How to get therapy?
 

Ok, this might seem a stupid question. But how do I go about setting up an appointment with the therapist at my University? I think I would feel a bit foolish just walking up and saying "Hi, i'm depressed. I have been for a long time. Can you help me?" (Of course, if that's what it takes, I guess I could say it.)

Strange Famous made a topic around end of September regarding his depression. I'm thinking that my case is more similar to bi-polar disorder (periods of happiness followed by periods of depression). However, it isn't so much that I get happy, it's more like i'm just not as depressed.

Any help would be appreciated and feel free to ask questions.

Look it up on your university's website. If you like, shoot me a PM with the name of your uni and I can find it for you. Make an appointment to talk with a therapist. You kinda just have to jump into it. You might also see if they have any seminars regarding depression that you could attend in order to "ease" yourself into it.

Also, I would recommend making an appointment with your GP to see if they have any recommendations.

Well there is a "Health and Wellness" centre at my University. Hopefully they have some pamphlets or something. I'll check it out when I got to school on Monday. If I can't find anything, i'll send you a pm. Thanks for the offer.

What's a GP? I'm a little lost on that term.

GP is an abbreviation for general practinioner, just your "standard" doctor where you go if you have the flu, to be immunized etc.

Well, I looked on my school's website and followed the student health link. They had an e-mail, phone number and said you can stop by the office to make an appointment. Ours is a health and wellness centre as well.

Your family doctor (or local clinic if you don't have one) will refer you. Last I knew, stuff like behavioural therapy and counselling are mostly OHIP covered.

Bipolar disorder is characterised by abnormal mood swings and moments of mania followed by depression. Rather than depression followed by not feeling quite so depressed, it would typically include phases where you're abnormally 'high' with lots of energy, jumping from thought to thought, feelings of euphoria or believing you can do anything.. it's usually more extreme than just swinging between depression and lesser stages of depression.

Anyway, don't be worried about setting up an appointment. They'll have seen everything and most universities have excellent facilities for counselling and therapy when students are an at-risk group for stress, depression and mental illness. The website should have a phone number, and all you need to say is something about "I'd like to make an appointment to see a therapist/counsellor please" and it's very unlikely they'll ask you anything else right then. Lots of students will phone up or drop in all the time so you don't need to feel foolish asking to see someone when they know you're there to make an appointment anyway.

If possible, I would like to do this through my school. Hopefully, it will be free/affordable.

Thanks to all who have replied :)