I Have Recently Been Diagnosed With Depression And I

I’m 18, and I’ve recently been diagnosed with depression. I’ve been very embarrassed about the diagnosis lately. How do I deal with it?

This is going to sound super cliché, but know that you aren’t alone in this. I’ve been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Genderalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder for about four years now, and I was recently diagnosed with C-PTSD to top it all off. For those keeping score, that’s a whopping six diagnoses.With even one mental illness diagnosis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you see the way people with mental illnesses look in movies and tv shows.But you know who you are. It’s the same person you’ve always been. And your diagnosis is nothing more than a tool you can use to understand yourself better and get better medical care.For me, the care I needed was an antidepressant, a take-as-needed anxiety pill, therapy, and some breathing techniques to help manage my panic attacks. Any of those or all kinds of other things might help you.Now that you know you have depression, you can also read things that other people with depression have written about things they experience or things that help them. You can use their knowledge to understand yourself even better and to help yourself live more fully.Don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking that your diagnosis is shameful, or that it defines you. Would you be ashamed of a broken arm? Would you define yourself by your high blood pressure?

Recently diagnosed with depression. I have been on Lexapro 5mg. I have been having better moments, how long before I get 100% better?

The goal of treatment should always be remission from depression which basically means the ability to function as if one doesn’t have depression. If you recall how you felt before your bouts of depression started, that is where you want to be again. It takes up-to 6 weeks for medications to take full effect. However, 5mg is a low dose and if within a month you are not where you want to be, it’s time to discuss a dosage increase with your doctor.Hope that helps!Key LifeKey is your inspiration wallet: Index

How can I help my 12-year-old sister who was recently diagnosed with depression?

How are your parents dealing with it? My parents are the typical traditional people who don't like to believe that children can endure stress and suffer from depression, especially if it's their own kids. They don't wanna bear the social stigma.If I were still 12 year old growing up with mental problems, I would love to have some people at least one person in my household, who shows the same interest in progressing with mental illness as me. Someone who would regularly ‘challenge’ me and my progress.Hug her, or let her hug you, and ask how is she feeling. Tell her, “I'm not gonna judge you if you cry for no reason right now.”She either would laugh or actually cry with happiness in your arms. But most importantly her condition hopefully will improve.