i m a 22 yr old girl suffering from chronic depression.i have a wonderful family but somewhere i dont connect?

Question

with anyone. i was very close to my sister but somehow since she has started working we have drifted apart and i always have something sad to share,i feel i put emotional pressure on her that's y she unconsciously doesnt prefer spending time with me.i love my parents but i have never been open either to my mom or dad.now the situation is i feel very very lonely and if i could i would actually cry throughout the day.i used to b quite popular with my friends and now i just hate socialising.i have changed so much that wherever i go people ask my parents what's wrong with riya.so many times i have thought of commiting suicide,i have no desire to live.i feel as though i m dragging my life and lately i have started feeling as though i m going mad,whenever i meet someone i have nothing to say.with my family also i dont talk much and they have somehow accepted this fact. i spend days without talking to anyone,i feel as though i m forgeting how to talk,i feel as though i m going insane.pls help

Answer 1

Hi riya. Well done for opening up, and saying out loud what you've been feeling. I went through a period in my life feeling something similar - I think you'll notice within a few hours a lot of people will write on here to tell you they've been there too, so you really aren't alone, depression affects so many people in all walks of life and in all stages of life. The people who have recommended talking to your GP are absolutely right, I don't know what country you're in so don't know your system, but usually there are specialist counsellors available to work with you one-to-one on finding your way out of this dark fog. Your GP might recommend anti-depressants too, as a temporary measure to give you a head-start on your journey - they don't work for everyone but they really worked for me - after a couple of weeks i started to feel like each day began at zero, mood-wise, instead of at minus ten. I no longer had to struggle to get through my daily routine. Exercise is another thing that can really help, could you get out for a walk for half an hour a day? or go swimming? It will help restore your hormone balance, and get your energy flowing again.

A combination of counselling and exercise will definitely work wonders for you. Anti-depressants might also be added into that mix, just rest assured that this awful stage you're going through doesn't have to be permanent. It happens to a lot of people, every day of the week, and you can find a way out of it. It'll be a struggle for the first couple of weeks, but momentum builds after that, and by the time summer is fully underway you should be feeling a whole lot better. Why not make that GP appointment right now and start the process?

best of luck and every good wish. XX

Answer 2

At twenty two, I had already been down that road; it is a truly sad path to follow. The first thing I would suggest is avoidance of any sort of chemical aids; antidepressants, alcohol or any other recreational drugs only exacerbate your condition. Focus on the positive; the fact that you are able to verbalize your concern is a positive thing. When I initially experienced depression, I kept it bottled up, thereby making it more difficult to attack the problem.
Journaling is an excellent way to get it out, so to speak. Write down what you are feeling, as you are feeling it. Put it away, then go back to it later on and read it over closely.
Walk in the woods, or park, if that is all that is available to you. Listen to the sounds of nature, really listen; you are a part of the world, a segment of the universal life spirit flowing through all living things. Draw from that fact that you are worthwhile, an essential part of the world. Draw a picture, write a poem, or a letter that you do not really intend to send to anyone.
Know that you are an intergrel part of all around you, that you touch many, and that their lives would be less than they are withou you being a part, even if it may seem that they are less than interested in your condition at the time. it is a most complicated morld right now, and most people are having a difficult time with one thing or another. Love yourself.

Answer 3

Dear Riya,
Get professional help to start with - speak to a psychologist.
In the mean time, do everything you can, to remain positive. You are not alone, all of us go through depressions of varying degree at some point of time in our lives. May be you should:
1. Try reading good books - The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and Be Confident and Fearless by Guy Finley.
2. To be happy, you have to search within - your happiness is not connected to any other person or thing.
3. If there is some issue that you haven't told anyone, speak out to someone who's close to you - if you can't talk to your parents, talk to good friends.
4. Read the teachings of great teachers - Christ, Krishna, Buddha.
5. Get back to being popular - try to socialize again, it diverts your mind from negative thoughts.
Just keep talking, that is the starting point.
Cheers!

Answer 4

If you really truely feel this way, know that you are not alone. I sometimes feel lonely even in a houseful of people. I used to have friends calling daily, and lately it's been awhile since talking to them. I used to not understand depression when people I knew claimed they were depressed, but I know it's very real. I don't have a magic answer, but do offer this. When I am feeling like this, I wait it out, and usually feel better soon. There are free and confidential phone numbers you can call, or maybe an e-group online. I am terrible at advice, but I hope I helped.

Answer 5

I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. I used to work as a RN on psych units for 20 years and have had chronic major depression myself for the past 7 years due to constant pain and disability.

All of the things you talk about are symptoms of depression. For whatever reason that you became depressed, the levels of one or more of the chemicals in your brain have gotten low and you need antidepressant medication to restore these chemicals to their natural level.

If you aren't on an antidepressant now, you need to get started on one. If you are already on an antidepressant medication, you need to have your doctor increase the dose or switch you to another one that might be more effective.

From your symptoms I can definitely tell that you need to be on antidepressant medication before you will start to feel better. I have had to have several antidepressants tried before my doctor and I found the combination that is most effective for me. I say combination, because one is not enough for me, I'm on two different antidepressants at the same time and also at the maximum dose of each.

Are you seeing a psychiatrist? A GP can prescribe antidepressants and if you are not on one, you might be able to see a GP much sooner. I do feel that you need a medication or increase in dose as soon as possible. I say this not only because I've been where you are and it's miserable to be there but also because the potential of suicide is an issue.

If you ever feel at risk for hurting yourself go to the Emergency Room at a hospital immediately. Going to an Emergency room now might be a good idea because you might be able to get started on an antidepressant right away.

As far as always talking to your sister and friends about sad things; those of us who have chronic problems have to try to talk about positive things and try to smile if we can. Other people are human and no matter how much they love us they can only hear so much sadness or they begin to burn out.

I understand that you may not be able to smile or talk of pleasant things. I couldn't either when I was more depressed, but even if you can only do this some times it will help.

I care about you as a person and my heart goes out to you. I have confidence that if you can get connected to a good psychiatrist and on effective antidepressant medication that you will feel much better.

By the way, the person who said that antidepressants don't work for everyone is not correct. All antidepressants work for a large number of people who have major depression. It's that a certain antidepressant will not work for everyone and that some will work better for a specific individual than others.

God bless you. He loves you and is active in your life to help you. Maybe this is the time that things will start to turn around for you and you will begin the road to recovery. You mail e-mail me anytime.

Answer 6

Everything you mentioned I can relate to. I dont know if you have seen a counselor or psychiatrist, but you should and don't be ashamed of it. Are you on any anti-depressant? I really want to help you email me if you'd like. I also got to the point where I felt like I was forgetting how to talk and I know what you mean when you said that. Just please dont do anything bad to yourself because from experience I can tell you that it will all get better. Contact me [e-mail]

Answer 7

It sounds like you need to talk to your doctor and see if he or she can put you some kind of medication to help you with that. I am a person that suffers from depression and a severe anxiety disorder and i am here to tell you as you well know that it is not fun. You really need to get in to see a doctor to see if he can help and if he has a name of a good therapist. Good luck

Answer 8

Dear Riya. now it is good that you have already understood your problems. deppression can be originated with this type of problems. but you will not be able to resolve these problems only by psychological support. you need support as well as drugs. drugs will regulate your brains chemical imbalance. please go and meet a doctor whom you can talk to freely. do it today it self. dont bother about previose relationship with your parents. tell them that you are feeling like this. let us know the results

Answer 9

See a doctor soon like tomorrow i suffer from depression and i can tell you that it only gets worse...seek help, and read the Bible psalms 31

Answer 10

I can't say I empathsize. My wholly unqualified and close to useless suggestions - see a psychologist. Or, read a book called 1984 by George Orwell.