How should I overcome my anxiety and depression at school or at home?
radraz26 asked:
I am a freshman in high school. I feel like I have close to no friends at all. I have clinical depression and an anxiety disorder. I’m over weight, with extremely low self esteem. I can’t find the positives in things. I feel suicidal all the time. I don’t really cut much (I did once, and didn’t like it) but I think I might try again. My high dose of medication is begining to fade from my system even though I take it religiously. I have no girlfriend. My home life is great I just need to work on some coping skills do you have any suggestions?
http://www.anxietypanicfear.com
I am a freshman in high school. I feel like I have close to no friends at all. I have clinical depression and an anxiety disorder. I’m over weight, with extremely low self esteem. I can’t find the positives in things. I feel suicidal all the time. I don’t really cut much (I did once, and didn’t like it) but I think I might try again. My high dose of medication is begining to fade from my system even though I take it religiously. I have no girlfriend. My home life is great I just need to work on some coping skills do you have any suggestions?
http://www.anxietypanicfear.com
Related Reading:
http://www.10b.com
i was suicidal at the start of freshmen year in 95. what helps me is just meditation. even on the bus or home. take deep breaths. plus try holisticonline.com to help you. plus beliefnet.com and 1stholistic.com helps. plus call 1800 lifenet or 1800 *******. i will help you and try to join my new group i’ve started
Ryan- Bless your heart.
These years are difficult for everyone. Even the coolest kids with the most friends feel the way you do- they just hide it better.
Peers can be cruel. Who needs them? Days, months perhaps years from now their opinions won’t even be a memory.
Concentrate on the things you enjoy doing- after school work. Do not try to attract people. If you are doing what you love to do and are kind and gentle with yourself; they will seek you out.
The most important thing you can learn is to love you. Why would someone else be interested if you aren’t good enough for you?
The overweight thing you can do something about. It is one thing you do have control over. Eat well, not lots. Leave the junk food alone and learn to love fruits and vegetables. Eat your protein, ie meat 1st, then your veggies and lastly your carbs like potatoes. You will fill up faster with the foods that are best for you.
Limit your salt and drink nothing but water. Soda is your enemy. Diet soda has been shown to eat holes in your brain.
Mostly, know that you are not alone in your feelings. You are not alone period. ******* is not an option. Nothing is so big that God is not bigger. Get in touch with Him and watch what He will do.
You’re in my prayers. Good luck.
http://www.certainscripts.com
Yes. Get off the medication immediately. Ask your parents if they will let you join a gym to go to after school. If you convince them it will be good for your mental health maybe they will even get you a personal trainer there. It’s amazing, just an hour daily (take 1-2days off to rest each week) will transform you mentally and physically. Don’t overdo it, just put in your time to make it most effective. You’ll be surprised that after a while of just sticking to a routine of working out….you’ll build confidence and when new members come to the gym and feel ackward, you can offer to show him/her your workout and make a friend.
http://www.anxietypanicfear.com
Anxiety and depression is very common in our communities today. The main reasons for your illness is exactly what you have described. You can snap out of this by thinking positively and concentrating on yourself.
You have to actually fall in love with yourself, plan to lose weight. Walk, exercise, and “”eat to live, not live to eat”"..
You can achieve everything which God has planned for you.
Turn your thoughts on Him. He is there for you. He loves you. In your Bible, turn to Philippians Chapter 4 verses 5 & 6.. St. Paul says be “”Anxious for nothing”".
Next, listen to Christian CD’S and Tapes all the time.
Don’t worry about not having a girl friend right now, when you change your negative way of thinking to positive, your life will be so much better.
You have so much to live for, be happy.
You need to work on it in both places. Sometimes you have to try different brands of medicines and one of the side effects in those under 18 is a higher feeling of wanting to commit *******. YOu need to tell your health care provider of it right away. Excersizing and eating right will not only make you look better but feel better-it releases the good feeling endorphins. Try finding friends and go to a counseler to help with coping skills and find the source-before it’s too late. I’ve been there-mine started in high school and i’m now 30. I still take medicine-it does get better.
http://www.telfordcomputers.info
Here are some tips that may help.
“GET OUT OF BED:
One of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you’re more likely to feel normal.
LIGHTS:
Light helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun’s rays). But don’t stare at the sun, of course.
MOVE:
Be active right away — oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive.
MUSIC:
Select and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out.
BREAKFAST:
Begin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread.
TALK WITH SOMEONE:
One of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that – you’d rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take.
And, force yourself to say “hello” to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around.
LIMIT CAFFEINE:
The long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression.
LIMIT SUGAR:
Sugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it’s low you may feel low, too.
The caffeine/sugar cycle. It’s easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle — having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to “stay up.” For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity — reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue.
MAINTAIN FIBER:
Fiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals.
STRESS B COMPLEX:
Some persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You’ll find these called something like “Stress B” or “B 50.” This is controversial.
Some nutritionists say, “Yes, this really should be considered,” and others say, “No, this is not a good Idea.” You can try some and decide whether or not it helps you. If it does help, then perhaps you should consult a nutritionist to see if there are other ways you can augment your diet.
ROUTINES:
Changing your routines is another way to help shake the blues. Choose a different combination of clothes to wear, walk rather than drive, take a different route, eat at a different place. Do something different to help break the routine.
It’s hard. Getting up in the morning, turning on the lights, eating a nutritious breakfast, keeping busy–keeping such a schedule is not always easy.
You might need help for the first few days, someone to help you form good habits, get you out of bed. turn on the lights, make sure you have a good breakfast, someone to help you be more active. One good way is to make a contract with a friend or friends who want to see you change. It might seem embarrassing, but
those friends want to see you healthy and happy rather than depressed and difficult to be around. Note: If you feel that you need the help of someone for more than three or four days, you probably should make an appointment with a counselor or psychotherapist. You don’t want to wear out your friends!
DEVELOP SUPPORTS:
Good old-fashioned support works wonders. Most of us have not developed “support systems.” We need to think about that idea ahead of time, if we have the tendency to feel blue, so that the supports can be available when needed. Plan ahead by filling out the last section of this publication and keep it handy. In addition to developing your own resources, you might know of some community support groups for persons with the blues. Call the local mental health center to see if there are some groups you might be a part of. Some places to call for leads at K-State will be listed at the end of this brochure.
What do I do when I feel myself coming down with the blues?
Recognize the change in yourself when you are “coming down” with an emotional slump. Don’t deny it or feel guilty. Rather, take charge of yourself right away.
Perhaps taking a day off and doing some favorite things will restore you. Get more exercise: walk, garden, cycle, swim. You might not feel like it, but exercise is one of the best depression breakers and preventers.
PRETEND:
Put a smile on your face and pretend that you are happy. Stand straight rather than falling into that slouching, depressed posture. Sound hokey? Well, it isn’t. Research demonstrates that forming a ****** expression actually changes how you feel inside. And pretending to feel an emotion results in actually feeling it. Frowners feel sadder. And the depressing effects last for hours. So smile: at yourself and others, even trees or dogs or cats. Sure, it’s tough to smile when you’re feeling blue. The extra effort you muster to do it will help you break the blues.
Wear bright, happy clothes and pretend you are happy. You will then find yourself happy. Maybe, even wear a goofy shirt or blouse or cap so you can see others smile with you. Dressing cheerfully and pretending can beat the blues.
SEEK OUT HUMOR:
See a funny movie, read a humorous book, or listen to a comedy tape/CD. When you see a really funny cartoon, make a copy and save it. Consciously decide to use and employ these things when you find yourself coming down with the blues. Singing can help — make yourself do it.
EXERCISE:
It’s worth stating again: Exercise is a great way to break depression. Walk, go to the Rec Center and ride an exercycle, swim, or climb stairs if it’s too cold or hot outside.
Do not give in to those inner blues that say, “I don’t feel like it.”
Doing almost anything constructive will be beneficial.”