Am I depressed or should I stop complaining and get over it?

Question

I am a 19 year old university student in a graphic design program. I think I've been depressed on and off for a long time, but this semester I have felt terrible to the point of crying without reason and despair over not having control over my life. I take naps during the day and stay up too late, and my appetitie isn't good. My self-esteem is low and sometimes I don't feel like hanging with my friends. I work to please my parents and I think that doing something for myself would be selfish and bad. I've always been taught that I should "suck it up" and focus on more important things, but lately I haven't felt like it and I tend to dwell on my negative feelings.
I have been seeing a counselor about it, and I'm going to see a psychiatrist tomorrow, but if it turns out I have clinical depression I am skeptical about taking pills.

Turns out I have mild depression. My psychiatrist gave me Lexapro and I've been taking it for two days. Has anyone else taken this?

Answer 1

I've got that same issue (wondering whether to suck it up) and i have to say that you shouldn't have to. Everyone has issues, and it sounds like you are having a tough time dealing with it. Depression (if you have it) is just like any other disease, except this is of the mind, and you need and deserve all the help and support you can get. Just looking at the way you are feeling you shouldn't have to suck it up, if you are feeling that low then something is wrong, and they shouldn't tell you to just suck it up, that is very rude and very destructive. And doing something for yourself isn't bad, there is no way you can be completely selfless, that is just how humans are built, the point is to take care of yourself and others as equally as possible, and it sounds like you are focusing to much on others needs and not so much on what you need. Your parents don't (or shouldn't at least) expect you to do everything in your life for them, they raised you and now you are on your own to live your own life. It does sound like you might be depressed, but that's only from what i've heard. If depression is getting to the point where it interferes with your daily activities (taking lots of naps, staying up late, bad appetite) then something is off, there is nothing anyone can say, something isn't right, and they should be symapthetic in your time of need. About you tending on the negative feelings, that is totally normal, even for a "healthy" person, like i said people are just naturally selfish (not to an extreme, but it is just part of nature) and it is to exhausting to always be focused on someone else, so there is nothing wrong with dwelling on your feelings, especially considering it sounds like you are in a lot of pain.

Good, you are seeing a counselor, that's a great first step. Please don't be skeptical about taking pills, there is all this hype about how it will make you more depressed, addicted to the pills, feel numb, or it makes you weak, and that is all crap. The first three i mentioned are possible, but very rare (espeically the first two) and they help far more people than they hurt, though different ppl need different pills and dosages. It may be hard at first if you agree to try the pills, cause you have to wait a month for them ot completely kick in, then you might have to change dosages or maybe even the pill, but when you find the right one it will be worth it, and you will likely feel much better. There is all this stuff about how it is brainwashing and not natural and stuff, but it's just like taking medicine when you are sick, it is to help you get better, and while it does have weird effects on some people where they get numb and don't feel anything, there aren't so many of that and there are becoming fewer and fewer with the newer pills coming out. I personally have/am taking pills and they really do help, all they really do is reset you to a 'norm' so that you can enjoy life again. All in all, i really think you should atleast give it a try, it can very likely help you enjoy things much easier and such. If you feel like you have depression i would suggest you check out a symptoms chart for depression if you haven't already, to see if you fit some of the things on it. Well, if you want to or vent about how you feel feel free to emial me at [e-mail] . Whatever happens, best of luck, and i hope it all works out!

-sarah

Answer 2

If it's something you can fix without pills, great. If not, there's nothing wrong with that. Clinical depression is no different than high blood pressure or other physical problems. If you have to medically treat it, then that's the way it is. I take prozac and have no side effects. But I have heard stories from people who have taken prozac and couldn't handle the side effects. I had to try about 7 different anti-depressants to see what was best for me. Hopefully you won't have to go through all of that. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

I take Lexapro as well. I'm 19 and have severe depression. I have to say, that it did help, but the reason why I'm on YA! right now, is because I feel suicidal and I'm venting. But I do have the same situation as you. For me though, I've been depressed since I was 12.

Answer 4

So you are at the university and you got a job too? And you feel sorry that you take naps? Is it wrong to rest sometimes?

No one, not even a machine can go on without rest for long. Don't overwork yourself and learn to say that if you overwork your system will breakdown (as it is happening now)

Yes, you need to work for a living. yes you need to rest, relax and enjoy too. If you don't do that, even those people who want you to work non-stop without complaining will see you breakdown completely and fail to produce desired outcome.

People who fail to see the long term losses in terms of lack of rest and enjoyment for short term gains, should be ignored as best as you can.

You can stay healthy and active by leading a balanced life not a life of a workaholic. (no matter what the world expects from you.)

Answer 5

You should be lauded for taking a bold decision to meet a psychiatrist. Congrats. Yes, it does seem that you suffer from a mild depressive disorder, but since you have an insight into your problem it makes it easy to treat.

You could be treated without pills, kindly discuss this with your shrink.

Answer 6

Change your quote. You say you relate to the only dangerous apple quote good, uncover a brand new one that is extra like what you aspire to be. tape it in your reflect and the within of your locker or in spots wherein you can see it such a lot most commonly to remind your self of your target in the course of the day. You do ought to make a mindful attempt to be extra optimistic. Tell your peers your target and feature them supply you a tender reminder whenver you slip up so you'll be able to get again on monitor. Yes, make a record of what you are well at then do the ones matters in as a lot abundance as viable. What makes you joyful, what makes you unhappy? Avoid some thing is at the unhappy record to support maintain you from feeling down. Of direction you can nonetheless believe down as soon as in a even as however that is traditional. Try telling your self what sort of individual you wish to be and sooner or later you simply maybe that individual.

Answer 7

if you don't have control of your life then who does?
you said you work for your parents
are you living for them because of the guilt you have for allowing them to send you to college?
i feel your parents have pushed you there...
the point of non-existence
i've been there...so i know
if you cry no one can see you
if you hide no one will notice you're not there
if you do socialize it is a burden
even though you may want to interact your non-persona prevents that from happening
of course these things don't happen overnight but they do happen
end result for me is i had to change things for myself
i had to realize i didn't like being a nobody because in God's eyes I am somebody very special
for you - let your parents know your feelings
concentrate on school and if you don't like your major change it
you didn't go to school for a social environment so don't beat yourself up about not being "in the mix"
if the mix is real, then it'll still be there
prayer and waiting on the Lord is what got me thru every emotion not suitable for my life
always remember He doesn't come when we want Him but He's always on time
stay away from the meds...
with love and respect

Answer 8

there is one good remedie to take the blues away - visiting gym. gives u positive emotions, energy and raise of self esteem. how can u be depressed if u look good? and if all the guys on campus re turning heads after u cos u re strickingly beautiful? so quit whining and visit gym before starting medications. im amaized any of your doctors adviced u that first

Answer 9

I think you're pushing yourself too hard, step back and realize there is only 1 person you really have to please and that's you. Sometimes parents pressure us too much and don't even realize that is what is happening. Have you told them how you feel? I know it's a scary proposition but it is the solution. And as for sucking it up? That's for the movies, this is real life.

Answer 10

Don't hesitate about the pills. I have friends and family that take them for anxiety, and I would never know that but they have told me. They say they need it and it helps.

Without pills, should that be possible, if you are a Christian, trust God, lean on his mercy and grace to help in time of need.