Am I depressed or is something else?

Question

I am 18 with social anxiety and panic attacks. I have dropped out of college due to this. I just couldnt be there. I work only 3 nights a week cleaning at my mothers office building because no one is around me. In order to live at my parents house I have to go to college, but I feel like I do not want to go back yet. I am actually considering moving out with my husband and renting a home. And renturning to college on my own. And instead of going to school for nursing (I did b/c thats what my dad wanted) I want go for Esthetics. Am I wrong for wanting to move out on my own and go back to college when Im ready for what I want or is it something I should do? thanks for any help!

Answer 1

I would suggest that you see a Dr. and get an assessment on your condition for the right medication to ease your attacks. After a while try to go back to college and switch your major if being a nurse isn't going to be your thing. Could you imagine trying to draw blood on a patient and having a panic attack at the same time? I have had panic attacks in Wal-Mart before and left my basket just sitting there, I had to go outside and get some air! You said you're married? Where is your husband and why don't you two live together? I don't think you would be wrong at all to move out on your own, you need your own space with your husband. Try not to stay out of college to long though because, it will set you back and time will pass by oh so fast when you are depressed. I wish you the best.

Answer 2

Many times depression comes with anxiety and panic attacks or even because of them. I hope you will see a Dr about this because there are medications that can help you feel more balanced. There is no reason to suffer through this alone....get some help so you can get on with living. I think you should go back to school when you feel ready and study something that you are really interested in. If you think moving out will help you then by all means do it. Right now, you need to do the things that make you happy and whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Good luck and don't be afraid to get some help for your depression and anxiety. Your life will be much happier.

Answer 3

Hi...you are 18 and married although you have social anxiety and panic attack??? that in itself is surprising. If you can afford to move out, live on your own and not go to school, do what you want you are an adult. Make sure you tell your parents yu appreciate their input but you need to figure this out on your own. Not sure where the depression part of the question is? But if yu truly have panic disorder and social anxiety it iss very likely you are suffering with depressive symptoms as well. Good luck :)

Answer 4

Since you're married and an adult, I think you should do whatever makes you happy. If you want to move and go to college when you're ready and major in what you wanna do-then do it! Your parents can't choose what you're going to be when you grow up-it's a decision that's all yours. Talk to your parents and let them know what you wanna do, just so they can know and won't be freaking out when you're moving out of their house. Explain to your parents why you are moving out and how you would feel more comfortable going back to college when you are ready and how you want to rent a house with your husband. They should understand-if not, move out anyway. It's your life and you're an adult now-not a kid.

By the way, some people are saying that you are young to be married. Some people get married earlier than others. My mom was your age when she got married.

Answer 5

Before you decide what to do, I would get counselling for the social anxiety and panic attacks, or if you can't afford that, read books, articles on the net or watch DVDs on the subject. They often use slow 'de-sensitization' techniques to get you used to situations that casue anxiety or panic gradually.

Making life-changing decisions about college etc before sorting out your anxiety isn't a very good idea.

I would talk to your family doctor to get an overview of your options.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is good too, to change your thinking patterns, beliefs about yourself and others and thereby change your feelings of panic or anxiety.

If you read these books, you'll have lots of little questions which you can ask about on here. You can also search previous answers on here using the 'search for questions' box, for particular words like 'shyness' or 'social phobia' or 'anxiety'.

Another issue is 'Do you suffer from perfectionism?'. Sometimes people get depressed because they expect to be perfect or do everything perfectly. They judge themselves harshly or feel that other people are judging their appearance or behaviour and then start to panic. See wikipedia article on perfectionism and treatments for it.

Answer 6

Before making any decisions, you need to address your anxiety. There's Good news! Your life can be changed very soon and in relatively short time. I've been through this and came out of it in less than a week!

See your family physician, ask for xanex. Don't take any other depression medication! Xanex is for immediate and short-term use. Other drugs take longer to work, can mess you up even worse, and can't ween yourself off of them without problems. THIS IS ONLY for a short period of time and for you to relax to break into your new life.

Call these people. They will help and their system works!

Answer 7

You need to be on medication for your anxiety, etc. also see a counselor, that will help you to sort out what you really want from your life. You are extremely young to have a job, a husband, living with your parents, college,etc. much responsibility. Stressful.

Answer 8

I think that you are just too stressed. my mom is depressed. she sleeps all the time and can barely go to the store on her own. your stressed try taking a few leisure days.

Answer 9

I thinks you should seek Gods help by praying to him and also seek a docter.