I've asked questions before on this subject, so sorry to go on.
Basically, I'd just really appreciate advice from others on here. Would mean a lot.
I think I'm quite a positive guy but I can't deny I've been rather down for quite some time and it's not just like being upset. I saw a councillor over the summer who said he felt I was depressed. Things have happened but right now I just feel so majorly stressed. I mean of course I'm not stressed and deeply down 24 hours a day but I just feel as though my head and thoughts are constantly racing and I'm not functioning or thinking right at all.
I'm in my second year of University. I had similar problems with Uni last year but got through it. I really don't want to through everything away and drop it, especially seeing as I'll only have about a year and a half left after Christmas, but I honestly feel like I can't cope with it right now. I just feel as though I cannot focus at all and can barely face going. I won't go on, but I'm really unsure of what to do. I've spoken to doctors at Uni last year but I feel quite embarassed to speak to them again.
Certain family members of mine have been into clinics before for kind of similar things and I think it'd be horrible for them if I did as well, though I really went to get back to normal. People have been commenting on me seeming different, even when I'm trying to act myself.
I have sleeping troubles and am pretty much dependant on sleeping pills now as well, which probably doesn't help the mind. Sorry if I'm whining as I don't want to. But would just appreciate advice on how to deal with University and this?
Thanks very much.
Verified answer
As someone who has experienced pretty much exactly the same thing, I have this advice:
- See a doctor again
- See a counsellor again
- Contact your university's mental health advisor, if there is one
- Alert your tutor, course co-ordinator or similar of your problems (you can ask any or all of the people above to provide evidence for you, or even to do all of the necessary talking/writing, if you don't feel up to it)
- Contact Student Services (the counsellor and/or mental health advisor will probably recommend and help you do this) and ask them about ways that the university can help you through this
The more official people know about your depression, the more they can do to help. They have to be confidential about it, and they're not allowed to tell anyone you don't want to know, or gossip about it in the staffroom or anything like that. If they don't know you're depressed then they don't know that you're struggling. If they do know, then they can be more understanding about attendance, offer coursework extensions, etc. - just generally release the pressure a bit.
In addition to that:
- Try to eat reasonably sensibly, and exercise too, but don't pressure yourself to do so, because depression does make it incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to do these things
- Don't be afraid to intercalate - to take the rest of the academic year off and re-take it next year - if you feel it's the right thing to do for you. However, remember that if you do nothing about your depression in the time you have off, you will face exactly the same problems when you get back. Depression rarely just goes away - you need help.
- Don't worry about hurting your family. Seriously. Yes, they might be upset if they find our you're being treated for depression, but they'd be much more upset if they find out months or years down the line that you suffered in silence for fear of worrying them, and they'd be even more upset if, God forbid, you attempted or committed suicide. You have depression. That is a fact, and it can't be ignored or wished away. If you were, for example, diabetic, then your family would be worried and concerned to hear about it - but that wouldn't mean that you shouldn't see a doctor or receive treatment - in fact, it'd be irresponsible not to, and it could have serious consequences for your health. It's the same thing.
I'll be honest here; I haven't done all of these things. Like you, I'm stuck in fear and worry and I'm suffering for it. But the fact I haven't done it doesn't change the fact that I know it's what needs to be done. I hope you're stronger and wiser than me.
Send me a message if you want to talk about this.
First of all, mental issues are often genetic. If you are thinking that you may have one, you should see a professional.
Second, for goodness sake, finish the semester! If you want to take a semester off to get some help, then that's fine. However, do NOT undo all of the work that you have already done this semester.
Third, you do not have to go to the school doctor if you do not feel comfortable. However, do not be embarrassed. They are not allowed to talk about you to anyone, by law. They are there to help you, and you are not going to tell them a story that they have not already heard. Believe me, in a few years they will not remember you. However, you should see somebody. If it has to be the school doctors, use them until you can pay for your own.
Finally, do not be against trying medication. It is often helpful for people, and does not have to be permanent unless your doctor says so. If you need medication, take it! You cannot just feel better and stop!
sorry that you are feeling low and also having problems with sleep, two things I can relate to but I never resorted to prescription drugs to help me.
I went to a doctor that said I had a chemical imbalance / clinical depression and wanted to put me on anti depressants. I am a great believer in natural things so I ended up taking st john's wort and this really did help lift me out of those blues, low periods. Speak to your doctor to see if the herb is ok to take whilst you are on sleeping pills, St John's wort takes a few weeks to kick in but they are natural and do help you get through the lows and cope with life.
As for sleeping I would really try not to become dependent on these pills, there are herbal alternatives and won't make you dependent or harm your body.
I suspect the sleeping problems are due to the depression so hopefully when you have dealt with that the sleeping will get better.
Talking about things really does help - good friends are priceless. Don't be afraid to speak about how you are feeling.
Sometimes life can seem daunting and we feel we can't deal with certain issues. Don't feel bad about feeling this way, but talk to someone and don't ever think you are whinning.
All I can say that university isn't for everyone. I've struggled in my 1st year and 2nd year before finally dropping out. In my 1st year, I've only went for few weeks before I started to skip some lessons then it wasn't long before where I just decided to stay in my flat, do nothing but surf on the net and party nearly every night. I thought it was because of the course I picked so I changed to different course. My 2nd year was actually better but I've lasted few months before I went back to '1st year mood.' In the end, I've found out it's simply because I just can't cope with the university thing and as soon as I left, I did actually feel alot better and think that I much rather get a job than a degree. You don't HAVE to get one, right?
So like I said, its not for everyone.
at the start, you may proceed chatting with docs or counselors with reference to the challenge you're dealing with. melancholy isn't something which you will in basic terms %. your self out of, and professional counseling or drugs would practice to be helpful. searching for help isn't something to sense embarrassment approximately, and is a ways extra helpful than allowing your melancholy to take over your existence. No reason to be embarrassed to work out the Uni docs returned, and you may ascertain they comprehend how long this has been happening, and that despite help to procure final time wasn't sufficient. people do take breaks from Uni for a number of motives, including scientific. it would desire to be worth pondering a a million semester wreck from training. perchance there's a job or internship you may desire to do for the time of that factor?
hi, first i want to say everyone has given really good answers already so i'm not gunna repeat them, but i also have depression but i'm inn college and feel EXACTLY the same, i really do think you should go back to the doctors, also i was given this useful website by my college counciller
www.studentdepression.org/
its actually for people in uni, so i hope this helps
good luck