MEAD

Hey there, I got a problem I think I'm depressed. I just came off a really good senior year in highschool, finally things were going my way. I had great friends and got into a relationship with a girl I really love. Then at the end of the summer I got sick with Mono and then had leave it all to go to college, well me and my girl are still working this out long distance. It just gradually became harder and harder to be here(at school), I go through phases of feeling very anxious, feeling a sense of doom, fearing things for no reason. And then I get scared of falling back into that feeling again which makes me just dwell on it more than I should. Strangest part is that at times I've also been extremely happy too, my moods seem to be all over the place with no discretion at all. Im going to have a discussion about this all with my parents when I get home in a few days, it might be genetic, my sister is on anti-depressents. I just want to feel safe, like myself again.

Meier_Link

If you are experiencing depression it's being caused by outside sources, not occuring all by itself. I would not recommend getting on meds for that sort of thing. You just need time to adjust to your new surroundings.

mr sticky

MEAD, everything that you are currently going through is a stress producer. You've moved, you've changed your relationship with your SO, you broke ties with your friends. You have every possible stressor available, save losing a loved one.

It's really okay to be "moody" or exasperated when this stuff happens. True depression is anhedonia, the inability to be happy. This doesn't sound like you. This is a temporary issue, I think, so temporarily be a little funky, then re-establish your world.

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superiorrain

I agree, to me it doesn't sound long term just sounds like one of those times when you get stuck in a hole and can't seem to find away out. Time is a good healer and as soone as you become more confortable in your surroundings the happier you'll be. For one thing try and keep away from the anti-depressents because once you go on it's often hard to find your way off them.

Remain positive and adjust yourself to your new surroundings and it will all work itself out. Going home might help you straighten your thoughts out and see the positives (especially the freedom of living under your own rules).

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andrewtayloruk

I suffer teribbly from depression, it hits me like a wave, the best way to describe it is feeling really low, and empty, really sad like I want to cry, but can't.

I don't want to talk, I just want to sit by myself. Nothing anyone does or says will make a difference, I love my girlfriend very much, but even she can't help me when I'm down. It can sometimes last a week, although usually just a day or two.

It's so hard, it brings on feelings of panic and anxiety, if you were to look at my life, I have nothing to be depressed about, I'm healthy (apart from the depression), I've been with my girlfriend for 8 years and we have a rock solid relationship, we found each other young (18) so we've got the rest of our lives together to look forward to. We both have good incomes, I have good relationships with my parents, I have a good job, nice home and two nice cars. It doesn't matter, depression isn't about been angry or upset or fed-up, it's something deep down that only people who suffer know about.

I've accepted my depression and have refused medical treatment, I know that when I'm not depressed my life is good, so I just use that thought to make it through the painful times.

If you want my suggestion, read about it, learn about your own depression, learn what triggers it and see it for what it is, an un-happy time. I have to keep away from people I love when I'm down, I don't want to impact on their lives.

I have noticed the food I eat has a massive impact on my feelings, I haven't been depressed in weeks, ever since I stopped eating at McDonalds, it's too soon to tell, but a lot of people will say depression is a chemical imbalance.

Good luck, also, it's easier to talk to people who have been depressed, it's a lot harder finding someone who will talk to a stranger about depression, I have a colleague who talks to me, depression affected his life for a very long time.

Andrew

raeanna74

You also said that you had suffered from Mono. An illness can affect your mood a great deal. Even though you're over the symptoms of Mono it's likely that your body is still trying to heal. I suffered from some major depression even to the point of considerin suicide when I was in college the first semester. Part of it was all the stresses and changes and the negative relationship I had with a new boyfriend. What gave me a leg up on getting over it was just simply visiting my regular Dr. He checked my Thyroid and Iron levels. He discovered that I was anemic (almost to the point of needing to be hospitalized for it) and he put me on suppliments. He gave me iodine and Iron suppliments and told me to eat better. Since I was in college I hadn't been eating as much meat or dark green vegetables. I also hadn't been getting enough sleep.

Try working on your health and maybe take a daily multivitamin. My Dr prescribes that for me as I'm chronically anemic since. Make sure you are eating right. Get some exercise, and make sure you get around 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Try not to go much over that or much under. You may find that your mood stabilizes at least somewhat if your body is strong, fed, and rested. Then do something good for yourself - you deserve it - you've gone through a lot and you need time for yourself to do what you REALLY enjoy.

Good Luck.

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Suave

If it lasts for a long time (over a month), or you actually contemplate suicide, then I suggest going to a psychologist/psychiatrist. Hopefully your college will have one who is either cheap or "free" (free as in payed for through your tuition). You might just be having some mood swings, or there is a possibility that you're manic-depressive.

MEAD

Ideally I'd like to get through this without drugs of any kind, I'd like to feel personally stronger as a result of getting through it naturally. I don't think this is going to be a chronic problem in my life, since its never been an issue before. I have much hope that things can get back to normal, and thank you everyone for the your care and advice.

tropple

As long as I have that injection of haldol every three days and keep on track with the lithium and paxil, I'm okay enough to be outside.

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JSwiss

Starting college is a very stressful time. I went through similar struggles when I started my freshman year at college. What helps most is to find a supportive group of friends and become active in college life. Join a club, go to the gym play games til early into the morning. In the meantime take some ginsing (spelling?) you can get it in green tea, including the ever trendy Arizon Green Tea, and that'll help up your moods without being on meds. Good luck

water_boy1999

Sounds like familiar territory when I was in college. I had a great high school experience, then moved away from my folks and friends, to a place where I didn't know a soul and completely started over. I didn't have the girl, but the rest is there. The easiest thing for me to do was to try anything any everything I could get into. I started a job very soon after I arrived in town. I was on the cross country and track teams so I started to build friendships.

Have you gone out to find things you like to do with people that have similar interests? Building new friendships helps to bridge the gap of drifting away from others.

To be honest MEAD, I think you suffer from a little lonliness as opposed to being depressed, but then I am not a doctor. Good luck and keep us posted.

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yellowchef

Its a lot to go through, I suffered from seperation anxiety BIG TIME when I moved to college in 2002. I still go through moods, and lately things have been super rough. You have gone through a lot and you're still working on a lot. It may seem like you're waiting forever but things like this take time. If you feel that strongly about it.. go talk to someone. Its worth talking to someone about things and it makes me feel a lot better.

I hope you get through this all, it sounds like you have a good future ahead of you and making friends is a BIG plus. The fact that you know you can go to your parents is a good thing, and I hope you follow through. They can help you make a better decision and get you to a professional if they see fit. Good Luck!!

screamincheetah

MEAD.... the important thing is that you're realizing the issues early. It's a problem when you don't even know what's going on or why. I'm going through a lot of weird issues myself right now. A couple of random thoughts.... Move forward every day. Don't let yourself mope or do nothing. You have to think of a positive action; something that will make you happy or productive, and then do it. It you always move forward you will end up in a good place. Also, follow your gut. If it says to make a change, make the change. Don't stay in the same place just because you think you're suppossed to, whether in your relationship, job, school, whatever. To many people just accept the hand that's dealt to them. Make sure you're in control of your own life, and follow that gut. Most of all, be happy. Even if you're faking it sometimes. Talk to people, laugh, have fun. Again, be positive and move forward. It's a fact that acting happy causes you to be happier.

These might not make sense. It's late. Just thought I'd throw a few things on the table

RainbowBright

Mono and depression have some sort of correlation. My mom had mono which lead to a pretty major depression. There's also a correlation between going to college and depression. 2 things factor in here, 1) we generally go to college about the age when mental illness tends to appear and 2) college is a HUGE change. This could be a one time event you can work through or as you said gentics could be playing a role and this may be a lifetime struggle. Sometimes antidepressents can help you get over that hump and then as your life straightens out you can ween off of them. Most colleges offer free counseling. It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.