I believe I just developed symptoms of depression recently. Although I plan to see a professional, I needed to get this off my chest.
I recently moved to a new city for a new job and the initial anxiety of being alone with no friends and out of school was understandable and manageable since there was always some optimism and hope associated with making new friends and facing the challenge of building relationships as an adult.
However, last night I started to feel that anxiety shift I felt a tightening in my chest that persisted and pulsed in about 30 minute intervals. There would be some relief at times, but it would come back. This morning, I felt much better, but the feeling still lingered and tonight, the same fearful feelings rose again, possibly worse than they were last night.
Am I experiencing depression? There is very little reason for me to feel this bad even considering the loneliness of my current situation. I have a great job and endless possibilities for making new friends yet I feel awful.
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Zeejet
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Those symptoms don't sound like depression to me altho I'm no doctor. You are quite right to realise that a new city and being out of school are circumstances that are likely to cause some anxiety. Its many years since I and my friends left University but I do remember that the change from being surrounded by friends of the same age and the wonderful social life ,to being alone at first in new surroundings and with the prospect of building a new social life gave many of us a difficult year or two. Even those who stayed on to do a Ph.D suffered as most of us moved on depriving them of many friends.
Fortunately the resilience of youth meant that most of us came through this OK and I'm sure you will ,but it certainly is a difficult time. Just hang in there and you will almost certainly find that things improve and if they don't see your GP before things get out of hand.
For me the problem was eased a bit because I stayed in the same general area and occaasional weekend reunions were possible which I think we all welcomed.
I believe this is a very real and very common problem for young people who qualify and then move to a first or new job but its not often mentioned.
Thanks for the support. I'm still feeling it a bit this morning although I was able to sleep for 8 hours.
I'll definitely see a professional about this.
Hi
I'm sorry that your feeling like this. It is hard for us to try and diag what your symptoms are as were not Drs and can only go by our own experiences.
It sounds to me like your experiencing some sort of panic attack. I get these when I'm anxious about something.
Is there something in your life that maybe your subconcious is picking up on and making you panic?
I am glad that your going to see a dr about this.
I would try and write down when you feel like this and what you might think is triggering it if poss.
Thanks for the support. I think the anxiety is also exacerbated by the fact that now I have to really think about my social health and future when in the past, school kept my immediate future fairly straightened out. I also went to grad school and the transition from college to grad school was far easier than it is now as everything was laid out.
I experienced similar feelings in my last year of grad school (earlier this year actually), which lasted about about 2 months as I was looking for work and prepping my dissertation. The cause was easy to identify (uncertainty about future when I did not have a job yet and there were still experiments to be done for my dissertation even though I was so close to graduating).
This time, I'm having a harder time identifying the problem. I think it's the transition to adult life in a new city, but this excites me and gives me optimism at the same time? It feels like these episodes have no legitimate rhyme or reason. Or perhaps it's anxiety regarding possible depression, which might be harder to treat.
Also, how long do these attacks last? I was under the impression that they came and gone but my "attack" lasted several hours and continues to bother me in the morning (although better than the last night).
I might pop over to the anxiety group as well since anxiety is probably the problem.
I must say that all my children were OK transferring from infant school to secondary school, they did however find the transition from secondary school to college and then university very hard and different.
They too stressed and had moments of panic. It is that realisation that you are becoming an adult and not everything is going to be laid out for you and you are going to make decisions about your future. It's a frightening thing and I remember those feeling very well, even though I'm a lot older 👍😊. I just ride to talk these things through with. Y children and listen to there concerns. Have you got anyone or fa ily you can talk to?
As a mum this is what I said to my children:
Firstly... Remember that most people will be feeling like you do, some just act well and some may be confident and don't.
Secondly....you can only do your best and that's all you can be expected to do.
Third....live your life how you want to, don't be influenced by others unless you feel it's helpful.
Fourth....no ones perfect and we learn by our mistakes.
Fith.....still enjoy your life, don't make work your master, as life's too short.
Sixth....Remember it's better to try things like jobs when your young and hopefully eventually get one you like, than stay in a job that you don't like and be miserable and have a breakdown when your older with family and mortgage etc.
Your twenties are for finding yourself and enjoying yourself!
Life can be an adventure, you just have to Roy to not let yourself get bogged down in it!
Look after yourself and take care.
Keep posting and let us know how you're getting on please.
My son became a police officer and my daughter got a first in her degree in French and Spanish and is now after trying a couple of jobs, has now found a job she's enjoying. We didn't pressure them, just supported them and let them find their feet.
Don't stress, it may take a little while to get the life you strive for, but being young you can do this.
This is such sage advise for kids as well as adults...you must be one amazing parent to have gone through so much and be so incredibly wise. If more children would get such assistance during transition times, there would be so much less anxiety and depression, not to mention people with no direction.
Have you ever considered writing a how to book? I think more would benefit from your experience!!
Thank you so very much for the very complimentary reply to my response. I am very flattered by it. It's very kind of you.
I was mentally and physically abused by my dad, then sexually abused and raped. I have lived through a lot of pain and had to work things our by myself and never want anyone I can help to go through things that I did. I never had anyone to talk to or help me and I feel it's important to help anyone who struggling.
Thanks for your support. Was your anxiety persistent like mine is now? I feel like my anxiety has a steady baseline than rises and falls every 10 minutes or so and hasn't stopped since Friday.
I'm getting help, but the fear of this being more serious than just growing pains is making it worse.
Can you get a relaxation tape off of u tube or breathing exercises. They really do help to calm you down and bring your Heat beat down. Then focus on something relaxing or positive. It really does help, even during childbirth breathing can help and help with pain too.
Please try to keep calm, there is light at the end and it can be controlled.
Depression is consistent upset. If you feel bad and it last for two weeks, you are possibly under the category of potential depression.
I understand there is a lot of pressure and loneliness when you move into a new environment, but you can still make some positive changes.
Firstly, you can still keep contact your old friends through social network. It is all online nowadays, isn't it? You may still seek support from them.
Secondly, you try to arrange your life as similar as to your old one, especially the good part. If you used to swim once a week, find the nearest swimming pool and do it regularly just as before.
Thirdly, enjoy the new things in your new place. There is a lot to explore, isn't exciting? And your new co-workers, what kinds of people they are?
I have moved to new countries two times, one is when I was 18, other is when I was 26. I feel the same as you in the first experience, but second I managed quite well. Thank to an article I read: It told me to keep some similarity from the old life to the new.
You will be more capable, at arranging your life, at communicating to people, then you will find your life or new life much at ease.
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