Advice Please (Anything is appreciated!)

[haileym13]

Hi Everyone! I'm new to this and just wanted to ask something. So, I've always had pretty bad depression and anxiety, but I just recently realized how much it is impacting my life. It is impacting relationships with friends and family (I actually have none now) and even like my success. I used to be very motivated, smart, and an overachiever. You could say I was above average in school, but now I am definitely not. I am in college and don't want to do anything, even if that means I'll be a garbageman. I am easily below average now. I've gotten into alcohol pretty heavily and I don't know what to do, I just need help. Any advice?

[LilyAnnepuppy]

I understand self medicating using alcohol. Sometimes a drink or two can relieve emotional pain and stress Unfortunately I turned out not to be one of of those social drinker types who could come home from work and have a glass of wine. Then after winding down they go on with their evenings. Not me. Once I have a drink, I have to have another and another. Alcohol is my first go to treatment for pain but it only made me worse and exacerbated the symptoms I was trying to cure. Was led into treatment for alcoholism- a disease of its own. I’m on this Depression Anxiety site to treat this newly diagnosed mental illness. But I can’t drink and expect treatment to work. I need meds and counseling and the booze would work against that. Don’t know if my story helps at all. And I wish you well.

[fallen_leaf]

Have you tried therapy or medicine for the depression? I was first diagnosed in college and skeptical that medicine could help but it did. One semester I dropped out and then started again slowly with just one class then two. Do you have college resources that can help? Like a student health center or student support groups?

[froggymom88]

Hi Haileym13 and welcome. I'm glad you are reaching out here. You are very young and have your whole life ahead of you. You seemed to be on a good path so I wonder if something happened that made you change from a good student with friends to what you are feeling now? Can you share a little more?

[magicwitch]

First off, you are very brave to share how you feel. You are NOT alone. Depression can be a lifelong issue. I know what you are going thru-I went thru that in college, pushing people away, just wanting to be alone, but lonely. I encourage you to reach out...talk to a counselor at your college- I did that and it was a start that helped me. Take it one breath at a time.