Would a therapist really help me? I am skeptical.

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I "suffer" from Asperger's, ADHD, severe depression with suicidal ideation. My family is very concerned about me, and I really want them to be at peace of mind. While I haven't had a suicide attempt in a year, my depression will leave me looking grim and angry. The only way my family will not worry about me is if I go to therapy.

Will it really assist with my social anxiety, ADHD, and depression? I doubt talking to someone about it will help me, and I don't believe their words will get through to me. However, I am open minded and will at least try it before dismissing the idea entirely.

I have 9 months until I go to the U.S. Army. I doubt it will do me any justice, but at this time, I will take any help I can get.

Therapists are like everyone else, there's good ones, awesome ones, and awful ones.
There is no real answer to your question, but then again what else are you going to do? Might as well keep trying therapists til you click with one.

There were two instances when I had a therapist - during drug rehab and after I was released from a psych hospital for a suicide attempt.

Honestly, I don't think they helped me. I thought their suburban, normal lifestyle couldn't understand a messed up, complicated immigrant like me.

It depends on the therapist and on the method used. Some therapists and methods work better with certain people than others.

Below are a few lists of therapists. The last is from one of my websites.

Diagnostic Sources and Therapists

Autism Source

Find a Therapist from Psychology Today

Database of Therapists

a particular type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to help depression and social phobia. you might search for a therapist that offers CBT.

If you suffer from severe depression and suicidal ideation, you need to let military know.

Someone said to me once that therapy should be mandatory!! !! - I think so too but then I'm lucky to have a good one.

BE prepared to try again if the first one doesn't work out.

good luck

With all due respect nominalist, I would never tell the military that. I am not even telling them any of my conditions as my doctor has agreed to withold my records, if MEPS were to go into them.

I am one-hundred percent more mentally stable than I was a year ago.

Why are you going into the military if you have suicidal thoughts?

If someone told you that they had suicidal thoughts, and planned to enter the military, what would you say?

I'm giving it a shot again, and I'm feeling a little hopeful so far. I actually like this new one, and I know I can "click" with him for a better term. This is after my share of duds, so give it a try.

Meeting my cognitive therapist was my perfect match. Its been two years now and finally someone to explain things to. It was the best thing to happen for a long time.! !!

I do not think that the military and mental issues are a good combination either.
Is this your choice to gain training?
Are you going in as a grunt?

I would suggest using therapy as a means for getting OUT of the military before you have some real problems.

I know it sounds absolutely crazy to go into the military with such problems. But over the past year I feel as if I have become mentally stable and I have been able to get a grip over myself.

I am also not going to inform the recruiter or MEPS about any of my conditions, that would lead to an instant DQ for enlistment. Nominalist, I am pretty sure you understand that no military on earth would recruit anyone with said conditions, even if they could prove they have a handle on them. I also understand what you mean.

Here is my logic on why I am fit to join military service. I am able to do my duty as well as the next man, I am physically and mentally able to get through BCT and AIT, and I believe my services will serve our country well. My MOS is 27D which is a Paralegal Specialist. Law is what I know best, and I believe it will help with my career and with the JAG Corps (military law).

I should of made it clear from the initial post that I have a grip of most of my conditions. It is just the depression that really gets me. I won't go off and do something regretful though.

Try therapy, what have you got to lose? If you don't like it or feel that there is any point then don't continue.

If you did find therapy beneficial, assuming you find a good therapist immediately, 9 months is not a long time in which to expect to see a big turn around.

If you are likely to be posted at home rather than abroad then I assume you would be able to continue with off base visits?

I+ would say being in the Military helps against depression, I had a great time and still have a friend from back in the 70s.
I only left when I matured enough to realisie wars wernt really about good guys defending against bad guys, but rich people getting poor people to kill each other, and I wanted no part in that.
Depression was then a good way to get an honorable discharge.