Possible depression, any advice?

[dsm]

[akishore]

I kept trying to work, couldn't get anything done, so I did something else for 15-30 minutes, returned, still couldn't get anything done, etc. And again, I didn't get proper sleep. So tired of this.

I guess I'm taking a big step here for myself, but I just made an appointment to see a counselor (not sure if it'll be a psychologist or a psychiatrist or neither) today.

Thanks everyone for the help. It really is helpful reading that people have had similar experiences. Hopefully I'm over this really soon, I've never felt so out of control / helpless before.

[VoraciousReader]

Counselor is good. It is pretty much never a bad thing to talk to someone. Someone that is an unbiased listener and will give you perspective.

You don't sound like you need medication.

Honestly, the fresh air/exercise people are dead on.

I have battled depression for 15 years. It recurrs. However, when I start to notice my ability to function declining, I try to start modifying my behavior in the following ways:

1) Exercise at least 6 days per week.
2) Spend 30 minutes outside in the sunshine, daily.
3) Eat 3 nutritious meals a day. (A 4 pm breakfast of cold pizza, some hot wings at a bar while getting trashed, and a 4 am Taco Bell run do NOT constitute 3 nutritious meals.)
4) Call friends and family and schedule activities...appointments that require me to shower, dress, and meet someone for something other than work.

This will often bring me up to a level where I can function normally.

Edit: I edited in "try to". I'm far from perfect.

[VoraciousReader]

Oh, and 5) (this one is tough while you are in college, but you need to do it) Schedule a time to go to bed and a time to wake up. Stick to it. Don't sleep or lie in bed outside of sleep time, even if you don't sleep much during sleep time.

I have been medicated for depression several times, including now. But the disabling part I can kind of manage myself. There are other reasons that I am on the medication at the moment, which you don't seem to have. But you may PM me if you like.

[Lonhro]

I always thought the term 'depression' was just an excuse for someone who doesn't have the willpower to do the things they need to do in order to live 'happily'. Or perhaps that's just my excuse for feeling like you all the time.

[The X-Factor]

Sounds like you still love her. Go back and make things right with your girl. Play her "Walked outta heaven" by Jagged Edge

[KyrosMother]

IMHO, junior year in college is the toughest. And breaking up with a long-term girlfriend is even tougher. Most people have given you really good advice (get out, move, do something) - but that is easier said than done sometimes. Usually, the only people who can truly understand that are people who have been there.

You may be "clinically" depressed and you may not be. You could just be really sad right now and need some time to cope with it. But, if you let it go on, it will not get any better. And drinking will make it worse.

You have done the right thing by seeing a counselor. And if you don't like this one, find another one. Regardless of how unhappy you are - if you can't get up and go to classess and do you work - then you have problem. The fact that you recognize it is really good. That is the first step to handling it and getting your life back in order.

And of course, I will ask - can you talk to your parents?

[seaweed]

stay off of facebook. make sure you do some cardio (if not a lot) every day. if you still don't feel better after awhile, then see a psychiatrist, NOT just a GP.

[swede123]

[ QUOTE ]
Blarg, it amazes me how you're constantly right about 99% of the time. [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Blarg is funny that way. Most of the time he's amazingly insightful and right on point, but that one percent he strikes out like no one else =)

Swede

[DrewDevil]

You guys with the suicide references are really [censored] hilarious. Why don't you all [censored] off and die.