[hiscookie]

I'm not sure if this is even in the right place...

The past year or so I have been a lot more emotional, getting upset a lot more often over silly things, suffering from sickness frequently and without much explanation. I left school two years ago, went to college for a year and felt like a bit of a failure because I didn't get into university straight away. I'm in university now and it isn't what I thought it would be at all. I enjoy it but not as much as I thought I would.

It is definitely has an effect on relationships. I don't enjoy spending time with my friends as much as I used to yet feel lonely all the time. I've even made new friends at university and I still feel lonely. I used to be a louder, happier person who never used to shy away but nowadays it seems I'd rather shy away than be myself. I sometimes even feel as though I don't deserve what I have either.

I have been with my boyfriend since the start of this, and things have been great with him but still get upset and paranoid over silly things. I prefer not to talk to him about it because I feel silly and although things are great, he isn't the most understanding person in the world.

I've always had a strong passion for music and reading and it just seems that I don't listen to music or read anymore at all. I just don't feel as passionate as I once did for them but I gain happiness from other activities such as watching TV shows

I know the symptoms of depression and would prefer to rule it out if I could. I don't know what to do to make me feel back to normal again as it has lasted the whole year. I thought it was just going to be a phase but it isn't going.

Any advice would be appreciated as would moving to the correct forum if I made a mistake! Thanks.

[Omers]

Unfortunately I think you do know what is going on and it just stinks. It really does sound like depression. Talk to you Doc or your T if you have one. There may also be something medical going on that could cause it so going to a doc would be a good idea.

Welcome to the Community, hiscookie. A year is a long time if you were only experiencing a case of the blues.

I wish you well.

[Leed]

Having been depressed all my life, since childhood, you CAN'T rule out depression my dear -- you ARE depressed. Some of us become depressed for no apparent reason - it's just there in our face. Sometimes it comes from a deep dark reason -- but many times it comes from a medical reason. You may have this imbalance and might need an antidepressant, even if it's just temporary.

Please talk to your doctor about this --- tell him exactly how you're feeling like you told us. I'm sure he'll order an antidepressant for you. Believe me, you will be back to your old self in about 2-3 weeks after beginning one. It takes that long before the medication starts really working once you've begun taking it. It's WORTH it.

Do us a favor? Please let us know how you're doing? We'd really like to know. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

[hiscookie]

Thank you for your replies

Since it is nearly Christmas, my mood has changed, I'm feeling a lot happier but it may just be temporary. We shall see how I feel when life resumes in January - I may need to visit the doctor...

Thanks again!