I'm a 17 year old male. I won't go into alot of detail because it would take all night. I recently dropped out of high school and plan to take me GED. I dropped out because i went to a private christian school for 4 years and i went to a public school for a month and i found out i was very far behind. The christian school let me get behind (long story). The principal said i would be cutting it sharp to even graduate when i'm 21....I am preparing to take my GED but i am very depressed. I do not have any friends to talk to about this (i have social anxiety). If i passed my GED should i take the Junior College route or something similar? I'm very confused about all of this. It all happened so fast. Also, are there any meds for social anxiety and depression? I would appreciate some kind of advise. I dont have any one else to talk to about this (literally). Thanks.
2006-09-18 17:40:00 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
first off, calm down. 17 is a young age and if your going to make a mistake, better to make it now then after you've accumulated debt! i am not sure which state that you are in or the rules, but my advice is to take it slow, and talk to those that can help you. a good start would be perhaps to schedule a meeting with one of the junior college counselors, or with your public school counselor. usually they are more than willing to help, and the fact that they are complete strangers to you might help ease your anxiety. do not hesitate to cold call them or write them an email if you feel that would be easier as it is their job to help. also, if you plan to take your GED, then do so, and wait and see what happens as this will help you decide which path to head towards. information is your friend so make sure you talk to the right people and know the rules so that you can make a better decision in the future. regarding the depression, these things happen and are just a part of life. and there is plenty of time to fix your current situation and plenty of time to have more misfortune fall on you. how you handle misfortune is what makes you an adult and builds your character, and character is something than no one can take away. learn from this experience and realize that it will make you a stronger person. you can consult a physician and he can prescribe you medications for social anxiety disorder (xanax) as well as depression although i would suggest not to rush into depression medication as this bout of depression could be the result of having to adjust to a difficult circumstance as opposed to clinical depression that requires medication. it is going to be hard for a little while, but you will come out on top if you believe in yourself and stick with it. abraham lincoln was a spectacular failure at many points in his life, but he proved that he could overcome adversity and now his face is carved into a mountain!
2006-09-18 18:06:48 · answer #1 · answered by Josh C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, I'm sorry you feel like your life sucks right now and I don't have much of an answer to your question but I just had to say that you sound exactly like a guy my husband knows.
He went to a Christian School and found when he got out that he was really far behind so he got his GED, too. He didn't have any friends, isn't a real brainiac and is kind of nerdly (not to say anything about you but this guy really felt like he had nothing going for him). Now, he's got a good job with the city and has a smokin' hot wife (he's 23).
Plus, the community college in our town doesn't even require that you've graduated high school to start courses.
Definitely get your GED, definitely talk to a counsellor at your local community college and definitely talk to your doctor about your social anxieties and depression ~ you won't believe how much better you'll feel.
Hang in there, you sound like you have a plan. Stick to it and things will work out.
2006-09-19 00:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by Cassafrass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Number one I am sorry to hear about all of this, number two I think I can help as I went to get my GED in 2004 and passed so have faith there I also have social anxiety badly and good news there are a lot of meds out there to help, I also get depressed but I am getting better there the meds I take are Klopin 1 mg its spelled wrong and I take Paxil 25 mg those work for me. You need to go to your family Dr. and talk to them of course you will need to set down with a parent and talk to them first because you are a minor and will need them to go with you to the appt. also I would consider maybe a counsler and after a little while group therapy you can make some friends that would be a great support system and get help with your problems. Good news go to whatever college you want and be who you want to be I just graduated Medical School and will be walking on the 22nd so dont give up things always get better and remember god will never put more on you then what you can handle and if you dont have someone to talk to he is always there. Hope this helps
2006-09-19 00:50:04 · answer #3 · answered by mikeysbaby421 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
apparently your depression stems from the poor quality of the education you recieved in the private school, nothing you can do about that now, except to make up the loss. If you totally apply yourself to studing and getting the education you need, it will take your mind off of the depressive thoughts. In today's society a GED is inadaquate to succeed in any career. You need the knowledge that's taught in high school to understand the subjects taught in colleges and universities. The level of education needed to pass a GED exam isn't much more than grade 9 in high school. Just because you call pass it doesn't make you any better off than you are now.
Most communities have an adult education center where you can obtain a good education that will prepare you for a higher level of learning, and you'll be in an environment with students with a simular situation. This should help you overcome the social anxiety too.
Unless you want to be a minimum wage earner for the rest of your life, you're going to have to have some marketable skills or the ability to be self employed in a successful business, in which case you will still need some (a lot) of experience and training.
My advice = go back to your public school and have a long chat with the school counselor. You can take evening and week-end classes to catch up. Concentrate on the school work and don't worry about the social stuff until you get caught up.
2006-09-19 01:13:21 · answer #4 · answered by tee_nong_noy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I switched from a Christian school to a public in the middle of high school, talk about culture shock! I'm sorry to hear the school let you down. It's great that you're planning to do the GED!
There are meds for anxiety and depression. You really need to talk to your doctor about it. They will ask you a bunch of questions to determine what medication you may need. It may take time to find the right drug for you. Check out this website: www.checkupfromtheneckup.ca
2006-09-19 00:51:19 · answer #5 · answered by hopebaymama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a doctor. There are med for depression, but they are prescribed, and without a doctor you won't get anything. I'm guessing with GED it will be hard to get into many schools, so you should try whatever you can. Try making friends in less crowded settings. I do not know much about social anxiety, but I believe you should find a way around it. Depression will defiantly bring you down and influence your studies. When I get down, I have to stay down a little, enjoy my sadness per say, mourn if you will, then I shake it off real good (or the best I can) and focus hard in studying. I find it more productive then studying when you're battleing with depression. Feel free to contact me if you need somebody to chat.
2006-09-19 00:51:20 · answer #6 · answered by dahfna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are medications available and to admit you might need them is not defeat and it does not mean you are out of control, so please don't let anyone tell you different.
My persinal battle with depression started when I was your age. Things seem overwhelming and confusing and I know it can be maddening.
Wherever you live, there are probably county or government programs available for mental health. Or, if you have a family doctor you can talk to them and they can refer you to someone else if need be.
It could be just that you need someone to help you talk through your options, or to give you an unbiased opinion. Talk can do wonders.
You already made the first step by admitting you need help, I hope you can take the second step and seek that help out.
Chin up!
2006-09-19 00:53:18 · answer #7 · answered by Superfro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well im kinda the same as you, i have social anxiety too, and i dropped out of school when i was 15
i recently got my ged at the age of 21, and i am preparing to go into beauty school or something someday. it is sooo hard because of the social anxiety, i keep thinking up reasons why i have to put it off. i know i got to do something with my life and not live under this "condition" and let it rule me, but it is soo hard....you know how it is:(
2006-09-19 00:48:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all i applaud you for trying to fix the problem but your parents need to help with issue of education. i recommend that you contact a lawyer and explain what happened. i also suggest talking with the education counsler for the ged, and quite possibly help you enter college. most universitys are accepting geds. there should be a free mental health hotline number in your area that can help you get a with a professional to be prescribed medication for anxiety and depression. i wish you luck
2006-09-19 00:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by mole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think your on track. You can still be a very successful person as long as you try hard to educate yourself. Id reccomend studying in junior college hardcore, then going on to a state school, then to a private university as a graduate.
This is not the place such questions however. You need to talk to your parents and family about this if anyone.
2006-09-19 00:45:58 · answer #10 · answered by khaoticwarchild 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋