Depression

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hi guys.</p>

<p>I've never been diagnosed with depression, but I'm 100% sure I have it, and have had it for years, since middle school or earlier. It runs in my family, and I have many of the symptoms.</p>

<p>I go through periods of things being okay (not good, but I can deal with it), and then I go through much longer periods of severe depression. I'm in one of these episodes right now, and it's been going on for just over a year. </p>

<p>I just finished my sophomore year, and it was awful... I couldn't study, my GPA dropped, I stopped having a social life, and it was nearly impossible to do anything but lie in bed all day. This isn't laziness... I literally can't make myself do things, it's so hard to explain. I have no motivation, nothing I try to get myself motivated works, and everything seems hopeless. I just want to sleep all day, and although I wouldn't kill myself, I think about it a lot.</p>

<p>I'm majoring in Biology, which is tough enough as it is without adding depression. I want to be a veterinarian, and a bad year is really going to hurt my chances of being accepted into vet school. And at this point, I feel like giving up on college.</p>

<p>I don't know how to handle this. I tried the college counseling center, and they didn't help me. Because of crappy health insurance, a crappy doctor whose answer to everything is "take a multivitamin," and parents who "don't believe in depression" (yes, despite the family history), I have no way of getting treatment, therapy or meds. </p>

<p>I'm at a loss. I don't want to be this way. I just want to be happy and normal and be able to continue with school. But my depression started out mild, and every year it gets worse and worse, and I'm now on the verge of suicide, so I know I need to stop pretending this will get better on its own...</p>

2

<p>What did your college health center say? If you’re having thoughts of suicide, I’m sure try would take this serious enough to find you medication/therapy. You have to be honest with them though and tell them you’ve had thoughts of suicide.</p>

<p>It sounds like that would be your best bet if you’re doctor won’t help you.</p>

3

<p>Sorry to hear that you are in a tough spot. Give yourself credit for continuing to improve your situation, even when other people are discouraging you. </p>

<p>Make an appointment with a new primary care doctor in the same practice as your current “multivitamin” doctor. If someone is not taking your medical complaints seriously, then it’s time for a second opinion, whether it is for medication or a referral to an in-network mental health specialist. Or contact the Samaritans. They provide volunteer and professional-led counseling services and specialize in providing referrals.
[Samaritans</a> USA](<a href=“http://www.samaritansusa.org%5DSamaritans”>http://www.samaritansusa.org)
Take care,
Lavalamp316</p>

4

<p>Have you looked into clinical trials nearby your school (or possibly run by your school)? All the advice you’ve gotten is basically what I would have suggested. I know that when money was an issue and things like that, research hospitals usually have things going on and if you qualify you could get some treatment that way, if you feel that’s okay for you</p>

5

<p>You say that you’ve been diagnosed but what is your treatment. You should be consulting with a MD and a therapist. From my POV, I’d consider meds, especially considering the ability to barely function. Also, school must take a backseat to your health. The good news is that you are so very young that it doesn’t matter if you graduate a couple of years late.</p>

6

<p>I’ve battled MDD for almost a decade and you definitely have the symptoms (I am NOT a professional- please don’t take my word for it). The fact that you recognize there’s a problem and have sought help is a testament to how strong you are. Most people with depression can’t do that. </p>

<p>I would try going back to the counseling center. It is possible that you got someone who was new or was just BAD. Depending on where you live, you can try dialing 211 for resources or a local crisis line. They can direct you to specific resources based on what’s available to you. Community Mental Health (or whatever it’s called where you live) is another good resource. </p>

<p>Please call 800-273-TALK if you want to hurt yourself. They can help. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>