Hello I'm new here!

I just found this forum after doing some research on depression and the link to Depo Provera. I'm hoping to learn more about depression and hopefully see I'm not the only one feeling lost.

My name is Kym. I am 21 years old & in my second semester of nursing school .

In May 2013 I started feeling alone & lost. I would spend nights crying alone & wondering why I was alive. I did a good job hiding it from my friends & family. I dealt with it in secret until my spontaneous confession during an argument with a friend in August. Throughout the year I experienced my moments of sadness, loneliness, & anxiety. Back in January I went to the doctor because I was feeling depressed, lost my appetite as well as some weight, & had trouble sleeping. He said it could be mild depression. I was having monthly check ups with him, but now am going every three months. I have chosen to avoid medications & was unsure of counseling because I have a difficult time communicating my problems, especially to new people face to face.

I've recently started to wonder if the symptoms I have been feeling are just due to depression or because of my depo shot. I have already posted in the thread specific to the depo/depression, but thought it would be good to introduce myself & talk about my experiences.
The symptoms I know I can relate to the depo shot are the increased acne on my face and no periods. I'm unsure of the depression, appetite changes, insomnia, & shakiness in the hands.

I look forward to talking to you all!
-Kym

Hello .......

   Let me ask you one thing. If you thought you might have pneumonia, would you go see a doctor? Silly question - wasn't it?

   So ....... when you think you have depression, you should be going to a doctor. Actually, a talk psychologist! And .... you know .... there is one way to get better at communicating your problems. Actually doing it!

   Besides being extremely useful, if not necessary, as a future nurse - you will need to communicate effectively. And it does come in handy so well when in a relationship - close friend or more ... or even family!

   Meds, if properly used, are often essential. Some of the anti-depressant meds are very useful - and with minimal side effects - compared to other meds.

   There is no second-guessing by the patient ... of what meds might work. Leave those choices to a doctor.

Best of luck to you on your career.

Rob & Gizmo

 

HI Kym,

Welcome to the forum.

I understand you hesitanticy in seeing a therapist. I waited much too long. Once I did see one, within 2 sessions I was very comfortable.

If your school has a wellness center, you could check there and see if they have therapist or counselors. Many colleges do now.

It is very confidential and they do not share your information. I c journal and we use my journal a starting point for conversation if I can not get started myself.

Keep posting here, we listen and support the best we can.

Peace Trina

Thanks for the support and information. I know how silly it is for me to be a nursing student, but hesitant to talk to a doctor or therapist about help. I guess part of it is because I grew up in a Mexican culture where we wouldn't see the doctor unless it was a big emergency. I tend to encourage everyone around me to get help from a professional, but yet I don't follow that same advice.

I have been regularly seeing my doctor and have used the summer break to spend time thinking, enjoying friends and family, and exercising to improve my mood. I am feeling better than I was during the end of that stressful semester, but I know that I panic and cause myself to stress more than I need to. I am hoping to be able to open up more about my problems and to learn how to cope with everything going on in my life instead of thinking negative all the time.

Thank you all for listening and sharing your experiences. It's always good to know we are not alone.