New here and feeling lost

[awkwardpolarbear]

Hi. I've been suffering from depression for 17 years and have been having a really hard time lately. I've never done anything like this before but I'm so low I thought I might try it. My family tries to be supportive but my dad just tells me to go outside, get some exercise, etc which is really hard to want to do, and my mom just makes everything about her. I don't have a lot of friends that I can talk to about this and I feel bad for burdening them anyway. I am studying in a Caribbean country and feeling isolated. I'm not on any medication, haven't been for years, and not currently in therapy. I just don't know what to do anymore. Going to school here makes it hard to see a doctor when I go home for visits (I don't have a regular doctor) so I'm not sure that medication will be an option, and there aren't a lot of options here for therapy. I've gone to see a counselor on campus in the past, but I never felt supported or like they think I need therapy. I guess I'm just hoping I can find some people who are going through the same thing and can help me get out of this funk, though even just writing this out has helped me right now. I have so much studying to do and have no desire to do it, and I have finals in 2 weeks. Thanks for reading.

[Lily_Raven]

Sounds like therapist on your campus didn’t really hear you. Keep writing perhaps doing journaling if it helps. What degree are you hope to get?

[awkwardpolarbear in reply to Lily_Raven]

Yeah maybe I should start journaling. I've tried it in the past but have never been able to keep up with it. It's really hard for me to make new habits. Getting my feelings out seems to help though. I'm trying to get my DVM degree. I'm almost done with my pre-veterinary classes and hopefully will start the vet program in January.

[Lily_Raven in reply to awkwardpolarbear]

It sounds like you like animals, caring for them. Maybe focus on that and remind yourself why you are there when studying, at least till you finish finals.

[Lily_Raven in reply to Lily_Raven]

Btw I used to work at animal hospitals, most of vet study on St. Kitts.

[awkwardpolarbear in reply to Lily_Raven]

Thank you, for the advice. Sometimes I forget the important things, like why I'm actually here. Helping animals has always been my dream.

[Lossisgain]

Hello, a close friend has been through a divorce (wife and kids left) and he was really depressed. He told me that what helped him the most was writing down 7 things which he was thankful for every day. At the beginning it might be hard to write 7 but you can start with 1.

I would also like to ask you what happened 17 years ago that you think could have made you depressed. I try to to analyze my life, my thoughts, the things that I have been through and see what the cause is.

[Hidden]

I think what might really help you is if you could find a "Person centered" counsellor. There are different sorts of counsellor and if one gives the impression that whatever you're saying isn't worth listening to then they're NOT person centered. They will not judge you. OK, you may not need "therapy" in the same way a physical problem needs treatment, psychological wellbeing is not like that. If you feel you need help, then you deserve help.