cry for help

heavenly14313 · Apr 20, 2008

I had to get treated for my depression the semester before I entered nursing school and they don't know anything about it (nor should they!). I don't see where it would be any of their business, especially if you are being treated. You were saying you had to go to a dr to get an eval... well, i would just go to a different dr for my depression. I went to my family dr for my eval and my ob/gyn for my depression. Hang in there and if you want to talk one on one pm me!

aprilsrain · Apr 20, 2008

I know of two senior nursing students who have been treated for depression this semester. Who knows how many more are currently taking prescribed meds-or the question should be: How many us NEED to. I questioned this with my PCP and she stated that as long as I wasn't dangering my life or anyone else, there is nothing to worry about. She even stated that if everybody would take a "little happy pill" (her words exactly), the world may not be such a terrible place. I know that two of my instructors know that I am currently on Paxil and they have no probs. with it. You take Amoxycillin or Zithromax for strep, right? If you had cancer, you would have radiation and chemo if it were prescribed, right? Depression is an illness and I believe that you shouldn't have any reason for concerns. Good luck!!!

zilla704 · Apr 21, 2008

I don't think depression is the same as mentally unstable or unfit. Lots of people experience depression, especially in light of a stressful situation. Nursing school is anything but relaxing and it's absolutely normal to experience depression while juggling nursing school and a home life. Take care of you, you won't regret it. They won't hold depression against you

Jules A, MSN · Apr 21, 2008

Definitely get help and I do understand your concern about someone finding out, even though it should never happen. I'd consider going to a different Doctor than the one that signed your school physical but thats just me. Best of luck and please get help before it becomes unbearable and your school work suffers. Hugs, Jules

sunny261 · Apr 21, 2008

With the load that you are carrying who wouldn't be tired and cranky? Many, many, many nurses are on anti-depressants. You have a lot on your plate right now. Nothing wrong with asking for help. Your Doc should know this

tachybradyRN · Apr 21, 2008

I don't know that they could refuse you.. but I think you should be honest with your doctor about your depression. Maybe you could see a counselor? I've had to have some psychologic counseling myself d/t my stress/stuff I've gone through while being in the program (I lost my brother a few years ago and a good friend/fellow nursing student this year) and it's helped immeasurably. Just my :twocents: .

NurseJeanB · Apr 21, 2008

kxvc,

Know that you are not alone. The stress and pressure of nursing school is so intense. You know that can lead to depression, and depression is a medical dx. Please be kind to yourself, and go seek help. At times I struggle to keep a positive demeanor. Especially when I have multiple tests, I am stressing over clinicals, and I have papers to write. I start mentally beating myself up. "I am so stupid".. "I am terrible at writing".

"It takes me so long"...

Don't drag yourself down. You are smart enough to realize that you might be depressed, and there is treatment for it. To get through nursing school you have to take care of your health and well being.

MySimplePlan · Apr 21, 2008

Lotssssssssssss of people in my nursing class are on anti-depressants. One of their doctors told a friend he sees a lot of nursing students for meds - they're all stressed out!

If you were near-sighted, you wouldn't go to school without your glasses, would you? Then you shouldn't be expected to fulfill your obligations when you need something to make your learning less challenging. And you don't have to tell anyone, either. It's no one's bidness!

2bNurse Elizabeth · Apr 21, 2008

You should definitely seek treatment. Being depressed doesn't mean you're not mentally capable of doing the schooling or the job. You might also want to rule out other physical causes like hypothyroidism. I have a good friend who experienced the symptoms of depression that you're describing, and her thyroid wasn't functioning well. With treatment for that, the depression disappeared.

Take care of YOU!

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Apr 21, 2008

Your treatment for depression is none of the school's business. You might be surprised how many nurses on the floor take an anti-depressant, or anti-anxiety, or even anti-psychotic meds. The last floor nursing job I had, about 70% of the nurses that I knew of, (and who knows how many just kept silent during the discussion) were on something. Including me. If I didn't have my "happy pills" (anti-depresssant) I would be a depressed, brooding, sleep-all-day, find-a- hole-and-pull-it-in-after-me, complete nutcase. However, with my "happy pills", I am able to function completely, my mind is clearer and I am much less likely to rip someone's head off for just breathing in my direction!!!!

See your doc, get some treatment, and feel better, and you will be amazed you much you can DO better!!!!

futurecnm · Apr 21, 2008

I am afraid to tell my doctor I am depressed because I fear it will affect my being in the nursing program. We had to have an evaluation done by our doc where he/she signed that we were mentally and physically capable of being in the program. No, I am not experiencing SI or HI. I just sleep a lot...and I mean a lot. I also get sick often. I'm not happy like I used to be. I'm snappy and pessimisstic much of the time, especially towards my loved ones. The last time I was feeling like this was over 5 years ago while working in a stressful job. I went on medications for a couple months. I didn't need them after I found a new job, and have been doing great since.
The stress of home, work (full-time), and school (full-time) are eating me up. I have a wonderful home life, a great job with awesome supervisors who work around my schedule, and school is school the instructors are for the most part wonderful. It is just a lot of responsibility to balance, and I cannot cut back in any way. I fear it will begin to affect my performance if I don't do something. I want help, but I am afraid to ask for it because I have worked so hard to get where I am at. I know I want to be a nurse, and I will do whatever it takes to get there. This road would just be easier with a little help.
My question is: can they kick me out of school if I seek treatment?
This doesn't seem fair or right to me that they could.

No, they can't! Why would you have to tell them? You are not harming patients?? I know many in my class are on Antidepressants and I know someone who just recently started Wellbutrin and she is in my class, graduating in May. Why would you think it would get your kicked out???