Young depression

Hello!I am Aria and I'm 26, maybe not as young as you but I still feel 21 haha :) I also have depression and it is not easy. I recently went through a bad time where I spent five days in my room without wanting to come out or eat which is not good for me either cause I am trying to recover from anorexia... sooo it is a bit a mess but I do try to get my shit together but I think that only us who go through this can know that is not always our will power's fault...

How do you cope?

I think depression is far more common than many people think.  Although I am now in my 60's, clearly remember in my mid teens the terrible, utter black hole of depression that I experienced and although, fortunately not for too long of an extended time period, have had short "lapses" of this through the years.  I can certainly empathise with OriginalUsername not wanting to talk to people she knows about this and also Aria88 that unless someone has "been there", not sure how anyone can really understand just how difficult it is and it's not a case of just "pulling yourself together".  I really think the best thing anyone can do (when they feel able) is to talk about it - and think Carenity is certainly a "safe" place to do this.  No one is alone experiencing depression although when feeling this, it feels like you are.  Hope this site helps and sure there are plenty of members here that can/will support you as/when you want /need.  Perhaps think about telephone support lines (? these may make you feel "safer", more comfortable than face-to-face situations)?  Thinking of you. x

aw thanks guys. how am I coping hmm well it's summer now and last summer and all the time before this year id be out every day but this summer I'm just isolating myself at home and pushed friends away so I feel very alone this summer so not coping very well. I'm kind of living in the future though, moving away next year for college and kind of hoping I'll have a fresh start then and this anxiety and depression will just kind of go away and I'll go back to my old self. That'll work right? Or do I have to 'deal' with stuff before this

Hi there, I'm Sinead .I'm 25 so near enough the same age as you guys. I've suffered with depression since I was in my early teens but didn't get diagnosed till I was 19 and in hospital. So far I have maintained a recovery since last November so nearly a year.My last relapse was due to medication not working any more. I am currently doing a combination of CBT and seeing a new psychiatrist.Things are better but I'm not going to lie its not easy working full time and undergoing therapy.I can understand why you push friends away Original Username.I have done that too.Its really difficult to answer back and its scary to tell them how you feel or ask them to listen and understand when you can barely do that yourself.Its also frustrating as deep down you want to see them .I think its great you are going to college and moving but college can be stressful and I have found that the stress can make my depression and or anxiety worse.Doing meditation and or yoga can help some people or CBT is great for breaking down the negative beliefs that maintain your depression and anxiety.I have found that building a good routine of exercise like walking or swimming or a class is great for lifting the mood and eating good food like oily fish and eggs and bananas.Dale Pinnock has good easy recipes for depression and anxiety .Its a struggle to build a lifestyle ,that helps you cope with your symptoms but I think that's the only way your depression and anxiety will become more manageable.I was the same hoping my depression would just go away once I started something new.But I learned the hard way that the change has to come from you .And you can do it .So I would say set a simple manageable goals ,that help you .Like go for a short walk .Or sit in the garden  every day for a half hour and build from there.I also found the less I over-think the easier it becomes.Unfortunately there is no magic solution .But I've found working on little goals and breaking down what I need to do far better then focusing on "dealing " with a mammoth issue.I hope this helps .But just so you know I'm still in the same boat as you ,its still a struggle but there are great positive people out there who can make it a little easier and help you make it easier for yourself over time.I also have to stay on medication but I don't mind as it does seem to help me stay vertical in the morning.But the last medication stopped working as we changed the level too much.Hope this helps.And best of luck with College OriginalUsername.

great advice @SineadiaG I really feel that I need to do some excercise and time for myself too. I've been thinking a lot that is not the same to be all alone in my room feeling bad as to take actual time to be with me and make my body and mind feel better. I think yoga will help. I didn't want to spend that much, cause they are expensive... but I think I need it, I haven't been ok lately, a lot of mood swings, one hour I love someone, the next I find it is a complete waist of my time, dunno!!! I feel like screaming and leting all out I feel frustrated.

@aria88

That annoys me too that classes and treatments can be so expensive.I know if you are down money can seem a real worry but if you can try to buy the generic medication sometimes you can save a fair bit of money I cut my pharmacy bill by nearly a third by switching to a generic medication.when you are feeling crap trying to find good dvds or classes is hard because you have to sift through loads of rubbish.I find that if you try a class you think the person is genuine and non judgemental that's not to dear ,with a pay as you go option that could work.I just google what's in my local area that's pay as you go .Or if you like a package deal ,you could save up for one  set of classes and do some videos of beginners stuff to get into it before you go.

.In some yoga classes they combine a bid of meditation which is really relaxing and gives me a better feeling towards my body.What I learnt about the mood swings is sometimes they are swings but sometimes people just will annoy you because you are feeling low already and tired. And its okay for your mood to change and be a little moody.

I used to try to feel calm and neutral all the time because I didn't like dramatic reactions .But its not natural to be calm all the time .So what I'm saying is maybe things are tough and that could be the reason you are feeling up or down ,but if its extremely different to how you are normally and there's no reason for your reactions to be so changeable then maybe talk to your gp or specialist ?

Its really positive you are aware of your emotions though.But don't overthink it.I have a habit of over worrying and that stops me from leaving my room .Now I have the motto to just do it ,it doesn't hurt and trying something will make you feel a lot better then wondering away to yourself.

Also for the wanting to scream sometimes I just write all my feelings down and keep writing not for analysing but to get it out.My friend Anna plays with paints other people practice boxing

.I usually just go for a really fast walk to somewhere with water and just sit and it generally lifts.I hope this helps and I'm sorry to hear that you too are struggling .I too struggle regularly even though I recovered my last episode but now I'm struggling with building confidence to do things .As I was so afraid it would come back.

My friends are all in long term relationships and finished college.I thought I met the love of my life and still struggle to forget him as it ended badly .But I have amazing friends and I have a better life because I'm grappling with the issues . I think you guys are all so brave because you are admitting your problems and trying to deal with them. I've met some people who are in denial and the fact that you guys acknowledge your issues and are trying to be happier and healthier means you guys will get there.I think we all can .

Hi there, I'm Ewan and I'm 38. I was first diagnosed with depression at the age of 21, but know now I had been affected by depression from a much younger age. I have been in hospital on three occasions with my mental health and I'm still alive and kicking! I have learned so much over the years about mental health and how it affects people and their beliefs,  especially about themselves .

I know I might be a bit old for this particular discussion,  but if you think I can help please let me know. I think forums like this are a great and safe way to speak to others with similar problems,  and help each other to try and resolve them. 

Hello @SineadiaG thanks for all your advice!!!! It helps a lot to see that I have people who understand and want to help.

@Carnoustie man I don't think that you are old at all so welcome to the conversation hehe.

I am having some good days lately, I am going out with friends and enjoying life a bit for a change, I even ate some chips yesterday, love them but never allow myself to eat them, but I was feeling 'wild' yesterday lol, but this worries me, maybe I have too many ups and downs... dunno

Hope everyone is doing fine

Hi, I am 19, nearly 20 and have had depression for about 5 years. In terms of dealing with it, I get support whilst I am at university as the student services team are very helpful when I feel like I'm not going to meet deadlines and get over stressed around exam times... But most of the time I just try to bumble on through (perhaps not the best idea), but one of my biggest fears is that everyone will find out and write me off. So I feel like I need to keep a front up, everyday. Besides, I hate the idea of people fussing over me when I have struggled through it on my own ever since I was diagnosed. I have recently started taking some antidepressants and I am currently taking sertraline, but how much they will help, only time can tell...

I can understand not wanting to talk to your friends about it, it can be very difficult to trust people, or at least it is for me.

Hope this helps, FluffyOwl :)

Fluffy owl, I am 38 now and I was first diagnosed with depression at 21, although I know it had been there for much longer. I am so glad you are seeking advice. I didn't and I ended up dropping out of university twice. Please don't make the same mistakes I made. People who generally want to help aren't "fussing over you", they do what they want to for the right reasons.  Stick in there, and try your best to enjoy uni and have that graduation day.

Sincerely Ewan