Anyone here at university?

[Judy02]

Hey. Just wondering, is anyone here who is depressed studying at university/college.

I know it sounds stupid, but im having a really hard time at the moment, where when i feel depressed, it is so so hard, almost impossible for me to concentrate on essays i have to do, when im in a depressed state of mind, almost like a mental block. Its horrible, I've not felt this bad for a long time, but i have recently switched meds.

Does anyone have any pointers/things that might help. This 1 piece of work is going to end up getting handed in late, which makes me feel even worse, esp when everyone else seems to be coping so much better than me.

 

[Mayflower1]

Hi Judy, I go to college to and I know that it is so hard to concentrate with depression. I think I am getting over it now but mental blocks are tough, especially as a Music major because you have to always be on top of everything or you fall behind.

What I do when I feel this way is I just close my eyes a second and breathe. I pray, sometimes that helps, and I ask for strength to continue with my studies. It can become so frustrating when you can't concentrate on something you had always done so well on but I guess it just takes patience to get through. Just try and remember that it takes a little while to heal. I am going to a community college right now just so I could be able to get a hold on depression awhile and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a little easier then a university I believe but you still have to work!!! Just hang in there, I know how you feel. Lily00

 

[Frangible]

Actually I do pretty much what Lily describes myself. Before being born again I studied eastern religions and meditation, and got pretty decent at it (I can stop headaches / hiccups through meditation). The eastern style of meditation is just sitting, and focusing on counting numbers or on the sensations of relaxed breathing. Of course meditation is used in Christianity too, and you can repeat a an inspirational verse or prayer to help clear your mind and focus on a single thought, letting the others fade.

Another thing I do is get up and move around. Exercise is pretty helpful mentally, it improves mood and is invigorating. Get your heart rate up to something aerobic for about 20 minutes and that should help too.

You can also try talking to someone you trust or feel comfortable with. Maybe a pastor, counselor, or friend. It's pretty relieving to have someone listen to you and be there for you too.

Hope you find something that helps.

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Judy, i know how you feel. I'm studying through a correspondence University and working part-time. I'm in my third year, I managed to get through the previous two years ok. This year started off well, I was excited about my subjects and studied every day but for this last week I haven't been able to focus on anything even just reading a fiction book or doing other things like the bulletin for church.

 

[katylees]

hey. I'm in university in Cardiff/Wales. I'm in my second year and have depression ..was diagnosed with it over a year ago now. Work is difficult and so is getting up to face the day. I failed a module last year and i found out not long ago that i failed one last semester as well ..it;s difficult i know ..if you wanna talk ..then PM me ..or msn? if you have it

 

[trinitygrace]

Yes I have depression as well and in my third year of college at a small community college. My classes aren't hard but I am struggling because my medicine, or God knows what, is making me tired all the time. I have been making bad grades on my midterms and can't seem to get a grip on it. I am going to the doc on Tuesday to find out what's wrong. I hope and pray you can get a handle on your depression Judy so you can succeed and do your best in school. Trinity

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Hey. Just wondering, is anyone here who is depressed studying at university/college.

I know it sounds stupid, but im having a really hard time at the moment, where when i feel depressed, it is so so hard, almost impossible for me to concentrate on essays i have to do, when im in a depressed state of mind, almost like a mental block. Its horrible, I've not felt this bad for a long time, but i have recently switched meds.

Does anyone have any pointers/things that might help. This 1 piece of work is going to end up getting handed in late, which makes me feel even worse, esp when everyone else seems to be coping so much better than me.

During my very first semester in college, I had a wreck and dislocated my kneecap on the left leg and broke my right foot. About a week later, my little brother had a freak accident and went to the hospital with a concussion, broken ribs, punctured lung, and liver damage. The day after he left the hospital, my grandmother (who lived with me) was admitted to the hospital and a week later she died. Then, my computer got a virus and I lost a ton of pictures of her. Needless to say, I was VERY depressed that semester! I had no energy and a lot of anxiety; I didn't turn in assignments because of feeling so lethargic -- and I had trouble with other assignments because I would get so anxious about them... I would get overwhelmed with all that I had to do and just "shut down" and go sleep in a ball under the covers for hours. Somehow, I did manage to pass with C's for the semester.

Life hasn't been as rough lately, but I still sometimes deal with fatigue or anxiety. I have learned to use my anxiety to my advantage, though. Now I am getting A's because I always turn my work in early and I'm extra OCDish about everything. Sometimes during midterms or finals, I have to take a break and just sit with my dog or get on the treadmill -- it helps to clear my mind.

Also -- if you've recently switched meds, your doctor should be able to write you a letter and you could get an "incomplete" grade and have more time to get your assignments done after the semester is over. I don't take medications anymore, but back when I did and they would switch them, ugh.. it was horrible and I felt sick/exhausted/etc .. it was just about impossible to work... I had my doctor and the school's disability center help me out during that time.

 

[Judy02]

During my very first semester in college, I had a wreck and dislocated my kneecap on the left leg and broke my right foot. About a week later, my little brother had a freak accident and went to the hospital with a concussion, broken ribs, punctured lung, and liver damage. The day after he left the hospital, my grandmother (who lived with me) was admitted to the hospital and a week later she died. Then, my computer got a virus and I lost a ton of pictures of her. Needless to say, I was VERY depressed that semester! I had no energy and a lot of anxiety; I didn't turn in assignments because of feeling so lethargic -- and I had trouble with other assignments because I would get so anxious about them... I would get overwhelmed with all that I had to do and just "shut down" and go sleep in a ball under the covers for hours. Somehow, I did manage to pass with C's for the semester.

Life hasn't been as rough lately, but I still sometimes deal with fatigue or anxiety. I have learned to use my anxiety to my advantage, though. Now I am getting A's because I always turn my work in early and I'm extra OCDish about everything. Sometimes during midterms or finals, I have to take a break and just sit with my dog or get on the treadmill -- it helps to clear my mind.

Also -- if you've recently switched meds, your doctor should be able to write you a letter and you could get an "incomplete" grade and have more time to get your assignments done after the semester is over. I don't take medications anymore, but back when I did and they would switch them, ugh.. it was horrible and I felt sick/exhausted/etc .. it was just about impossible to work... I had my doctor and the school's disability center help me out during that time.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Will bear them in mind, its just so hard. its 3 oclock pm now and iv only just got dressed! i just woke up, feeling awful and thought i cant face the day. I think im gonna have to go back to counselling, i cud be stressed with uni, but i just dont know anymore.

 

[Mayflower1]

Don't give up Judy... Counseling is a good thing to do I am sure that your therapist will give you some advice that will help you feel better. 3:00pm? Lol. Sounds like me on weekends!!! Stress is really hard but we just have to keep hanging on!!! Lily00

 

[melaniew]

|I so wish i was in uni or college but im to dumb. PLus i wouldnt be able to cope with deprestion and work.

 

[Silent Bob]

I am at uni. I have managed to get an undergraduate degree and I am now trying for my masters. Yes, depression really obstructs my ability to function. I miss most of my lectures, I have missed deadlines, cannot focus on work, cannot study unless there are less than 24 hours for the exam etc, etc. So far I have survived (academically) through smarts and doctor's reports (not notes they are no good).

If I could function around 50% of the time I could have gotten straight A's but most of the times I can only function at around 10%. E.g. today I missed two lectures and I haven't done anything other than sleep all day when I have an assignment due friday and overdue work for my case study.