[witch4life]

My adoptive mother always tells me that when you become an adult everything kind of just opens up for you, is this true? All the adults out there what do you think of this?

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by witch4life

My adoptive mother always tells me that when you become an adult everything kind of just opens up for you, is this true? All the adults out there what do you think of this?

Hey. In a way your adoptive mother is right. But what it opens up to depends on you.

[bananna215]

haha, I guess it all depends on the person you're asking & the specifics you're referring to here. some things get better, but it seems for me that many have gotten worse... what exactly are u talking about?

[palmdalegirl]

Originally Posted by witch4life

My adoptive mother always tells me that when you become an adult everything kind of just opens up for you, is this true? All the adults out there what do you think of this?

Life becomes more clearer, and you become more content with your circumstances. Like the other poster stated, what we open it up to does depend on us. I wish you happiness in your journey through life.

[VeronicaPI]

As an older adult I can say age has little to do with depression. I did not experience depression until I was in my 40's. Once I was diagnosed I just thought of it as something I will live with the rest of my life. The way it can get better is to find what works for you to deal successfully with the dark days. Maybe because I am older I may be more apt to use the techniques I have learned to help me through the rough times. I am always reading about something new I can try too. In order to be in recovery and look forward to managing your mental illness, it takes hope, healing and empowerment (the 3 components of recovery)

[Cowboybud]

It gets worse, if anything.

[Lisa Michelle]

Life CAN open up to you when you become an adult. If you have dreams and aspirations, adult life is where you can do those things. You can study things you find interesting, you can travel, you can meet so many different people, you can fall in love, get married, have kids... whatever you want.
If you have depression it can be different, because that sort of stops you enjoying these experiences even if they do happen (in my opinion at least).

I think your thoughts change as you get older. I do believe that you learn what's important, I mean what is REALLY important. You don't sweat the small stuff so much, like if you have a spot on your chin or if your shoes match your jeans. You learn what you like and enjoy and you learn not to take certain things so seriously. You learn that life is too short and that it's worth enjoying while you have the chance.

I'm 25 and the world is open to me, right now I could go anywhere I want (and have done), and I find that so exciting! (well, once my confidence is ok again cos right now it's zero) But... I think the number one thing that's great to learn while you're young is self esteem and confidence, if you have that, I think you have a lot of potential for a great life. And if you don't have those things, they can be learned.

It is true though that you get out of life what you put into it. And you don't really get things if you don't want things, it's good to have dreams and to try to follow them.

[palmdalegirl]

Originally Posted by Lisa Michelle

Life CAN open up to you when you become an adult. If you have dreams and aspirations, adult life is where you can do those things. You can study things you find interesting, you can travel, you can meet so many different people, you can fall in love, get married, have kids... whatever you want.
If you have depression it can be different, because that sort of stops you enjoying these experiences even if they do happen (in my opinion at least).

I think your thoughts change as you get older. I do believe that you learn what's important, I mean what is REALLY important. You don't sweat the small stuff so much, like if you have a spot on your chin or if your shoes match your jeans. You learn what you like and enjoy and you learn not to take certain things so seriously. You learn that life is too short and that it's worth enjoying while you have the chance.

I'm 25 and the world is open to me, right now I could go anywhere I want (and have done), and I find that so exciting! (well, once my confidence is ok again cos right now it's zero) But... I think the number one thing that's great to learn while you're young is self esteem and confidence, if you have that, I think you have a lot of potential for a great life. And if you don't have those things, they can be learned.

It is true though that you get out of life what you put into it. And you don't really get things if you don't want things, it's good to have dreams and to try to follow them.

VERY NICELY SAID! I enjoyed reading your post. Thannk you.

[beyond_blue]

That's a tough question to answer. I'm assuming you are a teenager. The teenage years tend to be fraught with drama and hormones and your world almost certainly seems to be on the verge of ending every two seconds - then perfect five minutes later. If this describes your life, perhaps everything will just become easier with age.

I happened to have been a teenager dealing with clinical depression. I was first diagnosed at 13 and slit my wrist at 14. It was not "for attention." I was deeply depressed. If this describes you, then life won't just become easier when you get older. As responsibilities mount, it will likely get more difficult.

I say this not to depress you more!!! But to try to help. When I was young, I'm 34, I always thought things would get better...next year. When I'm in high school, things will be better. When I'm in college, things will be better. After I graduate and get out on my own, things will be better. They only got worse.

The reason is that nothing magically gets better when you're dealing with an illness like depression. If you have abuse in your past - physical, sexual, emotional - or if there is domestic violence in your life or if there's substance abuse, etc. you need to know that none of that pain just goes away. You have to deal with the illness and deal with the issues in your life.

If you learn how to do this while you're a teenager, things will no doubt be much better and you'll be able to live a much happier and more fulfilling life!!

I was in therapy a lot when I was young, but it never did any good. I was too afraid to talk or open up. I thought eventually none of it would matter - eventually it would all work itself out. It did not. Now I'm in therapy with a wonderful therapist and I'm trying to learn what I should have learned as a child and teenager. Learn how to live rather than just exist. Learn how to figure out what is best for me rather than protect everything and everyone else. Learn how to feel rather than numb.Learn how to face the pain rather than run. It's hard.

What I'm trying to say is if you need help, ask for it. Ask your parents. Ask your teachers. Ask your guidance counselor. If no one takes you seriously, call a therapist and ask what they recommend you do. Of course, if your underage, you'll need to bring your parents into the picture, but the therapist might be able to help. Don't let other people tell you how you feel. Don't let other people tell you that you are okay if you're not. Fight for yourself. The work is scary and often painful, but you either do it now or later.

Since you're here, my guess is you are an intelligent, competent, resourceful person. You can do what it's going to take to make it better now and when you're older!

[Trying & Caring]

It doesn't get better as you age unless you are getting treatment (in my experience). I'm 56 & have been ill since I was 15 (1st suicide attempt). Mother committed suicide after many attempts when I was 15 (bipolar I--my dx as well). So I finally got the correct dx about 15 yrs. ago , but even so it wasn't until I started DBT & indiv. therapy w/DBT instructor about 1 1/2 yrs. ago that I started making real progress & got some hope. Had suicide attempt 3 yrs. ago. So it has been really hard for me to "get over that" but within 3 mos. of DBT I was no longer suicidal & didn't feel "triggered" all the time. Finally got some hope for improvement & even felt some JOY in my life--something I've never had. EMDR also helped w/chronic insomnia.

Over the long run, however, the medical profession has been manifestly unable to improve recovery outcomes for patients suffering from mental illness.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anis-s..._b_347351.html