Depression out of control?

Question

I am going to be 18 soon and lots of things are going to change, and i have had derpression and social phobia for 5 years i want to be able to change this and help myself,

I have seen many thearpist,been on many medication, help book, hynotherpy but nothing seems to work

i was told spirtual retreats help with this kind of thing to help with derpression and my ongoing questions whats the point? why i am here? whats my purpose ? is there a god etc

do you know of any spirtual retreats?
do you know what could help me?

Answer 1

I'm in my mid 30's and have also suffered social phobia since my late teens. This has also led to bouts of depression on & off for quite a few years. Like you, I've tried (behaviour) therapy, drugs, self-help books etc and nothing has worked for me either. Life has been a struggle for me, but I'm still here today to tell you that! Life can get you down sometimes, but you never know what the future may hold for you. This post may not help you much, but just know that you are not suffering alone out there.

Answer 2

I don't believe in any God. I think seeking answers in something or somebody outside of yourself is dangerous - you need to develop core beliefs within YOU from your OWN belief system - not one invented by others. Believe in YOU not in religions.

I have suffered from panic attacks and anxiety - largely related to work pressures that contradict what I really want to do - art.

I kind of know how you feel. You can think about life and the world so much that it all becomes surreal. In fact I was watching a documentary last night about amazing wildlife and started thinking what is the point of THEIR life? Felt like my head would explode. In the end I decided that all us animals are here to just do our little bit to make sure life carries on. I suppose that includes everything - from an accountant - to a mother - to an environmental campaigner. We all have our roles. I also decided that my brain was biologically incapable of trying to comprehend the vastness and amazingness of the world.

What can I suggest? I suppose you need to find what makes you happy and strive to do it. Maybe it will be bringing up a family? Creativity? Helping others? Financial gain? Travelling? Stability? Heck - if you don't want to study or work - don't. Being forced to do something is very sapping and trapping.

Seems like you feel life is in control of YOU and not YOU of it! Make the change - grab life and decide what it is YOU want to do. Make a plan - a programme and exclude those things that don't float your boat. It is hard growing up but you ARE in control now - try to see this.

Maybe you should travel? The world is beautiful. It would build your confidence also and maybe give you ideas about what to do next. You are obviously quite internally focused and think too much and a retreat may encourage this - whereas want you want to break is your social phobia - you need to get OUT there. And when you are travelling you will be too busy thinking about what to do, where to go and how to get there to worry about the other stuff. Also focusing on this plan will give you a goal - you may need to get a job to earn money to do it.

Otherwise by the time you have answered all the big questions life will have passed you by and you didn't realise it because you were too busy worrying.

Answer 3

First of all, ignore any dismissive answers you've got here, people rarely understand mental illness if they haven't experienced it...

if you haven't tried cognitive behavioural therapy yet then do... if you have, get a better therapist.. it gives you the pyschological understanding of yourself that you need to heal yourself...

as for spiritual retreats, something buddhist might help, meditation can be very useful for the depressive mind... but i would steer clear of trying to find the big answers from a select group - no one has them and you risk confusing yourself further...

it also sounds likely that you were or are living in a difficult environment where people may be sympathetic (or not) but overall unhelpful - if this is the case, look to changing that environment and forging some independence (though be sure to maintain some kind of support network if at all possible)... people around us, no matter how well meaning, can continually reinforce the feelings and beliefs that depression is based on and perpetuated with...

I wish you the best of luck, depression and agoraphobia are surmountable, i know this as i have recovered from both myself.
(you're welcome to contact me through this if you want to ask me anything)

Answer 4

You seem to be dealing with the same issues that, many of us deal with. You can take pills, you can see professionals and you may never feel as if this is resolved.
Spiritual retreats may be helpful, when the retreat is over you still have your life to live. I recommend taking daily retreats, breath deeply, get grounded. Try Tai-Chi, or some form of the martial arts.
You are here to be a source of joy and happiness to your friends and family. You were born at this time to offer humanity your gift-whatever it may be. You have a purpose-develop your unlimited potential-study psychology-comparative religion. Develop a broader view, look beyond yourself and see how you can help others-be a Nurse or Doctor--maybe you can help someone with similar concerns.
Is there a God? What do you feel? Do you believe that, a Supreme Being created and maintains the universe? Do you feel the presence of the Divine in your life? I believe that, you are capable of achieving great things in-spite of what you may be dealing with.Follow your passions-be purposeful in all that you do. Enjoy your self and be a gift to others.
Lastly, may your deepest and most profound love be self-love. Marianne Williamson wrote:"Our deepest fear is not that, we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

Answer 5

Find the cause of the depression-get some new blood tests done.Avoid a junk food diet.Dont get too wrapped up in spiritual things,they arent an easy answer.Try and avoid negative thoughts,see a good therapist to help find the cause,and to teach
relaxation methods.Try and keep active,and find something easy to have faith in.

Answer 6

You WILL come out of it believe me. One day, it could be tmrw, next week, or next year, but something inside you will tell you enough is enough and you are not going to let it beat you. From that day on things will change. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Try St John's Wort and exercise. Good luck, oh yes - and try listening to Mozart or similar.

Answer 8

Look at the yobs and slags around and take pride that you're not one of them.
Be patient.
A happy life awaits you. It will be worth the wait.

Answer 9

you have to think sod it,Im going to live my life and not let this illness control me anylonger.Its hard but there is life at the end of the tunnell.Good luck.

Answer 10

Put some music on, shut the door and dance!