Possible depression

I'm in my final year of University and I'm sure you can imagine the stress and anxiety that comes with that. In the past year i've had some on going medical conditions namely Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) which means my heart beats abnormally fast sometimes for no clear reason. Add this all into one bag and for the last few months I've been constantly off my appetite, falling asleep at 2am-5am and waking up at odd hours if not every hour so you can see on the average night I probably get an average of around 2-3 hours restful sleep and the rest is broken and restless. I'm constantly on edge and find myself somewhat a little jumpy and jittery but not necessarily fidgety. I've lost interest in things and have unintentionally managed to seclude my self by not having the capacity anymore to deal with small talk or people and I think my family can sense me withdrawing though I don't mean to. I find myself practically biting the skin off my lips and around my finger nails and have developed other numerous "nervous" tendencies. I know I'm dealing with a lot of pressure but I'm not sure if as this has been happening for the best part of a few months, if I'm depressed or just under the weather? Any advice is appreciate.

[Natsteveo]

Hello Hidden

Welcome to our community,

Wow you've been through it haven't you you must be under so much pressure you probably don't even know if your coming or going...you have so much stress no wonder your feeling the way you do it's totally understandable...studying alone is distressing but to have IST as well is a huge thing to deal with..

The sleeping pattern will more than likely be that you are absolutely exhausted but your brain downturn seem to want to switch off do you do lots of brain activity before you go to sleep for example go on ipad/computer or even study if you do try and come off it about a hour and half before you get in bed to give your mind chance to relax you have so much to deal with its tiring you out physically and mentally...and your picking of the lips and skin and being fidgety that's typical anxiety disorder and a big help from your nerves too you need to go see a doctor explain how you are feeling and what your going through ask him for something to calm you down a bit don't worry it won't effect what you do it will just learn you to switch off and give you some well deserved 'rest as what your feeling I think has been a long time coming it's just build up and built up its exhausting you. But I'm not a professional please go have a chat with your Dr first then take things easy from there.. you've come to the right place you are not alone my friend this will pass eventually but you need a little rest and a full nights sleep you will be surprised how good you feel when you've had a good night's s sleep. I do hope this has helped you a little

Keep in touch

Nat😀

[Hidden in reply to Natsteveo]

Thank you Nat, I really appreciate the advice

[PaulJj]

Hello TheLostWander

The great thing is there is advice, other people and medication that can help you feel better and will help you to cope and then improve your situation. It feels like you are alone but see your doctor and things will start to get better!

Best wishes

Paul

[icDavey]

Having been a life-long sufferer of low-grade mental illness, your symptoms look very serious to me. What advice? Find a way to reduce that stress! And I mean by extreme measures if necessary. You have only 5-6 months to go until you have your degree. I know it is an important goal but it is killing you! You and not just "under the weather, You need rlief! Obviously you can't quit school - I mean, you could, but that has its own emotional cost. This is gonna sound flippant but I am dead serious - start drinking! Not to excess, just for maintanance. Keep a buzz on so you can still function but relax. That is not the best solution. Cannabis is probably a better one but is it legal where you are? Another possibility is diazapam (Valium). I don't know if you can get a doctor to prescribe those but they would be your best, most legal and least intoxicating solution. You have stressed yourself to the limit. I hope you are not planning on grad school. I don't know if you are built for the academic life. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to icDavey]

Thank you for the advice. I agree quitting uni is not the answer for me and I am definitely not pursuing grad school! I can't say I've suffered from mental illness as a life-long thing but then again everyone has their ups and downs as its unavoidable. I agree however that I think it's gone a bit far for me. In regards to drinking, I cant drink as i have Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) which means my heart beats extremely fast at random times for no reason and as a result I dont have alcohol, caffeine or chocolate. I have however started to try and plan my days and I think having a routine in place is helping me to feel more in control of what is going on and I've started to read and the beginning and end of my day so that my mind has a break from the real world for an hour or two. I do plan a trip to the docs and hopefully these small changes of my lifestyle will make a huge change on my health.