<p>It’s taken me awhile to admit this, but there is. </p>
<p>I am a senior in college who has dealt depression since…maybe late middle school…early high school. I’ve never been diagnosed. I’ve never told my parents, although my mom may believe I’m “sensitive”. I’ve never told anybody. Hell, I didn’t even want to tell myself. </p>
<p>But I am now telling you guys. </p>
<p>And it makes me uneasy because I never wanted to believe something was wrong with me. And although I know there are many out there who struggle like me, to tell myself that mentally there is something off is scary. Recently, after a chain of unfortunate events, I came to the realization that what I was experiencing, and have been experiencing for too damn long, is not “normal”. </p>
<p>It’s really hard when another episode hits and those who I turn to believe it’s just a “bad week”. It’s really hard when a minor thing blows out of proportion in your mind and you’re aware it’s being blown out of proportion, yet, your mind still races with these thoughts. It’s really hard looking back at yourself two months ago doing so well and getting better only to fall down yet again.</p>
<p>It’d be really great if anyone who is struggling or has struggled with depression could share their experience, tips, and solutions. I could really use some support. </p>
<p>You go see a doctor and find out if there are physical causes that are causing this. It could be thyroid, it could be a number of things, or it could be your hormones, wiring, etc. They can give you some meds to relieve some symptoms and counseling for you to learn to deal with this. Sometimes the meds can be tapered, sometimes changed, sometimes they are something essential for people. A lot of young people find themselves wrestling mental demons. Seems to be growing pains. Many gain control enough that those demons only rear their ugly little heads occasionally once some equilibrium is reached. But you go see a doctor and a mental health therapist to address this.</p>
<p>I have been living successfully with depression for 15 years. I’ve had depression for nearly 25 years but the first 10 years I was in denial and then I really struggled against it. When I finally accepted it and sought out help, my life got tremendously better. For me it’s been a combination of therapy and medication that gave me my life back. I’ll be on meds for the rest of my life and that’s okay. I’m just thankful to live in a time when depression is being taken seriously and there is help available.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. Be patient and kind with yourself, you can do this.</p>
<p>You get help. I’ve had depression for almost a decade now. I have it mostly under control but there are still periods where I can’t get out of bed and have no will to do anything. </p>
<p>Going to get professional help will change your life. Like pug, it took meds and therapy to get me to a more normal state. There’s no cure, but there is treatment. </p>
<p>You are not alone. There are people that want to help you. Mental illness is NO different than other types of illness. Would you be ashamed to seek treatment for the flu? Of course not. Depression is no different. Do not feel like there is something “wrong” with you. </p>
<p>Can you open up to your parents or a school counselor? That’s where I would start. Best of luck.</p>
<p>YES, it can get better – if you seek out the available help! Research shows that combining multiple treatment techniques is the fastest and most effective way to relieve depression and prevent recurrences. This can include combinations of medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, conventional (supportive talking) therapy, exercise, and sleep regulation therapy. See some of the latest research here: <a href=“Sleep Therapy Seen as an Aid for Depression - The New York Times”>Sleep Therapy Seen as an Aid for Depression - The New York Times; (that’s my mother quoted in the fifth paragraph).</p>
<p>I dealt with terrible depression and anxiety for years in my youth, but have now been symptom-free for almost 20 years thanks to excellent treatment. This is a very common and very treatable condition. With professional help, people recover every day. Start with the services on campus. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve lived with it since middle school. I was in denial until I was well into my 20s. I have no clue how my now husband dealt with me. It took a lot of bad stuff to get me to admit that I needed medicine (for me, talk therapy wasn’t enough). I’ve been on ADs for over 20 years and they literally saved my life and my marriage. Physical exercise and as much daylight/sunlight as possible help, but aren’t enough. </p>
<p>Go to the student health center and ask for an appt with one of the counselors. If it looks like you will benefit from meds, they should refer you out. </p>
<p>The black hole is no fun and it can be too deep to get out of it by yourself. I have a lot of regrets for what I missed out on due to debilitating depression. </p>
<p>Depression can be familial. My mother, her father, my sisters, one daughter…</p>
<p>Get help and also acknowledge that it’s the dark time of year and that contributes (for many) to mood swings. Begin to notice if your struggly time comes as the clocks change and as winter comes on. It’s a true thing, the seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and can be helped by recognizing it happens and with light therapy and attention to energy changes across seasons. You are not alone! And it does get better!!! You learn how your system works and what to do about it. With help from those who have been there.</p>
<p>I really think my depression started when I went through puberty. I finally got help about 35 years later (don’t be like me!!!). I hope that you can see from the posts here that depression is not unusual, and that it is possible to get help. Hugs to you.</p>