Dear questioner,
I'm so excited to answer your question!
I'm Liu, a listening therapist, and I'm here to help!
A big, warm hug for you!
First, it's important to remember that after being diagnosed with depression in a professional hospital, one will experience a "low ebb." This is just a small bump in the road!
The great news is that psychological problems can be treated just as effectively as physical problems! All you need is a professional assessment and timely intervention. Follow your doctor's advice and cooperate with the treatment, and at the same time, get involved in psychological counseling. This can prevent the problem from continuing to worsen and even cause some physical and mental disabilities.
And we also experience pain and worry!
For example, in the case of a physical illness, a person who has always felt unwell and is worried that they have a serious physical illness goes to the hospital for a check-up and receives a diagnosis. At that stage, not everyone will feel relieved when they hear the news. But, if the treatment for this illness requires surgery, etc., and the risk of treatment for this illness is very high, even if the doctor has given a treatment plan at present, there is still hope!
Fear is still ever-present, but we can conquer it!
We are excited to see how our family members will react when they find out, and we are eager to see how we can adapt to the treatment plan. We are ready to face the risk to life if there is no cure head on!
Psychological problems and physical problems share common emotions, but I believe that the diagnosis of a psychological problem will have a greater impact on us because the course of scientific development is different. The experience we have had since childhood is that, at least, the path of getting sick (physically) – going to the hospital for a diagnosis – and then going for treatment is relatively clear. Although it will be accompanied by fear, worry, and anxiety, most people will choose to face it, and they will be rewarded with a positive outcome!
And you really are making it difficult!
We've already been through so much before the diagnosis. We've had to face the impact of the symptoms in all aspects, and we've had to overcome our fear that the depression will be aggravated due to the emotional low caused by the diagnosis result. At the same time, we've had the chance to consider the feelings of our family members.
Because there is still a taboo surrounding mental illness, people are afraid of being labeled, the side effects of medication, and the resulting changes in appearance, which will only make them feel even more down. So just accepting and admitting that you have depression itself can be very energy-consuming. But there is hope!
Second, we have the amazing opportunity to re-understand our situation and look at our fears. This is also a healing process!
Let's ditch the idea that you should hide your illness and avoid treatment!
It always makes me feel a thousand regrets and sadness, but it also makes me feel hopeful!
This is probably the situation of some friends with psychological problems, but there's no need to worry!
Because of this taboo, we may choose to bear it all on our own. But when the burden reaches a certain limit, we can reach out for help!
It's a big decision, but an exciting one!
It's only natural that we're a little cautious and hesitant at first, but we'll get there!
You've done a great job! Depression can be affected by various events and strengthened by various negative feelings, but you've worked hard and you're doing well. The process of our psychological healing may not only begin with a diagnosis, but also include the moment we feel our various psychological changes.
3. Based on your situation, I would love to offer the following suggestions, which are just my personal opinions and may have limitations. They are for your reference only:
(1) Before going to the doctor, it's a great idea to give ourselves a little time to psychologically prepare and build up!
A diagnostic assessment is a great way to gain a better understanding of our true situation. It helps us avoid making things worse and prevents the problem from affecting our physical and mental health. It's a win-win!
But before that, we need to be aware of our own stress and fears. We also need to gain some understanding and strength. The good news is that you can try to have one or two counseling sessions to release your emotions. At the same time, you can also talk about your concerns with a professional psychological practitioner, or try to communicate with someone you trust if you have someone around you.
You are not alone!
When we are mentally prepared, we can face assessment and diagnosis with confidence and courage!
(2) Our care of the self and concern for self-health are very reasonable needs. I understand this worry for family members, but let's not carry too much!
In this regard, it's so important to recognize that thinking about seeking treatment for any illness is an expression of caring for oneself. The psychological burden on family members, or the fear that family members will be burdened, may also involve some of the issues and root causes behind depressive tendencies.
If we are in a constant state of guilt and unworthiness, we have the power to change it! By embracing self-acceptance, we can feel happy and fulfilled.
Dear friends,
You are living for yourself, and that is a wonderful thing! As you gradually move away from your family of origin, you will have the opportunity to make many choices independently. We always feel that we owe love a million times over, and if you are already feeling bad, the first thing you can do is give yourself more understanding.
(3) It is very important to use medication scientifically and to coordinate it with multidirectional physical and mental regulation, which is a great way to alleviate the side effects of the medication!
First of all, it's important to be aware of the assessment results.
It's so important to get a second opinion when it comes to medication! There are so many great options out there, and it's always a good idea to explore them. If you can, try to visit a few different hospitals or institutions. That way, you'll have a better understanding of the different treatment plans and medication options available to you. Once you've done that, you can make an informed decision!
The great news is that a psychological assessment is also recommended along with a physical examination!
Our body indicators are our best friends! Even if medication is required, it is so important to refer to various body indicators. You can ask the attending physician. Knowing your own body condition also facilitates targeted conditioning in the later stages, which is so exciting!
This is also a great way to minimize the impact of side effects!
And finally, drugs do affect our secretion and may also bring about certain changes in body shape. But don't worry! There will be an adaptation period, but the effect is to adjust our emotional state. So we should also prepare ourselves mentally in advance. During the treatment process, we should try to maintain a regular life, eat nutritious meals, and exercise moderately as much as possible. This will help us to recover better and promote metabolism, and our body shape will gradually return!
And finally, even after medication is prescribed, regular psychological counseling is highly recommended. It's a great way to adjust our cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns with the help of a counselor.
The two complement each other perfectly, and the effect is bound to be amazing!
Please don't hide your illness for fear of criticism. You've got this!
I absolutely believe that everything is going to be just fine!
That's all I have to say on the matter!
Thank you so much for reading!
I'm a listening therapist at Yixinli, and I'm here to help!
Please, feel free to talk to me!
Comments
I can totally understand your concerns. Learning about a diagnosis of depression might feel overwhelming and it's natural to worry about how it affects relationships and your body with medication. It's important to talk about these fears with your doctor to find the best approach that feels right for you.
Receiving a professional diagnosis can indeed stir up many emotions, including concern about the impact on loved ones and oneself. However, it can also be a step towards understanding and addressing the condition. Medication effects vary from person to person, and discussing your worries with a healthcare provider can help tailor a treatment plan that minimizes unwanted side effects.
It's really tough to face a diagnosis like depression and to worry about adding more strain on family or changing physically from meds. But remember, there are lots of ways to manage depression beyond just drugs, and opening up to a therapist can offer support without those side effects.