[LynnRed]

Hi everyone,

I know that I won't get any definitive answers, but I was just wanting to see if anyone else has had similar experiences to mine.

I am a sophomore in college. I go to school one thousand miles away from my home and school is very very hard. I go to a university that has a 98% retention rate and has a huge legacy matriculation.

However, I have never been so unhappy in my life. I am consistently sad, and this has persisted since December 2011. I thought that maybe it would be a temporary thing, but now it is so bad I need to talk about it here.

Even though I have no clear reason to be sad, I am always sad. I lay in bed and cry at night and it literally feels like my heart is being squeezed because there is a tangible pain in my chest. I sleep erratically during the night, staying up until 4 o'clock because I can't stop thinking about everything. I just feel so sad all the time and unbelievably stressed. I also feel so so so lonely. I feel so sad that I don't even want to eat most of the time.

So here's the question: what advice do you all have? Does this sound similar to your experiences with depression and have any of you experienced these? Basically...what should I do?

[Leed]

Yes dear Lynn you sound depressed and I'm so sorry. Depression is a horrible condition, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I've had it since I was a small child and I'm now 63 yrs old.

I think what would help you right now would be to talk with the school counselor. That's what they're there for. Yes, they help with study courses, but they also help with personal problems too. So talk with the counselor/advisor. I'm sure he/she will be of great help to you and will keep things confidential.

If things get too serious, you may have to talk with your parents about having them schedule time for you with a therapist. Sometimes it's necessary to get professional help. I've been thru therapy and it helped alot, but since I have clinical depression, I'll be on meds the rest of my life.

I wish you the very best Lynn. I hope you'll let us know how things turn out because we DO CARE. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[tigerlily84]

Hi LynnRed. From what you have described, it sounds like depression. But we are not professionals, so we cannot diagnose you. As usual, Leed's advice is spot on. You should definitely stop by the counselor's office on campus. In the meantime, please feel free to post as much as you need to... it's always nice to have a sounding board, even if it's here online.

[dailyhealing]

You got some good advice above, I think starting with the school counselor is a great idea. If you do have depression, and I agree it sounds like it, that is a good first step to getting some help.

The symptoms you describe are very typical of my experience of depression. I have had some of my worst experiences when things were going "fine" in life. For me it is a chemical imbalance and I need medication for my brain to function more normally and for me to be able to function in the world. I used to think of it differently, but now I have come to understand that depression is an illness like any other. It is a medical condition, not a flaw. I'm so glad you are here and shared what you did. I, too, hope you will keep us posted about how you are doing.

[Soundeffects]

Pulling from my own experience, it sounds very likely to be depression. Like the others have said above, talking to someone who can properly help and asses you is high on the priority list. A piece of advice that I can offer is to never be afraid to tell your doctor that a medication is not working, or even worsening your depression. Sometimes it's just not the right prescription, but there are many others out there. I hope you are doing better soon!

[oliamble]

Definitely sounds like depression and don't feel bad about seeking help Lynn because it will pay off. Imagine, if you see a therapist and he is able to diagnose you with the type of depression you are having, followed by a proper treatment (anti-depressants), and when you begin to feel good you will be able to finish your college years with out having to worry about the horrible symptoms of depression.

Soon after your treatment, you'll be able to enjoy life, concentrate on your studies, and at the same time know what type of depression you are suffering from and how to manage it, which will help you for the rest of your career & personal life. Also, as others have pointed out, the doctor-patient relationship remains pretty much confidential, unless you release a medical concent for an employer or a government agency to review these files. Pretty much at this time, statistically so many millions of people suffer from depression that it is as common as flu. You should be ok as soon as you seem help with a counselor or therapist.