Advice

[Radel]

Hello, hope everyone is having a good day so far. I need some advice, so my depression fluctuates continuously (as most of you must know) and sometimes days are really bad where I can’t leave my room and then I have some good days when I’m okay. But I’m getting tired and it’s affecting my academic performance, one semester I’m doing well and the following I’m flunking all my courses. I went to a therapist and she told me I have burn out syndrome so my energy is more or less depleted. She put me on Lustral but I don’t really feel a difference? So I’m contemplating taking a semester off next year but I’m afraid it would make things worse, like I won’t be able to get back to the academic flow. But I’m afraid that if I don’t things are just going to keep getting worse. So what do I do?

[MommyBro]

I've never heard of that diagnosis nor of that medication. It might not hurt to get a second opinion, although in the part of the US it's very hard to get an appointment, even if you have decent health insurance. Meanwhile, try to take a deep breath and look at your situation as objectively as you can. I don't think it will help to take a semester and flunk everything. Could you take fewer courses for a semester? Are you also employed? I fear I would have a difficult time getting back in the academic flow if I took a semester off, but both of my daughters had to do it for financial reasons and ended up getting back on track (one recently graduating with honors! ). I am hopeful and confident that you will be okay, even if it takes longer than you would like. I had similar troubles in college, and much later a psychiatrist who was treating me said it seemed to him that my correct diagnosis was actually Bipolar II. He prescribed different medications, and it did help.

[Radel in reply to MommyBro]

I replied a week late!! Im sorry for being so late it’s been a horrible week but thank you so much for replying!! So burnout syndrome is just and added thing to my depression, I’m clinically diagnosed with depression and burnout syndrome just indicated that my energy is completely depleted and I have no will to do anything. Lustral is an antidepressant like Zoloft but just sold under a different name. I already took 4 courses this semester as opposed to the regular five that I usually take. I am not employed no, I was thinking of starting tutoring next academic year tho. I don’t know it’s just I’m not hopeful for my future at all, my GPA is low so even if I work hard I can’t raise it by much past sophomore year. I feel suffocated on bad days so I was hoping to take a semester off to try and do something other than academics, use my brain for something else, something more personalized. But I’m scared, it’s encouraging to see that your daughters went back so maybe there’s hope. I try to stay positive on other aspects of my life but with the academic aspect I just feel helpless, and I feel like I’m on the wrong path but I have no alternative to offer as the “right path”. Thank you for your time and kind words ☺️

[Choosejoy]

Maybe lighten your class load. Give youself some breathing room. I know what it's like to be frozen in fear. Don't let the fear control you. You're not alone. I am learning the millions of us who deal with these issues. Keep moving forward.

[Radel in reply to Choosejoy]

I already did lighten my class load but it’s not helping. I feel like not attending most of the time. The minute I open my eyes the first thought that comes to my head is “I don’t wanna go”. It’s not only fear, you’re right about that aspect I shouldn’t let it control me, I just feel like a financial burden on my parents and it’s driving me INSANE! My university is very expensive, I’m already receiving financial aid but it’s still difficult to keep up with the payments. Even if I feel like I’m in the wrong major I refuse to change it because I just want to graduate and not become that burden that I am now on my parents, I just want to lessen their load. I don’t know I’m just tired and helpless. I’m so sorry for answering a week late! My week’s been pretty bad so far but thank you so much for replying!!!

[Choosejoy]

I am much older than you. But I can remember those exact feelings. I remember studying my brains out because I would not allow myself to fail. I had to be able to support myself and free up my parents. I never spoke to my parents about those feelings. I put it all on myself. By my third semester I would literally vomit every Monday. I kid you not. I was so stressed out. I made it through with honors. Do you think talking to your parents would help? Are you thinking you need a different major? My own children took out student loans. Is that an option? College is essential to get a job that pays well. Just some thoughts. You don't need to answer unless it helps you. It's a new week ( :

[MommyBro]

Another thing to consider: in the USA, especially in your generation, it has consitantly been promoted that every student needs to go to college to get a good job. These days some college graduates are doing well, and others are just scraping by. I have been looking for a new job and have been doing a lot of reading and going to seminars and job fairs, and one thing I've heard A LOT is that there just aren't enough people in "skilled trades", people that build, things, fix things, maintain things, such as mechanics, carpenters, electricians, people that can build and maintain all sorts of machines I don't know about. A lot of these people are reaching retirement age, and there aren't enough people to step into their shoes. These occupations do require further education, certifications, licenses, etc. But a lot of these people make very good money. And a lot of their employers are in so dire need of their replacements that they even will help pay for this training. I believe in college level education for the sake of being well educated, but a person does not necessarily have to have a college diploma to have a satisfying, challenging, interesting job that pays well.