the help of both a Psychiatrist and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.  The two together can help you.
976955
I have had depression for many years and have tried many things.  The counsellor is very important and necessary.  As far as medications go, it takes a while to find one that will work for you. If you are not suicidal, I would try other means of treatment if you do not want to take medications.\n\nI have had good results from accupuncture and vitamins.  Unfortunately neither are covered by my medical plan.  \n\nIf you go see a naturopath, they might be able to help you find some vitamins and other supplements that would help.\n\nExercise is also very important as it releases natural endorphins, and helps burn off stress.  Try to get your heart rate up for half an hour at least three times a week.  \n\nTry avoiding chemicals in the food you eat, as this can throw off your brain chemistty.\n\nTry not to sit at home and watch TV a lot.  Get out and do things because this will help take your mind off things.\n\nIf you don't go to church, try to find one...studies show that people with religious beliefs tend to be happier than those without them.\n\nAlso, do you live in a northern climate, or a place where it rains a lot.  I live in Vancouver, BC, and it rains most of the winter here.  My depression is worse in the winter because of the lack of sunlight.  If the lack of sunlight is a factor for you, get yourself a SAD light (SAD = seasonal effective disorder).  If you do buy one, make sure that the light that comes out of it is white.  Many products say that they are a SAD light, but they have an orange light.  In order for the product to work, if has to be a full-spectrum light, which is white.\n\nOkay, I hope I have been some help.  I wish you luck.
996578
It can lead to hemorrage (sp) and other problems, but if it's monitored, it's really not that bad......or mine wasn't, I don't think.  They stay kinda loopy for a year or so, off and on.  I bled a lot, and had some pretty serious depression for several months, off & on.  I would advise anyone looking to quit the dope "cold turkey" to find a 6 month inpatient program, if not a year-long one.  It's HARD to stay off when it's become such a.........well, around here it becomes a way of life.  It's hard to turn your back on the only thing you know.
213607
Personally, I do think that. Some doctors advise depressed patients to excercise rather than prescribe anti-depressants, and sometimes anti-depressants don't even work and can have bad side effects and make you feel worse! If you are depressed you should learn to find happiness and resolve in yourself, not from a drug. If you trust a drug to bring you happiness then will you trust it to reach your own potential or trust yourself?
245103
There is a lot of help available for depression.  Depending on your condition, a doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medication that can correct potential chemical imbalances that can cause depression.  Therapy sessions with a psychiatrist, psycholgist or other counselor can help you come to terms with how and why you feel the way you do.  There are also a wide variety of support groups and "help lines" that can provide both encouragement and (usually) free advice.\n\nInvestigate the possibilites in your community, and talk to someone about how you feel.  It's the only way to start feeling more like yourself again.
1054723
I spent like 3 months in grmany for doing an internship , i was feeling the same thing that you may be feeling . Kind of Lonely/depressed/confused.Discombobulated is the word if i may say. Actually this decision is for you to make.Are there other people from your country there ? Do you really like them ? do some introspection.Remember ,your mental health is more important than economic well being. Because ,if you do not ,things may go out of hand too.For me , I just cut short my trip & came back.
60171
Depends on a lot.  Not all of us are the same, not all of our problems or solutions are the same.  In my opinion there is no shame in going to get help if you need it.  No different than going to an M.D. for a medical illness.  On the other hand many seek self treatment, or other forms of support, and that is ok too, it it is effective for them.  Above all a depressed person should not buy into the idea that they are "wrong" or "different".  I have battled depression in my life, I think everyone has.  I have faced it in many different ways.  If you are seeing a psychiatrist already, I urge you to discuss this question and the answers you get, before taking action.  One thing I know for certain is that depression can be dangerous and even deadly.
209174
Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the situation. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime: \nSet realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility. \nBreak large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.\nTry to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.\nParticipate in activities that may make you feel better.\nMild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help. \nExpect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time. \nIt is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition--change jobs, get married or divorced--discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation. \nPeople rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day by day.\nRemember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.\nLet your family and friends help you. \n\nSelf help for depression\n\nEffective therapy needs to incorporate everything that works in lifting depression. You may be able to help yourself effectively, although often it is useful to get the help of a professional.\n\nHere we'll go through what you can do, as well as what you should look for in any therapy you choose to undergo.\nWhat you can do to help yourself\n\n1) Know about your condition - what you know about your depression has been shown to have an effect on well you respond to treatment. Take the Depression Learning Path - it's the best way to start helping yourself.\n\n2) Cut down on rumination. Do whatever you can to decrease the amount of rumination you are doing. (Ruminating is 'chewing over' emotional issues in your mind without coming to any decision to act.)\n\nIf possible, decide to put off difficult decisions for 1 or 2 weeks while you get your energy back.\n\nWays to cut down rumination are to:\n\na) Stop yourself when you spot yourself doing 'all or nothing' thinking. (See thinking styles)\nb) Read novels when you have nothing to do, to occupy your mind. (Make them exciting novels, not romance or self help books!)\nc) Do exercise (see 5)\nd) Work if you can\ne) Keep yourself occupied as much as possible in ways that stop you thinking too much!\n\n3) Find ways to assess and monitor your depressive episodes - The way depression makes us adopt all or nothing thinking is a unique and crucial part of understanding depression. The way depression makes us generate seemingly hopeless outcomes to our situation can make it almost impossible to see a way out of it. \n\nFinding ways to gauge your depression can help to show the shades of gray, that will ultimately defeat the black and white thinking on which depression thrives. This is often done in the form of a diary, where you grade how bad your days have been on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. Then, after 2 weeks or so, you can look back and see how things have varied over that time. \n\n4) Lower your emotional arousal levels calming down emotions such as anxiety and anger helps your brain function more subtly and decreases the amount of catastrophising you do. Along with getting proper rest, being able to relax is incredibly important.\n\nRelaxation therapies are effective in overcoming some of the other issues that can co-occur with depression. The effects of panic attacks, anxiety and anger, etc can be lessened and overcome with the ability to relax properly and deeply. Physi
712318
Please listen very carefully? Dial the info line, 211 , that's the number, 211. They can put you in touch with someone who will not be insensitive. I have used this number on many occasions also for suicidal thoughts. The person called me back with-in 20 minutes and talked me down. I am thankful for the info line and the way they run it. I too battle depression and I know it's probably going to be with me for the rest of my life BUT I also know that there Are people out there that can and have helped. The operator will ask you the nature of the call and then you tell him/her that you need to speak to a psychologist about your depression, she will ask you what area you live in so that this person will be close to you. It really helped and I felt much better. If you think you need to be in the hospital, she can call ahead to let them know you are coming, again they are here to listen and direct you to whatever you need. Don't give up and I am really sorry you are going through this, I really am. Please dial 211 or your local hospital and they will help you! Be Safe.
507870
I don't suffer from it, I live with it. There's a big difference. I live in WV and we have a wonderful organization called the WV Mental Health Consumers' Association. It's an organization started by a few people who had tried other ways of dealing with mental illness and found the available treatments lacking. Now they have people who have been there, done that and now have found alternative ways to cope with mental health issues. Peer counseling, support groups and wellness groups and classes have all been life savers for me. I now volunteer for the organization. There is also a program we do called WRAP- Wellness Recovery Action Plans. It helps each person learn the skills to develop an action plan that helps reduce or eliminate symptoms and plan ways to maintain wellness or at least have a say over how you are taken care of when you are sick. For more info visit their website at www.wvmhca.org. You may find some valuable info there that could work for you.
469886
First I would advise against referring this friend to mental heath care unless you believe him/her to be seriously suicidal (even then, pray about it first). From first-hand experience, I can say that doctors, no matter how well meaning, rarely can make things better, especially if they are not christian. Mental hospitals can keep patients alive, but they can't make the root problem better. Only God can do that.\n\nSecond, as someone else said, advice is not usually welcome in someone depressed, so think carefully before you speak. I can't give you any specific help except don't give general advice (for example, suggest he/she take a fifteen minute walk each morning and evening, rather than the more general, "be more active").\n\nFinally, instead of specific verses, I would suggest reading with her/him everyday if he/she will allow it. What may not strike you may be the exact key that they need. The King James Version (this is not evident in any other version) also has a soothing property in its sound arrangement which scientists have found helps to calm distress.\n\nIf he she is suicidal, I would suggest this section in which Paul describes feeling the same way:\n2 Corinthians 1:3-10, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;\nWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.\nFor as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.\nAnd whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\nAnd our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.\nFor we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:\nBut we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:\nWho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"\n\nGod bless you and help your friend.
710858
I'm 24 and been diagnosed with depression, waiting to see a psychiatrist pretty sure I have some kind of anxiety problem too. I didn't realise that they go together well before I went.\n\nIf you want a chat I'm here as I hardly get out much lol
242660
If you feel depressed, that is a sign that you should consult someone.\n\n\nIf you are depressed at the moment some of the following symptoms may sound familiar: \n(taken from http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/Depression_Information/symptoms.htm )\n\nYou feel miserable and sad.\nYou feel exhausted a lot of the time with no energy .\nYou feel as if even the smallest tasks are sometimes impossible.\nYou seldom enjoy the things that you used to enjoy-you may be off sex or food or may 'comfort eat' to excess.\nYou feel very anxious sometimes. \nYou don't want to see people or are scared to be left alone. Social activity may feel hard or impossible.\nYou find it difficult to think clearly.\nYou feel like a failure and/or feel guilty a lot of the time.\nYou feel a burden to others.\nYou sometimes feel that life isn't worth living. \nYou can see no future. There is a loss of hope. You feel all you've ever done is make mistakes and that's all that you ever will do.\nYou feel irritable or angry more than usual.\nYou feel you have no confidence.\nYou spend a lot of time thinking about what has gone wrong, what will go wrong or what is wrong about yourself as a person. You may also feel guilty sometimes about being critical of others (or even thinking critically about them).\nYou feel that life is unfair.\nYou have difficulty sleeping or wake up very early in the morning and can't sleep again. You seem to dream all night long and sometimes have disturbing dreams.\nYou feel that life has/is 'passing you by.'\nYou may have physical aches and pains which appear to have no physical cause, such as back pain.\n\n\nThere is a depression quiz at this address:\nhttp://psychcentral.com/depquiz.htm
263022
I feel your pain.  I hate to sound like everybody else, but suicide does not solve anything.  I am not a therapist, I am simply a guy that knows exactly what you are going through.  I have been dealing with a severe case of depression for a coupple of months now.  I also have had some pretty dark thoughts about how things would be if I was no longer around.  I know you said you don't want to see a theripist.  That is exactly the same way I used to feel.  I at one time felt very alone in this  world.  I thought the entire world was hell-bent of making my life harder than everybody elses.  I would see happy people out and about and it made me want to throw up!  All I wanted was to just have one day where I did not feel any pain, physically or mentally.  I was not wanting to be the richest most popular person in the world, I just wanted to be happy... I did not think that was too much to want out of life.  One day I found myself sitting in my car looking for a good place to put an end to my suffering.  For some strange reason, I just drove home.  The next day I woke up and made an appointment with a theripist to try to get some help.  I have been seeing her for a few months now, and I am feeling pretty good.  I also was perscribed Zoloft.  I used to be against just "masking" symptoms with Meds, but I really do have to say the Zoloft really does seem to smooth out the bumps of everyday life.  \nBack to you... I know you feel all alone in your depression, just know it effects many more people than you would think.  It really does help to talk about what you are feeling with someone you feel comfortable with.  You say you are not afraid of death... I used to say the same thing, I used to think I had already lived "enough" life.  That is untill My best friend from college died a few weeks ago.  We were both the same age, It hit me like a ton of bricks... I have not lived a full life yet.  There are so many things I have yet to experience... I realized I was not ready to end things.  Sure I still get "down" from time to time, but the therapy has taught me to work through things, and not to always put emphisis on the negitive of every situation.  It may sound like a line of pure crap... But Positive Thinking really does work!  You are in controll of your life... try to look for the light at the end of every tunnel.... I assure you, things can get better, but you need to be willing to let those changes happen.  \nI hope I helped you out.  If you ever want to chat to somebody that has been in the same situation you are in, you can always e-mail me jam961@yahoo.com  Sometimes it is easier to open up to a sympathetic ear.  I wish you the best of luck!  I really hope you start to feel better.  Just remember, you are never alone, you have all of us here on Yahoo Answers to talk to.
748526
If he has depression and suicidal thoughts....he is mentally ill. Do you want to spend the rest of your life taking care of him as he progressively gets worse?
604660
You should go. Hey they aren't like the movies-someone already said that, but I feel I should say it as well. I have been in several different psych wards. The feeling is safe and secure, the food is good. If you are going to go on medication or do adjustments to them-it is way better to do it while on the psych floor because of side effects. You meet some very cool people there. You also get the real help you need. There's usually plenty to do. Straight-jackets have been outlawed so don't worry about that nonsense. Even if there is a padded room-the only time you would go in it is if you asked because you wanted to do some cartwheels for excersize. (I did that once and had a blast. The nurse came in and hung out with me while I practiced my tumbling. We laughed and talked.) They are not bad scary places. TRUST ME! Just be honest with all the docs and nurses there. Know your rights and concentrate on getting yourself well. Good luck to you! I hope you feel better soon!