What Is Going to Happen to Me if I Do Have ADD/DEPRESSION/ANXIETY?

Question by : what is going to happen to me if i do have ADD/DEPRESSION/ANXIETY?
my mother and brother have adult deficit disorder , depression, and anxiety. since i was 15 (now 26) i have noticed a big change in the way i think, feel, and act. i refuse to believe that i may also have ADD, depression and anxiety. but i do. :( i have researched the symptoms and have took the tests, i have talked with people who have it and i have all 3 including mania. before whenever i would hear people talk about how having these things effects their lives i always saaid that its all in their heads and that all that medication is just a bunch of crap.but a few years ago i came to the realization that i may have this so i told myself that its all in my head and that i can over come it all by myself with no medication. well its not working and i knowi am getting worse. for those of you who have these know if affects your life, relationships, kids , work, etc. i cant take it anymore and i just want to think and feel normal again like when i was 15.i am ready to give up this self battle and just go to hospital and get on the drugs but i am scared what it s going to be like. will these “perscriptions” really make things better? or worse? how will people feel about me knowing that i will be taking “crazy medication”? how do these medications make you feel? what kind of state of mind will they put me in? please someone that has already been threw this answer me . i fear my son may also have these traits. should i get him help or just not tell him anything?

Best answer:

Answer by Medic48
Hello there,

First off, its best not to read to much into what the symptoms are or what online tests say. To be honest, when you are in a panic you may to manifest symptoms that may not already be there.

It is best to get an accurate assessment and if present something is present a diagnosis and treatment options available too you. Not all cases Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorder requires medications.

It is also good to note that a lot of disorders can seem like something else, however when there is a familial history of mental illness (including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders) there is a higher likelihood of you having one or more of these disorders.

As for treatment options, there are many that may or may not include prescription medications. There are options such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. There is also Single, Family, Group and Couple therapy available. These therapies are all talk therapies and the only medication you may require is an if needed medication.

There a plenty of medications out there which will be different depending on the diagnosis. Most psychotropic medications take 4-6 weeks to get into the “therapeutic range” and will start to elevate your mood (in depression) or stabilize your mood (in bipolar) or calm and stabilize your mood (in ADHD). This is generally a “trial-and-error” to see what the best medication or different medications work best and what is the best dosage. It’s best to be honest with your psychiatrist with regards to moods so that alterations to the medication regime can be made.

There is still a bit of a stereotype from the general public when it comes to mental illness and you may opt to just not tell anybody that you are suffering from a mental illness. Mental Illness however, is just like a physical illness, in which processes breakdown or are functioning abnormally. Medications and Talk Therapy works just like Medications and Physiotherapy for an injury. Also, mental illness (just like a physical illness), is located in your confidential medical file and you do not need to tell anyone about the illness. Employers cannot ask you to disclose your medical history, nor can they ask your doctor.

Good Luck,

Answer by Dr Chaz Psychologist-coach
Priscilla,

I am a psychologist-coach with expertise in ADHD.

Medications have different effects on people but can generally help. First off you might want to talk to you doctor and ask for his/her opinion. Also, there is nothing wrong with being on the medication and you should not be worried or concerned with that.

For information on what you can do or symptoms follow the links below.

Dr. Chaz

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