I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a prozac today.

Question:
I run into depression about 3 to 4 times a year, every year since I was about 12 (I'm 16). I go to counselors, and all that other stuff. They've given me things like zoloft, and prozak and all that shit, but it just doesn't work for me. This was the year that I attempted suicide, I spent 2 days in the hospital. They were going to institutionalize me, but they didn't. Ever since then I've been in and out of the hospital for stupid nonscence, but after awhile I got over it. Everything seemed to get a lot better, but now, it's all coming back. I cut off a lot of people from my life, and quite actually completly ignored them, and now I'm stuck with the why's and what's. Now I'm trying to fix broken relationships, and hopefully repair all my "burnt bridges." Now, for the problem, or the thing I needed help with. I want to get my peers back, I want to go out and have fun, but the energy and the want is gone. Like, when I think about it I really want to do it, and I really want to figure it out, but when the time comes to do it I back out. I don't know why I can't just jump back into my old life. I guess I just need modivation, but I just don't know who to get it from. Maybe you can help.

He Says:
I wish I could give you some magic advice here that would be an instant cure for depression...but I don't. Trust me, I'd have used that shit years ago. Here's what I can tell you.

As far as medications go, you have to take the fact that everyone's body chemistry is different into consideration. I personally went through a variety, some with disastrous results, until I found the right combination that let me function with out breaking down on an hourly basis. If you already feel that it's not for you, then stick with that, but don't think it's pointless. Hell,right now I'm on three regular prescriptions and vicodin because my jaw hates me and I'm feeling preeeety good.

You say you've been in the hospital for stupid nonsense that you got over later on. The key here is this; when something happens to you and it upsets you, analyze it. Think about it from every angle. How it affects you now, how it will in the next day, week, months. When we're in the midst of depression/mania it's hard to see the big picture. It's all about slowing your mind down enough to realize it's nonsense before it goes too far.

Repairing those broken relationships is going to be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do, but I commend you for trying. These people have probably been burnt, seen you at your worst and fluctuate between that and happy too many times to count. So, now when you tell them you're ok, they won't believe you because it's the same old song. Explain to them that you're not better, completely, but you are working on it. Relapses are going to happen, it's inevitable. If they don't understand that, they're not the kind of solid foundation you need.

The hard truth is that you may never be able to jump back into your 'old life'. People grow, change and move on. This could be what's happening here. You can't force it, that'll make it worse. If you're not in the mood to go out, don't beat yourself up over it. Don't let anyone else do this either. The only thing I can really tell you is to take things at your own speed. There's no rush, in fact rushing could be what got you in this mess to begin with.

She Says:
Get your motivation from yourself and stop whining.

Speaking of medication, when your dog dies, you do not need Prozac or any other of the stupid highly advertised mind-altering drugs out there. I cannot believe that this started when you were twelve and no one thought to let you ride out your puberty sober. Hormones are crazy natural things that are meant to be dealt with. Your problem is you do not deal with them. You actually do nothing. I am supposed to give you some golden advice on how to stay motivated as if you will actually take it. You are sad. I am sad. Lets all just be sad together and listen to emo songs and have a read aloud suicide note story time. Seriously? Suck it.

You want your peers back. Let me ask you- what exactly do you do all day? Who do you interact with? Do you actually want to get your peers back? Or do you just want another thing in your life to whine about because you want to fit in with all the other medication carrying pubescents?

Get out! Walk everyday and stop feeding your face with Taco Bell and Ramen Noodles. Stop whining. Stop feeling oh so sorry for yourself and talking about your so called damned depression. I have found that the majority of depressed people I meet are also the most egocentric cheese brains. You have made me so upset that I have come up with the term “cheese brains.” That is most likely the most productive thing you have done this year. Good on ya, it is only June!

No offense to Davlin and Myself, but our little advice blog will not be your motivation. If you want to do something, you will do it. I do not want you to be depressed. I know that some people out there do suffer from chemical imbalances and medication may help. It should not be a first resort or ever prescribed to any one younger than 18, in my unprofessional opinion. If you have mild depression (which it seems you do, only having occurrences every so often) then get an intercoursin’ gym membership. Meet new people if you are scared to re-connect with your old ones. Get involved in something. A charity, a sport, a club- anything that does something good for someone other than yourself. At the very least, stop wasting your time looking for motivation outside yourself.

Maybe then, you will start improving (or at least start living) your life and your brain will become less cheddar-y.

Well, that's all for today. If you'd like us to help you out, or feel worse about yourself I'm not sure which, then put down the razorblade and drop us a line at disenchantedyouths@gmail.com