introduction

[ts116]

i am 18 years old and it’s been a year since i got hospitalized on a 51-50 psych hold. though i’ve been doing somewhat better this year, starting college, moving out, and not having my own space has really taken a toll on my progress. i feel myself returning to thinking about suicide often and feel guilty for doing so because of the opportunities i have in school now. feeling lost and wondering if anyone has anyway to relate or has any advice to give

[PacTedBud]

I am a college student and suffer from anxiety and depression. The only advice I can give is to attend the counseling center on campus. Which most campuses tend to have a counseling center. If not oyu can ask a professor for advice. It helps to make friends on campus who may be suffering from the same mental health issues. Finding effective coping mechnisms such as finding a hobby, keeping your mind busy on positive things such as maybe doing yoga or some other activity that keeps you buys. It is hard going off to college for the first time, leaving home and being in a new environment, but it does get easier once you get settled and start making friends.

[ts116 in reply to PacTedBud]

Did you find that living on campus made things harder for you? i feel like not having a space for myself has been really hard when i’m at my lows.

[PacTedBud in reply to ts116]

I would say yes and no. There were times when college makes my anxiety and deppression worse, it just really depended on the classess I was taking and the amount of self- care I was giving to myself. I find that the harder the classess the easier my anxiety and depression is advanced.

but really just having that 1 person to talk to makes things easier to deal with your mental health. I vent to my boyfriend or my sister about what is going on. But I know other people who have a favorite professor, a close friend they made on campus, or even find solace at the counseling center once a week. You just have to find what best works for you. There are a lot of individuals at my college that has their pets with them as an emotional support animal that could be an option for you to look into.

[wordgirl10]

You’ve accomplished a lot in the last year that you can be proud of. Starting college in itself is huge. Don’t lose sight of that. Sometimes all we can do is baby steps — but baby steps get you somewhere. Please do consider finding the campus counseling service— it’s probably fairly inexpensive for students — and maybe look for a support group for depression and anxiety. Are you on meds? Is it time to ask your doctor to take a look as to whether they are helping you all they could? As to thoughts of suicide: remember, depression robs us of good thoughts and almost encourages us to sink into a hole. You are smart and worthwhile and moving forward even though that’s hard. Try to see that. You matter.

[ts116 in reply to wordgirl10]

I appreciate your responses so much. since i don’t have insurance from my school i don’t think i can use the counseling resources but i have been trying to find support groups around me and i think that could be a really good first step. super grateful for the suggestions and support

[Hidden]

You sound alot like I did at 18. Minus the fact that you're in college and that is awesome, congratulations! The only advice I can give since I can't relate to the college part is this, don't believe that you will feel this way forever. This world has a way of kicking you when you're down. Things do get better, and the psych holds I've been on sucked. So if you can talk to your doctor, and maybe try something. Right now I'm on zoloft and it had worked fairly well to manage my anxiety, I wasn't depressed at the time when I started it. Being where you are is horrible and I'm sorry you're feeling that way. Try to see the good, and that is easier said than done. Mental health issues suck. It literally took me having my youngest son to snap me out of my depression. From the moment he was born he was in heart failure, and that was so horrible to see him go through what he did. He fought so hard to be here. It gave me a new perspective. Here I was trying to end my life, and this brand new baby fought with everything he could to keep his. He survived 2 open heart surgeries and septic shock all by the time he was a little over a month old. I know that might not help, but maybe there is someone in your life who is fighting to be here that could be an inspiration to you. I hope so much that your situation improves, and you start to see your your worth! It might not seem like you matter or that you feel like there is no point in being here, but that is so far from the truth. You have a purpose. And it will eventually get better!

[batmasterson]

campus counseling usually does take students without school insurance check in to it.