[snuggz]

okay you know what... mebe im wrong.. i juss read thru some of the other's posts more closesly this time... im gettin a little more scared over here... this is rough stuff to digest in ed's head right now.... i don't know if everyone here is the typical girl that goes thru depression but from what it sounds like the results are devastating and not somethign i would want you to go thru..... can you guys give any examples of ppl who HAVE made it on their own or without meds / professional help? i bet that'd be pretty hard..... so yah babe... we'll talk about this in person later?
*s*ed's sorry for being so uncaring.....
i love you....
snuggz

[ellis]

Hi again, Neiko

Your boyfriend loves you a lot, and I'm so glad he's willing to listen.
Snuggz, you're a pretty cool guy... there are a lot of men out there unwilling to bend. I'm glad you're not one of them.

A lot of people don't listen. I had good friends who, when I told them I was on meds for life said, "Oh, how awful! Poor you!"
POOR ME!?!? Lucky me! Lucky me because I don't have to die. Lucky me because I can love my family and not cause them any harm.

I know what you're saying about addictions to certain meds, etc.
Mental health issues are still in the experimental stage. We know virtually nothing about the human brain. I have a sister-in-law who thinks there's no such thing as mental illness. (hey, she's gotta be sicker than me. ) I'm taking something called Fluoxetine. Yes, it's a Prozac. Prozac doesn't have to be a dirty word. From what I've read, it's one of the most effective Prozacs to date. I've been fortunate... no side effects, and for the most part it works like a charm. I still have a few down times, but for the most part, life is good.

No, Snuggz... I don't know anyone who's made it on their own without meds/professional help. Sure, some people have issues that can be worked out... people who have been abused in some way, who have emotional issues, etc. But a lot of us simply have a chemical imbalance. It's something physically wrong with us. You know... like my mom has high blood pressure, and she has to take meds for the rest of her life to lower it. My best friend has a thyroid problem, and has to take meds for the rest of her life. It doesn't mean something won't go wrong with those meds. We may have to change them at some point. But those meds are keeping us alive! Isn't that wonderful?!

I think you have to change your idea of how you're thinking about mental illness. "Sick" is not a dirty word. It's okay. We're not nuts.

Snuggz, when I was 21, my boyfriend; my dearest friend and love, committed suicide. I'd give anything to have known then what I know now. I would have made him get help so fast...
But it's too late. Don't let it be too late for you.

we love you .... Ellis

[ldyliz]

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. I think your friends and family are minimizing your problem because they are scared and do not know how to respond or help you. Neiko, I urge you to persevere. You know you need some help and have been very brave to reach out to people. If you haven't been mentally ill or lived with someone who is, most people think it is a matter of will. It is not.
Depression comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it goes away withour meds, sometimes it needs meds. I have to take them intermittantly, but my mother takes them every day. My brother resisted until he was 51 and now is kicking himself for spending most of his life miserable!

Everyone is unique. You hop on in to a counsellor or your family doctor and see what they say.
We are here for you.
I am sending you good thoughts!

[Goomba]

Nieko & Snuggz
Well, I do know one kid that made it through all of the cutting and drug addicitons .. I'm a foster parent for teenagers so I see alot of crap. Anywho .. she is now 22, married and still struggles with some of the emotional issues we all face. Only difference is that she has found God .. yes I said it .. God. Now I am not one to push religion .. but in finding God .. or a higher power, she also found a HUGE support group of people in her church. I am happy for her .. she is doing well and she is not cutting or doing any drugs or alcohol.

You will always battle with issues and a professional counsellor will teach you other ways of coping with them. The idea of snapping the rubber band when you get the urge to cut is an excellent one!!! I had a kid ages ago who use to carve sayings into her arms .. like "Love Hurts" she had been molested by her father and use to only cut the one arm. I had her use a pen to write on her arm instead of cutting .. and it worked well until she was ready to stop carving.

Snuggz, you can go to counselling with Nieko too. You sound scared but very supportive. Medication isnt always forever .. but it can help get over the hump and help. The counselling is important .. and key to success.

Take Care
Laura

[Leenie]

Goomba, thats beautiful that she found the Lord. I too was very lost and until I found Jesus I was a walking zombie. I've been extremely depressed for over 4 years now and I've finally (a few weeks ago) went to my doctor for help, she put me on Zoloft and so far so good. With Jesus and my Doctor's help....how can I go wrong ?

THERE IS NO SHAME IN GETTING HELP !!!!!

HUGGS AND KISSES TO YOU ALL

LOVE, Leens