Ive been depressed on and off for years now, it reached a peak in January and ive just recently started to see a councillor. I hate it and it doesnt seem to be helping and i dont really want to continue with it. Its expensive and i dont think she gets whats wrong. Its been suggested i could take antidepressants but ive always been against the idea of that and i wouldnt know what would be too strong or what to ask for. im just stuck as to what to do or whats the best way to deal with this. Does anyone know of any other options or if anyone would reccomend sticking with it or trying taking drugs? I dont know how to decide whats best for me

I'm thinking of the best way to respond to this without saying the wrong thing...I have suffered depression years ago and I was seeing a counseller and I was on anti depressants also. For me, though, anti depressant drugs did not work, and counselling was useless.

Now, I am not saying that is the same in every case, because I am not. What works for one person may not work for another, and it seems that counselling isn't working for you.
First off, I would suggest perhaps seeing another counseller - do you like the one you have? A counseller is going to know a lot about your life and feelings, so they should be someone you feel at ease with. If you are uncomfortable with your current counseller, I would suggest looking for another one.
Anti depressants, well, not sure. It's worth a shot because you may find they will work. Be aware that they can take a month or two to take effect. You don't ask for them eithor, they will be prescribed to you by a doctor, and they will obly give you ammount they feel is needed, however the dosage may need to be upped if they fail to work.

What I found helpful was to write a diary. I hate talking about my feelings so I wrote everything down, and even (and this is really weird) started 'talking' (in my head) to the celeb posters on my walls. This sounds nuts, but I could talk about anything and everything, and I felt so much better afterwards. It's like talking to someone who cant judge you, and it just lifts that weight. I found that helpful and when I was better enough, I just stopped it because I didn't need to do it anymore. I am not saying you should do this but it did work for me.
Positive thinking helps too, loving yourself...when you are depressed you hate yourself, so start thinking happy thoughts, give yourself compliments everyday and make yourself feel good about yourself.

That's all I can think of at the moment, feel free to PM if you need to and I can talk with you a little more.

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You need to see another counselor. Some people are incredibly bad and just exist to really rack up your expenses while getting no where with you. Your current counselor sounds like she's only invested in your wallet. Stop seeing her and see someone else. You'll be able to tell whether or not you can get along/communicate with someone after a session or two. If you're not getting any where and you don't feel as though your needs are being met, or that the person is over-looking the problem, you need to switch to someone else.

See if you have a counselor at school or work that would recommend certain other places you could try. Usually, if you look around, you'll be able to find a therapist that can help you with something like depression, but don't let yourself be dragged through the mud on this. Take charge and find someone that works for you.

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Thank you for your replies.
I dont really know where to look or how to go about it and from what i know it can be pretty expensive and im on a fairly low income. im just looking on some websites now and it all seems really complicated. HOw would i know who would be a good councillor? and there doesnt seem to be alot in my area.
thank you again.

Thank you for the replies.
Im not really sure how to go about looking for a new councillor and from waht ive read it can be very expensive. Its just its taken so long to get to see someone in the first place i dont know how long i can wait having to do it all again.

There are some that are even free or very-low out of pocket costs counselors/therpaists. To start, I'd recommend making an appointment with your primary care physician, to see if they can recommend you to anyone within the field. Usually that's a good place to start, and that way you can explain your situation.

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In my opinion, if you don't feel right with the psychologist and the meds then don't continue it. Find someone whom you are comfortable with.. and who you trust. Being depressed is a very hard feeling to deal with and I think you just have to let it out. Learn how to talk to others without pretentions.

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I love music and music loves me.

Thank you for all the replies. My doctor is referring me but he siad it would take weeks maybe 6 and i dont know what im supposed to do in the meantime there isnt any like instant help available, and i feel like i really need it

Do you know anyone that you would feel comfortable telling about your situation? Or maybe any friend or family that you could just spend time with while your doctor is getting your referral processed? If you're really feeling scared, then surrounding yourself with people that love and care about you can be a good way to get your mind of things for the next couple of weeks.

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I'd like to add something to this:

Cazb and I have been speaking about this via PM's, and she told me something interesting today - that she has been given anti depressants, but her doctor told her not to take them, because they will give her suicidal thoughts.

Knowing what anti depressants are, I told her to take them, as they are meant to help with suicidal thoughts.

The question is though - why on earth would a doctor prescribe her something and warn her against taking it?

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Nothing about that makes sense. If her doctor didn't want her to take them, then he never should have prescribed them. I'd have questioned that, if I were her. If she's not supposed to take them, then why have them? They're not free, after all.

Honestly, there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants, so the kind of effects they have on an individual can really vary. Yes, they're supposed to alleviate depression and associated thoughts; however, there's really no guarantee that it will get better. But it just doesn't make sense that she'd be prescribed medication and then subsequently advised against taking it. I think she needs to talk to her doctor about why they were given to her if she's not supposed to have them.

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