View Full Version : Finally giving in. I need help.
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:08 PM
Hi, this is my first post here. I'm a 33 year old guy and I'm an introvert, you could probably even call me a hermit because I don't go out with people much. I've been dealing with depression and dismal self confidence for so long now. I tried committing suicide a few months ago. I'm taking the meds Wellbutrin and Lexapro, but I've tried just about everything throughout my life. These seem to help better than the other ones but not enough. I searched online and found this site. I'm not sure if I need to see a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or someone else. Need advice.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:15 PM
First, where are you located (generally)?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:17 PM
Near Minneapolis, MN.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:19 PM
Your doctor is prescribed the meds? Has he suggested a counselor? Twice a week sessions would be a good thing right now.
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:22 PM
Yeah my family doctor prescribed them. I haven't asked him about a counselor yet because I thought I would be OK without one.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:24 PM
Do you have a (full-time) job and health insurance?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:26 PM
Yes to both. My mom is a psychotherapist but her advice has never been helpful, which is probably why I haven't wanted to talk to another therapist for so long.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:28 PM
Just out of curiosity, what do you do at your job? How long have you been there?
(Sorry for all the questions, but I need some background info to help in the best way.)
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:32 PM
I do computer tech support over the phone. I've been there about 5 years.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:33 PM
Do you like it?
asompur
Aug 17, 2012, 07:36 PM
Hey, I've been dealing with the same issue. I had a lot of depression for things I'd rather not mention on here. I found a way to vent my depression and make me a bit happier. I began to write poetry. The depression slowly goes away with every poem I write. Try and find a way to vent your depression and turn it into happiness.
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:36 PM
Sometimes, but I don't think I could do it forever. I like to figure out how to fix things and the gratitude I get but I also don't like dealing with people.
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:38 PM
Asompur, thanks for the tip but I don't think I'd be good at that. Too many mental blocks. I wish I did have a good way to vent it though.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:41 PM
My husband made a career out of computers and electronics -- is an introvert and loner, his glass is always mostly empty, but he can fix anything, so he worked for years for AT&T as an installer for long-distance service in phone offices.
You just have to find your niche, your place to shine.
Have the meds been helping the depression?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:45 PM
Wondergirl, your husband really sounds like myself. In terms of a career, my problem is that I don't know what else I want to do besides general tech support. Can't get very far with that, you need to specialize in something.
I've had a lot of problems that made me who I am today. I was going to type it here but it'd probably take you 10 minutes to read it it all.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:47 PM
Give me a short version.
Any college?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:53 PM
Went to a university for 1 year from 97-98. Dropped out because college just wasn't for me and I thought I could make a lot of money in computer networking which didn't require a degree. That didn't pan out too well.
Short version? I was picked on by a lot of people in school from 5th to 10th grade, and I'm really sensitive. Starting showing clinical depression in high school. My mom and half sister both have it. Been on various meds since then. Also, I haven't had any real relationships with anyone. I was in a long distance relationship with someone who I met online during my senior high school year. She had her own issues and never felt ready to meet me in person. I was in that for many years.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 07:55 PM
My husband got through only a year of college too. (Are you his long-lost twin?)
He was picked on in school too. Why were you?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 07:58 PM
I think I just got picked on because I was sensitive and didn't fight back or retort.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 08:00 PM
And quiet and shy.
Did you have any friends in high school?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 08:03 PM
Yeah that too. Also I couldn't play sports well like the popular people because I had asthma and was born with partial blindness (almost no peripheral vision).
I had a small group of friends in high school (part of the stoner crowd I guess you could say).
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 08:09 PM
Are you able to find a counselor on your own? A master's level would be perfectly fine. Telephone interviews with several will allow you some distance, but give you a feel for how you connect with him or her. And once, maybe twice a week to start?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 08:13 PM
I think I can find one. Should I be asking my family doctor for a referral or just find one myself?
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 08:17 PM
If you trust your doctor to have good information about counselors, certainly ask him and call those he suggests in order to check them out. Even call a few you have located.
I didn't mean to cut you off with explaining your situation.
I want to stick with this, so please stay in touch with me (us). Others will probably chime in to this thread over time.
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 08:19 PM
I will stay in touch. Thanks for the help!
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 08:22 PM
Now, you have an assignment. :) Any questions? Anything you need right now to get started? You ready for this?
Dalamar
Aug 17, 2012, 08:26 PM
Yep I am ready. Do you think it'd make a difference if I talk to a male or female counselor? I'll just Google search the counselors nearby and give them a call.
Wondergirl
Aug 17, 2012, 08:31 PM
Get names of both. I always thought I would like males for me in a counselor/coach role, but totally connected with a female life coach during a phone interview. We worked together for three months to get me out of a writing slump. (After that, I got four books written and published for a Calif. Small press.) Later. I found out I was her first client. We're now Facebook friends.
I'm a psychotherapist/counselor and retired librarian and "live on" this site, so be sure to let me know how your search is going.