I was diagnosed with depression at a very young age, and now that I am 18 I can decide whether or not I want to take my medication or receive treatment. The thing is, my father and pretty much his whole side of the family have this thing where they withhold love, affection, or support to those they perceive as "mentally ill".
It’s because of my mother, she’s got bipolar disorder and "freaks out" sometimes, and they think all "crazy" people behave like that. Once, I was staying with my father’s family when I was 14 and they actually took away my depression meds. Then they got upset with me when I started crying for no reason a couple of days later.
Should I just ignore the crap they say and take my medicine anyway? I’d really like to feel better and stop being depressed, but I don’t want anyone to think I am crazy.

Okay, now listen up please. I’m not going to insult you or attack your beliefs. I’m also not going to say that your religion is wrong as I’m Jewish, so I can see where religious beliefs fit in to the equation and would, thus, ask you that you refrain from telling me that I don’t get it.

So, here’s the deal: There has been, and I imagine will continue to be, a great number of boys and girls of various ages who post questions on this board about masturbating. They want to know if it’s okay to do it, because clearly society continues to keep them in the dark about it, or if anything to present negative aspects about it. It’s quite common for boys to joke about it, or to insult their peers by claiming that they do it (as though it’s something to be ashamed of). They come up with insults like "jack off" or "wanker" or "go f*** yourself" or other masturbation derivatives, to make the concept of it something bad or wrong.

And for girls, well…it’s just not done. Some girls seem to be unaware that they even can do it. And if they find themselves doing it, they are labeled as "sluts" or "whores" or "nymphos".

Parents and religions teach these kids that it is wrong to do it, and that it’s a sin. And if they do it, they are going to hell. Many boys still believe that it will make their penis fall off, that they will run out of sperm, that they will go blind or get really sick. Many boys who feel that masturbating makes them gay. Many girls believe that if they masturbate, they are no longer virgins and/or that no guy would want them.

Society is poisoning our children against it, and so many come here to ask their peers for advice, information, and to clear up misconceptions. And then you guys come along and spout off about how they are wrong to do it, that it’s a sin, that they are going to go to hell. You tell them to just go and find a gf/bf, when many of them are 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and have no business dating or having actual sex.

Look, some of these kids come here because they are scared, unsure or want answers that their school and parents aren’t giving them. And your fear tactics and religious quotations are not helping them. Please keep your bible thumping for the church and stop scaring kids away. It’s fine if you want to believe these things, but these kids are probably hearing it enough already and don’t need it from here.

In conclusion, masturbation is fine, normal and healthy for boys and girls of all ages and marital statuses to do. And don’t let anybody tell you different!
Also, while I’m on the subject, I’d like to say to all the boys who come on this site…

Your penis size is normal; stop worrying.

I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety 4 years ago, when I was 12 years old. Back then, the depression was the prominent problem in my life. I had suicidal thoughts and such, but the only ‘medication’ I did for it was go to a therapist. Now, I have horribly bad anxiety. I get scared about doing anything which involves me leaving my house: going to school, going to the mall, eating out at restaurants, etc.
It’s a lot harder than you think to worry about EVERYTHING you do. I’ve been dealing with it for around a year now, but I’m not sure how much more I can take of this. What medication is the safest/best for a teenager of my age? My mom is worried about the side effects and the addiction of them, but I feel like I have no choice at this point but to get medication. Which would you guys suggest for me? Please and thanks for your input :).
If you can tell me of your own experience with the medication you suggest, that would be very helpful :)

is it 18 or 21, I know its 18 but my parents want to in this day in age control my doctor visits lol can someone verify that, thank you lol

*I think I’ll need anti-depressants on that visit, does it change anything, seeing a specialist and all

Im 17, And recently been getting deppressed alot recently, I’ve hurd about Tablets to get rid of deppression. I dont think i have any other options, I cant Fix things, I dont have anyone to talk too.. So im thinking about getting Some of these tablets. I would just like to Know if they actualy do work tho? And if there is a certain Brand to get that works best? How much they cost? Where to get them from? Do i need A letter from a Doctor or anything to allow me to buy them? Can i buy them at the age of 17? And do they have any Side effects?

I’m 16 years old and I’ve been diagnosed with depression since the age of thirteen. I am currently on three 20mg pills (60mg total) of Prozac, and my psychiatrist does not recommend putting me on a higher dose without switching medications, which is something I do not want to do. I also take 30mg of martazapine; a mood stabilizer and sleeping pill.

I’ve been on birth control (tri-cylen) for the past two months, and I have noticed that my depressed state comes and goes very often, especially around 9pm and later. Is birth control affecting my medications? Should I overlook the problem, try switching to a different birth control pill, ask my psychiatrist to to increase my Prozac, or try taking an extra Prozac?

Have any of you had a similar experience? What should I do, and how long will this last?

I’ve been depressed for more than a year now, and it just seems to get worse and worse. I have extreme social anxiety, and because of that I can never do projects that are oral in school so that makes my grades fail. To get rid of pain, I get high almost everyday, especially when I have school so I don’t have to deal with it. I feel really worthless, and nothing ever helps anymore.

I was just wondering if it’s safe to take any medication at my age and will it actually help. I just want to be happy and love myself again. I’m tired of faking it.

(sorry for sounding so "emo")

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im 20 years old, and I have been on zoloft for 7 years(since age 13). I have been having terrible side effects, and have felt severly emotionally numb for the last 1-2 years. I discussed withdrawaling with my doctor. She recommended going from 100mg down to 75. I cut the dosage down 4 weeks ago.

im still having withdrawals, and my mind is VERY foggy. I have a hard time finding words, and recalling events. My mind is terrible, and there is constant ringing in my ears, and wierd physically feeling with my brain.

What surprised me is how little doctors know about withdrawal. It my belief that I can may develop Post Acute withdrawal syndrome(Paw). My mind in the last couple of year is not what it used to be, and now is seemingly worse.

doctors often dismiss withdrawal difficulties as the underlying problem comming back, but I am sure that this is NOT the case.

How do I convince my doctor to help me. Im SO afraid that my mind will not go back to normal.

I want to live life to the fullest, have a family, good job, and be able to think clearly, but that is less likely if my mind is disabled.

PAW rarely occurs, but I have seen evidence from where I tapered down in the past and my mind has not really came back.

What do I do?

There is little reasearch on the long term saftey of the drug.

there are so many symptoms of this withdrawal that I can List them all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Acute_…

Finding words, and really bad memory are the worst of the symptoms, but I also have a tough time comprehening audible words.

im aslo wondering if i have develvoped P.A.N.E.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_Adverse_Neurological_Effects_following_SSRI_discontinuation

I have a four year old daughter and since about the age of 1 (or a bit younger) she constantly has a bad cough and wheezy chest. it keeps her up some nights and when she is running around she gets out of breath. sometimes when she has a cough she will get a runny nose and ear ache. i have taken her to the doctors on many occasions but they keep putting her on anti biotics. they gave her two inhalers about a year ago but stopped using them as they didnt seem to make the slightest difference