Antidepressants and counseling?

[LoveMe_HateMe]

I've been thinking about going to the doctors about my possible depression, but I'm worried that I'll have to go onto meds and then become reliant on them. Which I don't want...

Anyone got some info about them? Like if they actually do help, how it feels to be on them, like if it feels like your 'happiness' is fake or if it's real.

And I'm worried that the doctors will send me to a therapist. Do they actually help or make you feel worse? I went to see the college counselor but it didn't help, so I stopped going. And one of my friends went to see one and it made her feel worse...

I'm just lost at what to do? Do I go to the doctors and try and get this sorted and potentially get put on meds and therapy, or just leave it?

[Blessthefall]

Therapists help if they listen to you and let you get stuff off your chest, like what may be causing you to feel the way you do. Most are all about getting you in there, helping you in a way they see fit, and getting you out which is the wrong way to do it. THose are the ones that make people worse because they focus on the problem itself, they don't let you give insight without trying to correct you, etc. They do put people on meds, but meds aren't harmful unless you have side effects. The thing is, if they might put you on meds, you have to be completely honest about everything. If you're put on the wrong med, it won't work, and it may reverse the effects. It's kind of a tricky situation, but honestly, it's better to try to get help than try to face it alone. If you face this problem without some kind of support, you will lnot improve.

[LoveMe_HateMe]

I am betting support, just not professional support... I guess I'm just scared of finding out what's really wrong...

[Blessthefall]

Don't be afraid. If you are, then it definitely won't help. Trust me.

[LoveMe_HateMe]

I'm always either scared or worry the worst of situations, I can't help it.

I want to get help (I think). Well I do, so I can start feeling 'normal' again, but I don't because if I go get it sorted it will become more real... if the even makes sense.

:/

[Blessthefall]

It needs to be real to be faced though. If you pretend it's not there, you'll enter a stage of denial, and you'll never get over a problem if you believe one doesn't exist.

[Gigablue]

I have been taking antidepressants for about a year, and they have worked very well for me. They don't create false happiness, but just relieve the symptoms of depression. There are some side effects, but, for me, they went away after the first week. It also takes a few weeks for them to take full effect. As for reliance on them, I get some side effects if I forget a dose, but they are mild. I'm probably going to stop taking them in a few months, since my depression is gone.