work is too much

[vinnie18121]

I am having so many problems with my depression and anxiety lately. I don't know what to do. I feel like I can't handle working full time. I cry so many times during work and it's hard to hide. Being here makes me anxious and it's so hard to get through a shift even though it's not a hard job. I desperately want to quit or switch to part time. But I would feel like a failure. I'm a college graduate so I should be doing better than this. I don't want to do any careers that come with my degree. Going back for a different degree doesn't seem like something I'm ready to do plus people would judge me bc I only graduated like a year and a half ago. But also, I'm only 23, I'm living with my parents so I don't have to pay rent, and I have quite a lot of money saved up. Should I just go to part time and try to enjoy life when I'm young? Maybe take a couple classes to see if I am interested in another major? Or should I hold out and see if a mediciation works and I'm able to keep doing a job I'm not passionate about but it keeps me self sufficient? Even knowing that I might feel better in a few months seems too long. I really want advice of people who have been there bc I don't know anyone who has experienced the same thing as me

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Vinnie,

Welcome to our supportive community. Well done for taking a brave step out of your comfort zone to reach out for help. Hopefully, you will begin to find folks here are only too willing to come alongside you and share from their personal journeys and experiences.

You are obviously having a difficult time right now, but you are young and have everything to live for. Not many young people know what they really want to do in life, and often go to University because that's the expected thing to do, but without considering whether the course or degree they take will be of actual use in finding employment later. You are not alone in this. It may help to see a career development advisor who could discuss your likes/dislikes, interests, skills etc and explore a range of different options. At some point, you will need to leave home and stand on your own two feet.

In respect of your mental health problems, ask for more help from your medical professionals, there's a whole range of talking therapies that can help you, medication helps, but it's often more effective alongside therapies such as CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy), where you are helped to explore and address negative, unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, and challenged to try new ones.

In the meantime, do check out our Pinned Post section for free mental health guides, international crisis support helplines etc.

Keep your chin up, you have taken the first step in reaching out for help from this forum.

Best wishes, MAS Nurse