If like me you decided one day to search for relevant information on how having depression will affect your life and its choices and was disappointed well then this is the article for you. While in college I had to research the topic for an assignment and being a sufferer thought I'd kill two birds with one stone. Instead I found a jumble of irrelevant information, none of it telling me what I as a student and employee and person needed to know. After sifting through a great deal of information I managed to get some of the details but decided that for the next searcher I'd try and make it little easier. So here it is the some of my accumulated wisdom. I don't know your reasons for searching Maybe some questions you want to ask but don't know how but whatever the reason I hope you find it helpful.
Do you need to inform your employer about having depression?
Legally no, there is no obligation on your part to do this, unless specifically asked during the interview or on the application form. However you should think very carefully about whether or not to include this as some employers can be understanding ( I have yet to meet one…Loll) and could offer help
Do you need to inform college/university when applying? And how will it affect your acceptance?
Again this is a personal choice but in this instance it may be better to inform them. A lot of places offer counseling and other relevant support. At my college this even extended to changing my exam rooms, giving me extra time on exams and waiving fees for resist. Obviously this can prove very helpful and filling in extenuating circumstances forms is always a good idea. However if your subject choice is specifically one with a high application rate I'd think carefully. Although legally you cannot be discriminated against due to a disability, and depression is a disability, there are always those decisions made behind closed doors to be weary of.
What's more effective medication or therapy?
A difficult question with no definite answer, generally a combination of both can prove very effective. Although therapy can be expensive unless you get it on the NHS which often means a long waiting list and sporadic visits.
What types of therapy are there?
There are three main areas of therapy. There is Cognitive Behavioral therapy, a process favored by the NHS because it's relatively cheap and quick. It involves a variety of tasks to do in the form of homework. Although it didn't work for me it has reported high success rate. There is also psychoanalytic therapy which usually involves a minimum of two years and is less directive the C.B.T. The other therapy favored is the person centred approach which is usually the more favored approach in educational setting. I did this for two years and found it quite helpful.
How do I approach my G.P about getting treatment?
Approaching your Doctor about getting help can be difficult. Usually the best idea is to go with an idea of the type of treatment you want. I remember once demanding a particular type of medication, not that I'm suggesting you do that but it helps if you go in with a definite idea o what you want. Medication may not be right for you and therapy may prove a better option but unless you push for help, very often you could be left to suffer in silence.
Should I stay on medication?
After being on medication for awhile, things may seem completely different and you may begin to wonder whether remaining on medication is a good idea. Firstly your doctor may have definitive plans on this but if the option is left in your hands as it is in mine. It's important to remember there are both positive and negative affect due to prolonged usage of medication that you should discuss with your doctor before making any kind of decision.
