Depression - Please Help

Hello,

This is not diet related.  However, people are so friendly on CC and so helpful that I decided to post here to see if someone can help my identify my cousin's depression by the symptoms listed below.

I recently found out a cousin of mine is going through depression.  For the past 6 to 9 months she has hardly been sleeping.  Recently she lost her job because she is making too many errors at work.  She feels she cannot trust anyone and when strangers pass by her and say Hi my cousin gets very scared - wondering who sent her and why they are saying Hi to her...  She also feels that someone is following her every move and listening to her.  When her co-workers are talking in distance and laughing about something she feels they are talking about her and laughing at her.  She is constantly making up stories of things that never happened - But she believes they did.  She believes that someone wants to hurt her.

Until she lost her job the family was in denial that something is wrong with her but now they finally agree.  We will go get her checked out with a doctor.  In the meantime can someone please explain to me what kind of a depression does this sound like?  Is there anyway I can do to help her?  Is this curable? 

Any help/advice is appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your response.            

Dear Sam,

Its so kind of you to show such a kind sensitive side concerning your cousin, sounds like a visit to the doctors would benefit her a great deal, although I'm not a doctor its sounds like an anxiety type of depression and low self esteem issue? Usually one has to hit rock bottom before they will accept any help from friends and family or even the doctor, an illness like this can affect anybody for no reason at all however that  doesnt make it any easier.

Be there for her, listen, try not to say "I understand what you are going through"

In your question "will she get better" yes, in time

Let me know how you get on very interested to hear how things go

All the best

Denise x

I'm not a doctor but I did major in psychology in university for 3 yrs ... it sounds like something a lot more serious than depression - she could be a danger to herself and other people. Please take your cousin to a doctor as soon as possible as there are many medicines that can help her.

I am also not a doctor or qualified in any way, but I took a AP Psychology class last year and this sounds a little bit like Schitzophrenia (I might have spelled that wrong).  The paranoia is what is getting me concerned.  Schitzophrenics can be helped by medication... if it is just depression, then that can also be helped by medication... however I'm not sure about CURES...

Good luck.

Your description sounds more like schizophrenia. My boyfriend's cousin has it so I've dealt with it before. If she's willing to go, she should see a doctor.

Her suspiciousness, paranoia, and beliefs that others are talking about her sounds like she may be a little psychotic. Psychosis can happen with depression in certain people, most often with "manic depression" or bipolar disorder.  Schitzoaffective disorder is another possiblity, as is schizophrenia . All of these are TREATABLE, not necessarily curable. It sounds like she needs medical attention in the near future. Offer her a sympathetic ear, and if you ever believe she may hurt herself or someone else, get help immediately. If she is not willing to get help, or go to the ER, call 911. If she or someone else is at risk, they can force her to get evaluated, and treated if she needs it.

Definately wait until the doctor checks her out for an official diagnosis. It sounds like she has some paranoia, along with depressive symptoms and the best way to put a name to it is to be thoroughly examined by a mental health professional. It may depend on a lot of different factors, she may have Major Depression with psychotic features or perhaps a form of bipolar disorder, which can have symptoms of paranoia. Of course people think of schizophrenia when paranoia is mentioned, but there are many other disorders out there that have psychosis or paranoia as a symptom.

She will need her family's support and she is very lucky to have such a concerned cousin in you! I'm so glad to hear that she's willing to see a doctor. Medication these days are so wonderful and can help so much. As far as a cure goes, your family should definately talk to the doctor. I had depression issues, pretty severe, about 4 years ago and took several medications. I'm doing much better now and have been off medication for 2 years. But it wasn't easy and I'm very willing to talk to someone if my symptoms return.

Good luck! :)

I was diagnosed with bipolar manic depression, borderline Schizophrenia in the late 1980s.  I was so into my paranoia that I could not recognize reality.  I was convinced that my parents were "out to get me".  I did not know what was real.  It took a threat of having me determined incompetent for me to get help.  The threat of having my indepence taken away.  At first I only saw the doctors and theorpist as a way to keep the lawyer away.  But after a while, I realize that I did have a problem.  I was put on Lithium, Zoloft and Trazodone.  My brain chemistry was off.  By 2000, I was taken off the medicine.  It was as if the medication was "training" my brain on how to produce those chemical itself.

Be careful.

Let me begin by saying that I am not a doctor. I however do know a little bit about depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, and schizophrenia.  Unfortunatly I have relatives and friends with these conditions. Your cousin sounds like she has a classic case of paraniod schizophrenia. I suggest that you do not delay in getting her in to see a specialist. It is also critical that once she is put on medication (which will make her close to normal) that she is monitored by the family and close friends. It is likely that if she is left to her own care she will discontinue medication. Knowledge is your best tool in your part of helping her. Schizophrenia is also a progessive disease that "eats away" at the brain. There is no cure, only treatment. Hopefully her case is not progressive, but by the symptoms you have described it sounds like it is. Good luck, she will need your support.

Thank you all for your wonderful response.  I was in doubt that she is not well but after reading these replies I am certain she is sick.  Her family does not seem to realize the danger she is in - I think they are still partly in denial and only her brother realizes the real danger she is in.  Her brother and I will set up an appointment for her and will trick her into the Dr. office.  When we approach her to discuss the issue she tells us she if fine.  She does not believe she is sick. 

She is always normal when around family members but we have the same circle of friends and my friends have told me about her behaviour.  She has also shared stories with me but won't mention them in front of her family since she belives her home is bugged.  

I will post the analysis and progress on my journals.  Thank you once again for all your replies. 

I suffer exactly how your cousin is! I have been for years, I was diagnosed with Paranoid Personality Disorder. It is often confused with Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia paranoia is a bit different.

Man reading what you wrote is like reading about me to a T. Wow. Medication has not worked for me thus far. :/

I hope your friend gets help soon, I understand how she feels! I can't even leave my house, I truly feel sympathy for her.

ah nothing

Reminds me of the novel- "The stranger".  The main character beleives everyone is criticizing him for every single thing in which places him in positions that dont occur with different individuals.  He therefore opposes the ways of society as well as fabricated meaning .....Perhaps she is only finding herself outside of society?  I mean I agree with the main character since he escapes the realm of society and finds his own reality. 

***I know I might sound as if Im living in a novel but some novels really do relate to life situations at least most that Iam familiar of.

Oh, it sound like she might be having more problems then just depression. I suggest that she goes to a psychiatrist and get a diagnosis. Paranoia, anxiety, and delusions aren't classic symptoms of depression.

I am by no means a doctor, so I could be wrong, but it suspicoulsy sounds like mental disorder that is causing the depression. Urge her to see a doctor before it gets worse, either way

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