Depression and Anxiety

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hello, since everyone is so busy, I'll keep this topic short.</p>

<p>From 9th grade up until now (end of 10th grade), I've had a very powerful depression. It mostly came from my father, who always used violence against me (this was always the case, but in high school, I became self-aware), as well as feeling very left out (that is, everybody else had a mom, siblings, a safe place to go to, and I had JUST moved to a new school...it seems that I'm the only one who isn't normal.)</p>

<p>I used to play alot of chess, and also liked some puzzles. However, at 9th grade, I couldn't focus anymore from the depression, and I'm still at a pause with chess.
In order to escape the sadness, I used to do some math, in order to avoid the painful feeling. I aimed for MOP this year, and it wasn't out of my expectations (that is, everybody else, as well as me, thought I would get in). Instead, during the Olympiad, my anxiety took over all of my thoughts, and I had a mental breakdown during the test. I didn't make MOP, but managed to scrape up Honorable Mention. </p>

<p>Also, my grades have been steadily dropping ever since I moved here. 9th grade had mostly A's, 1st semester 10th grade had all A's in every subject, and now I think every subject is a B or C, which is obviously, horrible. I've felt like quitting my other activities, like Academic Team, because I couldn't control my jealousy of people's happy lives, and it's been leading me to be very paranoid and cynical of everybody else. My 'friends' don't even believe i have some sort of mental illness, even when some stranger comments me on being 'very emo'. I've almost starved myself, from not eating anything. I've also considered suicide a long time.</p>

<p>I can't go to a counselor or therapy, because my father would only laugh, and I feel too cynical of everyone else.</p>

<p>I just wanted to know, if colleges (especially MIT, Caltech) could give me a second chance, and overlook this.</p>

2

<p>I think your biggest concern should be dealing with your emotional and mental problems, and not what college you’ll be going to in years.</p>

3

<p>I’m thinking that college will save me from all of this, even though it’s still 2 years away. I’ve tried everything I can to get rid of the depression, and nothing has worked, which makes it even more frustrating. I’ve considered moving to a new school, just to give me some (little) hope that I can feel normal again.</p>

4

<p>I think you should really find the root of your depression, but to answer your question, I’m sure if you write an essay explaining what you went through in high school it will give the college a perspective of what you experienced.</p>

5

<p>If anything, going to college without will exemplify your problems. Don’t idealize it as the solution to your troubles. Btw, your dad hitting you sounds like domestic abuse. Please, report it to your GC or some other adult.</p>

6

<p>How would your dad figure out you were talking to your GC? I’m sure if you asked him/her they wouldn’t tell your dad.</p>

7

<p>As an adult, I’m urging you to talk to your guidance counselor. Your school should have a social worker who will be looking out for YOUR best interest.</p>

<p>Please do not delay. My two sons, 17 and 19, have severe mental illness. My 11th-grader has been so distraught that people from a crisis agency have gone to school to help him. There are a LOT of resources out there!</p>

<p>fascination is right - things will only be harder in college. My 19-year-old had to drop out of his school to move home and go to our local university.</p>

<p>I want to encourage you, though. Both of these young men are doing well with therapy and medication.</p>

<p>I also see a counselor, because this has been stressful for me, too. She said it is VERY common for young people with mental health issues NOT to have support from their families. So you’re not alone, and your school counselors should be able to help.</p>

<p>Please let us know what happens! I will be thinking of you.</p>

8

<p>Find an outlet, you don’t need to man up, you just need confidants. My recommendation: speech teams have a poetry event, and with more truth, come more awards. Not only could you find an outlet, you could find something you’re good at. </p>

<p>I know you’re looking at MIT and Caltech, but I feel like some speaking activity would help. My greatest strengths are in math but I find it interesting and fun to find a way to project thoughts.</p>

9

<p>I’ve gone through allot of what you’re saying you’ve gone through, and I can tell you that the complete changes brought about by college (or any other life changing event)are not going to save you from depression. As others have noted, it will probably be worse.</p>

<p>If you talk to your GC they legally CANNOT tell your parents anything unless you’re thinking about hurting yourself or someone else. There are anonymous options too. Suicide hotlines are, while they sound scary, viable alternatives to keeping quiet. </p>

<p>There’s no “quick fix” to depression. It just gets worse. The terrible thing is that you don’t believe anyone else can understand exactly what you’re feeling. Fixing depression is a process , you have to be committed to finding a solution, even if some people think you’re wrong.</p>

10

<p>Look, you’ve had a rough life. Harder than most. But it doesn’t define who you are, and remember that what doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger. Cliche, yes, but ultimately true. </p>

<p>Like other people have said, you don’t know if college will fix all your problems. Yes, being away will undoubtedly be good for you, but you may just find a new reason to be unhappy, such as knowing that all the kids around you have a nice family to go home to at Christmas. I say this not to make you upset, but to make you aware. Depression is largely an illness you can’t control alone, and one that is the result of unbalanced chemicals in your brain. My advice would be to talk to your guidance counselor, or any adult you trust. Doctor-patient confidentiality would prevent your father from hearing about you going to a psychiatrist.</p>

11

<p>Yes you need to find an outlet of people. For me it was my cousins and nerdy but faithful friends. Don’t let your father take over your life. Let the joy from your friends and dreams overcome that depression. I always remember that with hard work I can be someone great. You can be great too. remember that. Your father ^no matter how much he tries cannot take that hard work ethic away from you. It’s a powerful weapon against depression and loyal aid in life. Hard work ethic and friends. Use them wisely.</p>

12

<p>Yes colleges can overlook your mistakes if you show an incredible comeback. That would also be a fantastic essay topic. Talk to your guidance counselor to make sure he/she incorporates that into your recommendation and he/she will also help you out. Finally find better friends. You can tell by their cadavers. The nice friends don’t cuss all the time or insult everyone. They overlook your faults. They are usually shy and at the bottom of the social ladder. But you can form a solid group of people to lean upon. Finally I’ve found that if you fake happiness long enough you’ll become happy. Try it. Just wear a big smile on your face and say hi to everyone even though you don’t feel like it. Strike up conversations. People will gravitate towards you and you will feel loved and worthy as you truly are. Best of luck and never forget that your dreams are always yours to pursue!</p>

13

<p>Sorry, mistake. you can tell by their characters not cadavers LOL.</p>

14

<p>Get to a therapist or counselor.</p>

15

<p>I, too, have suffered from depression and anxiety. One of the important things I’ve learned is that depression comes from within and it will not suddenly change in a different environment. You need to accept your depression and not be a victim of it. Once you accept that you can be a survivor you’ll be more likely to move forward because as a victim you cannot escape your depression. Read ‘Man’s search for Meaning’ Viktor Frankl, I think that could inspire you.</p>

16

<p>A lot of the time, depression stays with you even if you remove the source. I do not think going to college will solve your problem. That being said, though going to a top-tier college might be your dream, do you think that the rigorous course load and pressure could make your depression worse?</p>

17

<p>I am going through a very similar time right now. Severe anxiety and depression have made school difficult, although I’ve been lucky enough to scrape by on my intelligence alone. It is really a problem of self-esteem. I am obsessed with perfection, and it’s really been destroying me. Luckily, my parents are supportive and I am taking medication and seeing a therapist. I urge you to do the same, if possible. Talk to your GC and see what options you have. Also, if your school knows about it, you may be able to get extra time on test and exams and such due to your anxiety. My school has been very generous in that sense. </p>

<p>It’s great that you are excited for college, but you need to be healthy to succeed there. Make that your goal, and work hard to achieve it. Do what you love, and things will be more bearable.</p>

18

<p>It’s not about the courseload…it’s about realizing that in your whole life, you never had much of a good interaction with a parent, and it’s scary how you’re merely going to be eaten up in the end from your weaknesses. From 9th grade to 10th grade, my high school was actually much easier (like it really matters) compared to my middle school, because I moved from a local, charter school (nationally ranked, however). But I lost the motivation to do anything anymore, because I’ve seen how always, people (not just teenagers) will lie, cheat, and exclaim their luck in life, and it bothers me very heavily, that reality is just…a bunch of BS.</p>

19

<p>You CANNOT control the actions of others. You can control your own, and your reaction to what others do. If you work hard and remain honest, you will succeed. You need to change your mindset!</p>

20

<p>Remember cheaters always get caught. And the longer they cheat the harder they fall.</p>