I think I am depressed

[MrOmnos]

Hi, Its my last year of college and there are  lots of things that have started to bother me. I don't feel well, I thought i should talk to someone!

[MK14]

Life is FUN!

Electronics is even more FUN!

Being a student is only temporary.

If I could press a magic button and instantly return to when I was student aged, I would be tempted to press it.

You have a massive future in front of you.

[Ampera]

Don't get bogged down by it. Student life is the shortest part of your life, and the opportunity you need to make the most of.

[Bud]

Call a local radio talk show, there is plenty of topics they invite listeners to talk to.

[Buriedcode]

The trouble with people saying 'don't feel down' is that.. although its quite often said, it is a rather silly thing to say. It implies that people are depressed through choice, or that they have some direct control over how one feels - we don't.  It is no different from saying 'don't be scared', or 'don't be angry' or 'don't feel pain'.   

That said, I'm sure some respond well to positivity, do you know one of those relentlessly positive people who can find some joy out of almost everything?  If you can't find joy in anything, then faking it till you make it is a worthwhile strategy: if you have the option of going out rather than staying in, alone with your thoughts, go out and "pretend" to be happy.  Not a panacea, but it beats the alternative.

It's your last year of college, which means things will change... even if everything is stressful for this year - you know after that year something will change. Which means your situation, like all situations is in a way temporary. That means distraction is another strategy.  I'm sure being depressed is a sign that something is missing, or that we are under too much stress, but what makes it worse is over-analysing it. Rather than becoming more introspective (not a bad thing if it isn't constant) try accepting it.  You feel how you feel.  You've been happy before, and you'll be happy again.  You've been upset before, and you'll be upset again. 

If a close friend felt how you do, and told you - what advice would you give them? and what would you do to help?  Follow your own advice.

[metrologist]

So, what's bothering you?

[calexanian]

I don't know if you were into Fullmetal Alchemist but the line "To train the mind you must train the body" seems relevant here.


I would suggest seeing a therapist. Sometimes you need a little external help to get your life in order. Physical exercise is one of the best therapies there is. You are young enough were you can make physical improvements to yourself without to many consequences. Lift weights. It the best endorphin generator there is. Seek counsel of those who are experienced. You will hurt at first, but that's ok. Soon you appreciate the hurt and it brings things into focus. Also go out. If you cant go out or don't like the look of yourself in the mirror, do something about it. Its a simple engineering solution. Work input into yourself yields a better person, and a person better suited to navigating life in and out. I find most people respect it when you say you are working on yourself and going through some uncertainty in life. It also makes a good pickup line cause most people are strangely attracted to chaos, but that's a whole different conversation.

[pitagoras]

Either a therapist, or become a volt-nut.

[tszaboo]

Hi, Its my last year of college and there are  lots of things that have started to bother me. I don't feel well, I thought i should talk to someone!

It is your last year. Whatever is bothering you, it will be gone in a few months. You have a lot to look for after you graduate. Congratulations, you made it this far. Only few more steps to go. Good luck!
Little secret, college was a lot more stressful, than working.
But if you are really feeling that way, please ask for professional help.

[ajb]

Lots of people will tell you "Oh, just cheer up" or "You just need to get outside or exercise" or "just hang in there and it'll get better" or similar.  Maybe one or another of those things is all you need.  Or maybe none of them is enough.  Regardless, it's important to know that there's nothing to be ashamed about with depression--or any other state of mental health--whether it's a passing mood or a deep and persistent affliction. 

I don't know what things are like in Nepal, as far as access to mental health care and the culture around such issues, but if you can go to a professional therapist and feel like talking to them might help, by all means, go for it!  I'm of the opinion that just about everyone could benefit from a chat with a good therapist from time to time--some people more than others, to be sure, but in so many ways our culture (at least in the US) stigmatizes any deviation from the "norm" and leads to feelings of isolation or inadequacy, and makes it hard to deal in a healthy way with the things that bother us. 

FWIW, if you need someone to talk to, you're welcome to send me a PM.  I'm not a trained therapist or anything, but I can promise to listen and provide what advice and encouragement I can--or even just a sympathetic, judgment-free ear if that's what you need.  That goes for anyone reading this in fact, not just the OP.  I may be just some stranger on the internet, but I'm here if you need me.

[ZeTeX]

1 Last year and you will never ever in your life come back to college. just take it easy, because there is end to this, and the end is right around the corner.

[Iwanushka]

I think most people feel depressed on the last year (EE/Computer Guys), I felt the same, I thought, about quitting almost every day, but somehow I made it and everything after that got better.

Also you already made the first step by admitting that you have the problem (most deny it), so worst case go to therapy and/or try antidepressants (Amitriptyline is a good start and has kinda no side effects compared to prozac and all other shit) 

[Ian.M]

+1 for seeking professional advice as soon as possible.  If you try to push through it on your own, it could affect your exam performance, final grades and career opportunities for the next ten years.

[naldo]

Faith in God and standing on the board !!   

[hamdi.tn]

therapist are BS, motivating speech are BS ... you depressed you need to make things done, just start and they will get done and you will feel better. You need motivation, a beer a 30 minutes of absolute silence and you will be ready . You still in college believe me, you still have that right to screw things up and it will be almost consequence free. As i told everyone still in college, except some really serious situation (i hope you not in this case) , you have absolutely no right to be depressed.

Hope i helped 

[james_s]

Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, this is different then feeling bummed about something and it isn't something one can just snap out of. If you can't seem to get over it, you should probably talk to a medical professional rather than a bunch of cynical engineers.

[george.b]

Seek professional advice.
Antidepressants have helped me cope. They aren't a life changer - that is your role, not medication's - but they can help you cope and get out of whatever hole you got yourself into.

[FrankenPC]

Serotonin is synthesized in your bowels.  You might have a deficiency due to poor diet and lack of sleep.  Sleep is when serotonin is made.  Are you sleeping and eating well?

Also, dopamine production can be ruined by drug abuse.  I'm on Welbutrin for dopamine.  it's pretty freakin amazing.

[ChunkyPastaSauce]

See a doctor, they will help you figure out next step. Also depression isn't always a psychological or psychiatric centered issue, but a symptom of something else (I had problems as well during end of college, blood test showed very low thyroid function).

[jacklee]

I'd ever had same feelings as you, in fact this feeling always come because we can't figure out how the future will be. Now I'm old, and I think these upset feelings I had before is useless and always stay temporarily.
Find something to do make yourself busy, you will forget it, life is full of adventure. Oh, not to be young anymore, I'm a bit tired. All right, let's have a cup of tea.

[Red Squirrel]

I felt the same way on my last year of college.  It was just gogogogogogogo and non stop stress.  But what kept me going is knowing that it was temporary.  And it was.    Once I graduated it was a huge load off my back, and then when I got a full time job and house and moved out it was more or less stress free from then.  Been 10 years now.

The only source of stress is the thought of losing my job as there arn't much jobs in tech here, so I'd be kinda screwed.  But I try not to let it bother me too much.  Does not matter where you go, there's just no job security these days unless you're doing something physical, and even then they can just replace you with a robot. 

[george graves]

totally normal - carry on.  (unless you have thougths of self harm or hurting others)

[MK14]

This interesting/enjoyable (at least for me), somewhat short 3 min 45 sec video, seems to quickly explain and teach a heck of a lot of easily digested information, about the modern findings/things about Depression.

[george.b]

See a doctor, they will help you figure out next step. Also depression isn't always a psychological or psychiatric centered issue, but a symptom of something else (I had problems as well during end of college, blood test showed very low thyroid function).

Ah yeah, there's that, too. Check your Vitamin D!