Depression...?

Question

I have been stuck with depression for weeks now (pretty sure months) & it just won't go away. I have been stressed out because my grades are going down & not to mention all the drama going on between my friends. everything going on in my life is slowly falling apart. How do i make all of this go away or atleast this dreadful feeling?

Answer 1

I fought my way out of depression that started in high school and went critical in college. It was the most drawn out, difficult thing I've ever overcome but you can do it.

The one thing that helped me the most was learning to distinguish between the things that I could and could not control, and using that knowledge to help get rid of my unnatural feelings of guilt and helplessness.

First of all, and mostly importantly, you can not now nor will you ever be able to control what other people think, feel, or do. Not your friends, not your significant others, and certainly not your teachers, bosses, or family members. I'm not saying you should blow it off when there's drama around you, drama is exhausting and frustrating, but you can't let it affect how you feel about yourself. It's absolutely not a reflection of you or anything about you. The only guilt you need ever feel is for things YOU have done and YOU have said. And only feel it long enough to learn from it.

The only things you CAN control are your own thoughts and actions. So you need to face up to your mistakes and take responsibility for your decisions. It's a lot easier said than done, and it hurts at first, but once you start, doing it makes you stronger.

It takes a long time, but it's an uphill climb as long as you stay true to the truth, not what that gnawing blackness inside of you is trying to tell you. Good luck.

Answer 2

Im not sure you can get rid of the feeling altogether hun - i suffer from depression - apparently a chemical imbalance - im on medication for it - ive had it since i can remember and stopped taking the tablets during my pregnancy - things were fine for about 2 years then suddenly the black cloud came back with a vegence - i went to the doc who said 'whats wrong then in your life to make you feel down' i remember looking at him - well through him - and just said my life is fine apart from i dont feel that i love my son and i couldnt care less if i live or die - i want to kill myself and am aware of this but before long i dont think i'll be aware and might do something stupid - i couldnt believe what i was saying - i felt possessed! - it was all very very scary - now though i have come to terms with the fact that i may need to be on medication for the rest of my life - although 1 tablet a day to balance things out is better than feeling how i felt and thinking what i thought - they are not happy pills far from it - and the person i am isnt fake - its just to balance things out as i said. But in your situation it sounds like you may be in a rut although there is a light at the end of the tunnel as you have been able to pin point the issues that are making you down - sit down and write a list of things that are bothering you - go through each one and next to it write how you feel you can improve the situation, and/or make changes to alter the way you feel towards it - you'll be suprised when you write things down and read them back they probably wont seem that bad after all - if this doesnt help just remember to talk to people - anyone just as long as your not bottling it all up - its so important to talk - good luck and i hope you feel better soon x

Answer 3

1. Prioritize. Take care of yourself before worrying about your friends.
2. Get some psychological and pharmaceutical help. Depression is quite treatable. Don't waste any more of your time shying away from the kind of help that will end your pain.
3. Do everything possible to fix your grades and prevent your life from falling apart.
4. Don't allow your friends' problems from dealing with your own. You're no good to them the way you are now.

Answer 4

Hi Jackie - I've been depressed at various periods throughout my life, and consequently I've learned a number of ways to deal with depression. One important thing to think about is - the difficult things in your life are all real, but depression is merely a result of your attitude towards them. You can let it affect you and drag you down, or you can decide that you want to fight it and work through it.

That said, like any illness, depression can't just be "thought" away - it takes active effort to remove it. Sometimes even removing the thing that originally got you depressed isn't enough. What I've found helps enormously is:
1) Stick to a regular schedule. This means get up early and go to bed at a reasonable hour. It is VERY easy to let depression rule your mornings and keep you in bed. This will inevitably make you feel worse. Getting up early, on the other hand, will help you feel more active and in control of your life.
2) Don't waste your time. When you're depressed (or at least when I am) I find myself frittering away the hours on stuff that I know is crap. Even as I realize I'm doing this I continue to do it. This only makes me more depressed. Identify activities you're engaging in that you're not really proud of and cut them out - stop doing them entirely if that helps you feel better. Replace them with something else, something that engages your creativity.
3) Exercise. This is a crucial one! Exercise is a GREAT way to fight depression and will naturally make you feel better - both in terms of health and in outlook. Sometimes when I am depressed and I go make myself exercise, I come out feeling miles better and am amazed at the transformation.
4) Get out. If your friends invite you somewhere, go there. If they don't, ask them. Sometimes this doesn't work, and you go out and feel like a wallflower. So take friends you know won't ignore you. Maybe even making clear you need to be cheered up will help.
None of this will solve the problems in your life, of course, but fighting depression can often give you the strength and determination you need to fix those problems anyway.

Hope this was helpful, and good luck.

Answer 5

ok firstly, why has no one mentioned medications to help treat depression??

i was severely anorexic and depressed after a death in the family about four years ago. after months of attempting to "make myself happy" and attending events, getting outside, reading, spending time with family and friends...nothing worked. it's not that i didn't have moments that my depression lessened, and yes of course, sometimes you do find yourself happy from time to time while being depressed.

however, the big issue here could be inbalanced chemicals within your brain and body. and no matter how much you try to better youself with outside activities and people, if the chemicals are off, you will never fully feel happy.

i started seeing a therapist (can't prescribe meds) and psychiatrist (prescribes meds) and eventually got onto a small dose of prozac. i had no side effects (no weight gain, no mood swings - any more so than regular at least) and within a few weeks when it started to kick in i felt so much better.

i am still on it to this day, and it just keeps me balanced. it certainly does not change my life into a permenant trip to Disney World or anything of the sort, but it helps find that middle ground that i couldn't seem to find on my own.

take this into consideration and good luck. don't let yourself go too long without doing something about it...it's not worth it!!

Answer 6

Try to relax and try doing things that you enjoy. Just have fun in life and don't take it too hard. Try to have fun and laugh every chance you've got and get yourself used to seeing everything in a positive way.

If that doesn't work, try going to a psychiatrist because it's their jobs to be able to tell you what is going on with you, and if you need pills or not.

Or you can see a psychologist instead. Maybe he/she can help you overcome your depression without pills. Some believe in pills and some don't so make sure you find a psychologist that is good for you. Don't stick with the same one if you feel that he/she is not helping you.

Answer 7

Get some help. Depression is a chemical change in the brain. And often medication does help. If you can't afford to see a professional, look in the phone book almost every region will have a mental health clinic. Exercise, ie., just taking a brisk walk will stimulate your brain to produce a chemical reaction that will boost your mental state.

Answer 8

everyone has problems, but later on in life you will have much bigger ones. Don't let your friends stress you out because ten years from now most of them won't even be your friends any more.I have been there before just keep to your studies and the problem will fix itself. Good Luck

p.s. Just think of what is good in your life and not so much on whats bad.

Answer 9

No matter what Tom Criuse says, medications do help. Talk to your doctor about what might work for you. Also, get thee to a therapist! Hashing things out with a third party really helps. Good luck.

Answer 10

talk to a trusted adult! depression is not something to be taken lightly. it can be treated if needed. sometimes talking through your issues is a big help! you may want to try keeping a journal as well. good luck.