Just after some advice or suggestions. My girlfriend has been diagnosed with depression, and was referred to a professional & prescribed some drugs to help. However, she has since stopped taking the drugs, as she doesn't like the idea of artificially altering her mental state (she says it made her feel like a different person), and stopped attending sessions, as she didn't feel comfortable discussing herself with someone she didn't know of trust. Since this, she has been getting progressively worse.
So, i'm wondering what alternatives are available to drugs & one on one therapy; any suggestions are welcome! I know that an ex-girlfriend of mine went to a support group, which she says helped, so does anyone have any experience with those, or how to find them?
Any other suggestions are also more than welcome, i would just like to know the range of options available as i'm not at all familiar with what is out there.
im sorry you havent received a response quicker than mine but sometimes it takes a while for us to notice someone has posted and for people to reply!
Welcome to RYL.Firstly i think its so great that your girlfriend has you there caring for her.And it also shows what a good and caring person you are that you are trying to find out info and taking the time to talk to others to take advice as well so a major well done!
Secondly i am not going to be of major use unfortunately i think [though hope others may be more so] but i do have a couple of things to say.
Firstly i have attended a support group before and i found it very useful.It helped me to feel less alone and to meet people who understood.It also allowed me to hear the experiences of others and vice versa.The support group i went to was ran by a charity.
However i understand they can be run by many different sources or at least in the UK they are ie via charities, hospitals, professional workers, voluntary organisations, service user groups etc.And also as i am in the UK and note you are in Finland i do not know how you would go about finding groups in your area.i take it you have already tried on the internet as a start to find info?
i really hope you find something if you/your girlfriend think that it would be beneficial.It was certainly useful to me.However i realise that we are all different and it is not for everyone.
Also have you looked at Alternative Therapies ie i know that for me things like Aromatherapy have not helped to cure my Depression as such but have helped me with things like my Anxiety and Sleep.
Though really while i do not want to encourage you to pressurise your girlfriend to be honest it does sound like she really does need to be under the care of a doctor/medical professionals especially if she is getting worse.And perhaps she could go back to them [even with you going as support] to explain her concerns about taking medication/going to therapy and asking what else is available?Or perhaps even for her to communicate these things to her doctor via letter if this feels more comfortable for her.
i am just worried that her condition should still be monitored by a medical professional but i understand it can be hard if you dont want to go back.
Good luck and i hope you/your girlfriend feel free to talk to us more if you would like to and find it helpful.
Last edited by Sleepless123 : 16-12-2010 at 12:39 AM.
Reason: To add a bit
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
i guess its best to maintain the basics, and start from there.. sleep, eat, drink well everyday, take supplements like vitamin b complex, omega fish oil, vitamin c.. do abit of exercise everyday.. stay away from mood altering substances like caffeine and alcohol.. find constructive ways for her to express herself, like through art or a journal.. explore ways to help improve her self esteem and assertion.. all the little things really add up when it comes to depression.
Just a note, while i am in Helsinki, she is actually in the UK, so if you have any information on how to find any support groups for the UK that would be much appreciated!
I also think that she needs professional help, sadly i don't think i could talk her into it without being pushy. What is DBT & CBT, ive never heard of these?
I think the journal suggestion could also be good, thanks, i might see if i can get her to start one
I've had art therapy, music therapy, group therapy, CBT and individual therapy. I also had physical therapy as a way to get in contact with feelings thrugh your body and ergotherapy. I am in Denmark so I do not know whats available for your girlfriend but you can try looking into them with her and if anything sounds like something she wants to try, find out if it is offered in her area.
Den fuldkomne kærlighed,
Kan ikke eksistere blandt ufuldkomne
i only really tried one on one my self.
to scared to try a group scenario, but i know others who have found it helpful.
I also knowing i wasnt alone in suffering from depression helped a lot at the start.
it just me but i have found it can be useful to make a list of positive things people say about you to look at to remind you you mean something.
sorry for rambling x
well, in art therapy, you use art as a way to get in contact with feelings and start comunication. When I had it, we would have a certain amount of time to paint, draw etc. we would then talk about what we had created, how we felt while doing it, what it meant, why we had chosen to draw/paint the things we had etc. It is simply just another way to get in contact with and expressing your feelings, and in that way, be able to communicate them with your therapist.
Den fuldkomne kærlighed,
Kan ikke eksistere blandt ufuldkomne
