Depression is slowly but surely taking over my life and Im running out of possible solutions.?

Question

I was diagnosed as clinically depressed at the age of 14 after having my first break down. I got the help that I needed and all the necessary support from my family. I was on medication and seeing a psychiatrist regularly. Two years later at the age of 16 I experienced a relapse and was put in the hospital for my own safety, and released 2 months later after being put on new medication. Life as a kid was great, but at some point (I dont know when) everything started to go downhill. Now I am almost 21 years of age, and I still battle my depression every single day. I cry myself to sleep every night. I sleep on average 15 hours a day. Meanwhile I am in my 3rd year of university and about to get kicked out because I dont go to class and there are not enough hours in a day for me to complete assignments, nor do I have the want and will to get out of bed each day. Im losing hope. Nothing seems to be working for me. What do I do? *crying*

Answer 1

I can relate. My first break-down was at 15 and then I kept going through them every few years. I hate the thought of this being a life long issue, but it is. You need to monitor yourself closely, and when you feel yourself slipping get back to the Dr. As for now it sounds like you are at the bottom and I am sorry, I know how hard it is to be there. The most important thing for someone with depression is a schedule, get up at the same time go to bed at the same time, rest is important also, but 15 hours a day is to much. Then you must excercise, a walk, a swim whatever it is you prefer but do it faithfully it releases feel good hormones and eases stress. You also need a good support system, people who get you, understand you, wether it is family, friends or a professional, find them and use them when you need to talk. The last thing you need to know is that you have to be important to you. Love yourself, realize that you are worthy of happiness, worthy of great things and that you have inner strength to battle the disease. It is a managable disease, but their is re-lapse, and how we handle that makes all the difference in the world. Get up, get dressed, and go and talk to a Dr. I bet your meds have worn out and are no longer effective, this happens and it takes time to get on another one but you owe it to yourself to try. The last thing I want to recommend is that alot of people who are depressed feel like they have done something wrong or created the problem, this is a disease, just like diabetes, cancer, ect it needs medical treatment, and you are not the cause for it. Lifelong depression or mental illness is attributed to chemical inbalances. That is why they usually start around puberty, because that is when your body chemistry really goes through a change. As for school, most universities will give you and incomplete if you have a Doctors not explaining the illness. This way you can get better, then finish up the classes when you are feeling better. Be honest with your teachers, I am sure they will work with you. You have put in three years, don't throw it all away because right now you are down. These feelings will pass. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 2

Well, first of all, it seems as though you are taking the reasonable first steps. eg. talking about it, seeking help, etc. Not all perscriptions however are cookie cutter. Everyone, as i'm sure you've already heard, has their own genetic makeup, and chemical balance, not to mention tolorance, and reactions. Some of these perscriptions can amplify your symptoms simply if they aren't the right balance of their chemical compounds. My advise without being able to actually speak with you, and not being a qualified proffessional, is to change your inner dialogue. (if you are used to saying to yourself that you aren't good enough - you can tell if you get upset when others tell you that you aren't good enough - then try flipping that around. tell yourself that you are. ) I know how ridiculous it feels at first. But i personaly guarentee that it will work over repititious use. Thing of it is, that your brain doesn't have the ability to tell if the thought it is processing at the present time is from now, before or later. It just processes it all as if it were happening right now. This is why when you think of things even from your past that upset you, you feel just as upset as you did then. Therefore, if you tell yourself compliments, your brain will send the signals to emit endorphines, and ceratonin into your body. You will in turn become euphoric. Also, humor me, and try something. ( sit with your eyes closed. start tapping on your knees. focus on how it feels, keep count of how many times you do it. focus on the sound it makes. do this for a good while. when you open your eyes, ask yourself if you felt your usual feelings while you were doing this. I'll bet you wouldn't have. ) -this exersize could be applied to any situation or enviornment. You could focus on your breathing and all of the charectoristics involved in your breaths. You too, might want to keep trying different types of antidepressants or whatever they have you on. Because as i mentioned, not all will work for everyone. Good luck. And don't be so hard on yourself. You'll accomplish what you want when you are ready!

Answer 3

We are all depressed then. No offense!!!!! I slept all the time in high school (Graduated in '91), unless I was working or going out. I had a job in 9th grade on and slept ALL the time and was NEVER happy. Even went to a psychologist, but she had no bearing on me. I hated my family most of all, but also myself. I was tired and never came out of my room, and my parents finally got sick of me. I was eventually kicked out in my junior year of high school and still was unhappily in a trance, but not thinking I was desperate. Was never offered medication?! Eventually I married and have three kids and fall asleep as soon as they leave for school every day. I could stay in bed 24/7. Unfortunately, I don't have the choice of being "tired". We ALL get tired, hopeless, and helpless. I never took medication, because it wasn't a choice in my day (15 years ago.) I still feel tired, still don't want to be bothered, still feel hopeless.....but I get up and do what I have to do. I am now finishing college after 15 years and have helped all my kids be great students and people. They are 15, 10 and 5 and don't realize I have ever (and still) have/had a problem. I still cry every day and can't sleep at night. However, I don't think it is a problem they should know about and be concerned with. I am there for them and they for me. I think you need to look at the big picture....no offense. There are people out there with WAY bigger problems.

Answer 4

Begin reading a bible each day starting in the book of Psalms. Exercise, conversation with people you like and good non lyrical music will help as well. Minimize tv, movies etc. as they can hit on subjects that may bring you down.

Look in the mirror as often as you can and smile, it's probably a pleasant sight to be thankful for!

Think some each day about the good years between 17 and now, your families love and the gift you have in being accepted to college and having made it this far even with your battle with depression. That is a major accomplishment and something well worth smiling about.

Praying for you, God Bless!

Answer 5

You may have a disorder more disabling than just your basic depression. You may have Manic Depression (Bipolar) or Borderline Personality Disorder. You should go to a new Psychiatrist and try some different medications. There are also free clinics available if you can't afford one or don't have insurance. I take Zoloft for depression. I also took Lexapro but went to Zoloft for pregnancy. These two work good for me, I don't have too many breakdowns. But it also helps if you have a spouse that can kick your butt into gear each day. You need support from people who understand what you are feeling.

Answer 6

i totally understand i have depression also and i used to sleep like 15 hours a day too but i have insomnia so now i dont get much sleep which really sucks, but the depression makes me not want to get up i have a hard time gettin ready to go out for the day like today i had to go grocery shoppin and pick up errands it took me forever to get myself to do that, but once i get goin im fine, they say exercise is good but hard when u dont have some 1 to exercise with, theres no motivation ,well with depression there is no motivation either, jus go c a psychologist and psychiatrist mayb they dont have u on the right meds, i know i been on alot that didnt work , try to find a support group, im tryin to find 1 myself but cant find 1, hope that helps, if u want email me

Answer 7

it sounds like you need an assessment for new meds. i was dx'd with clinical depression when i was 13 yrs old...so i really do feel for what you're going through. there are many good and effective anti-depressants you might not have taken yet, that can possibly help you. i've been on cymbalta for about 5 months now, after having tried zoloft, paxil, welbutrin, amyltriptiline, and many others...it's been working really well. you might require a combination of meds. if your parents aren't aware of how bad it's become for you, i urge you to call them so they can assist you in getting some good psychiatric care as-soon-as-possible. you've been through this before, so you know how important it is not to lose hope, and to let the people who care about you know what's going on. very best of luck to you. i'll be thinking about you.
EDITS: i take xanax also...and it is very helpful for me...without it, i can't leave my house for weeks at a time.

Answer 8

You need to be serious about this and not expect that "Yahoo Answers" is going to be able to resolve this for you. 14 is a serious age and so is this issue... I highly encourage you to discuss this matter either with the school nurse or make an appointment with your family doctor/pediatrician (if your parents carry health insurance) and will only cost you the co-pay (possibly could get waived). If you specify to the doctor that you want this to be kept confidential, but want your doctor to request for you to get a referral to a therapist, the doctor could make the necessary calls and make the suggestion to your parents (again without anybody knowing what is up). don't wait around for this mood to subside, there are wonderful doctors, treatments and medications that can truly help you.

Answer 9

well i have depression as well . I do know what your going though and it sucks big time.
In your question you said you were treated 2x and both times it seemed to have helped . So now you have to go again get another tune up so to speak. I wish there was a different answer but there isnt . You do I hope pray for strength to deal with all of this hard life .

Answer 10

There are many options you can take. I suggest following a steady medication in ADDITION to therapy does wonders. Definately helped me.

You need to start seeing a psychologist or counsellor so you can help to "rewire" the negative thought patters you have developed because of this chemical imbalance.

It sounds like it is quite severe, and by asing for help you are well on your way to recovery. You've got alot going for you, despite what it might seem. Hang in there.