[Callum19]

Just a post out of curiosity:

Does anyone else who is starting in September/October, suffer from Social Anxiety and/or Depression? If so, how are you planning on dealing with it when you start?

If you're already at University and suffer from either - how have you coped with it, and has it badly affected your time there?

[Idle]

Bumping this as you have had no replies yet

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by Callum19)
Just a post out of curiosity:

Does anyone else who is starting in September/October, suffer from Social Anxiety and/or Depression? If so, how are you planning on dealing with it when you start?

If you're already at University and suffer from either - how have you coped with it, and has it badly affected your time there?

Not a current student but did suffer from depression while at university/still do.

Impacted me quite a lot, I'd had untreated depression for so long that it was impacting so many things. Constantly exhausted/sleeping badly, poor memory/concentration, no motivation, etc. Scraped through first and second years not really doing anywhere near as well as I could have.

Started treatment in the summer before my third year but as I'm not a trivial case it didn't go all that well, horrible reactions to most meds, current diagnosis is probably bipolar which is why I had so many issues with treatment.

Again, scraped through third year but had a few reasonable periods.

If you're not currently undergoing treatment, my advice would be to start ASAP in the first year when the workload isn't too high and so you have time to find the right medication and/or therapy before things start mattering a lot.

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by g36c)
what kind of treatment?

i dont have social anxiety but probably depression and i match your symptoms.

Well, the first step would be to see a GP who can assess whether you're depressed (you basically get a little questionnaire either on paper or your GP asking you questions from the computer). Then you'd decide if you want to try medication and/or therapy.

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by g36c)
i dont wanna take drugs

what kind of therapy?

ive been like this most of my life but i feel better sometimes from my own methods. but do i have problems that need fixed properly?

I don't know if you do. If it's something that impacts upon your life then it's worth seeking treatment.

Also bear in mind that untreated mental health conditions can get worse over time.

There's a variety of types of therapy. CBT which is meant to treat bad thought patterns and stuff, the sterotypical type where you just sit and talk to someone, probably some others like DBT.

A doctor would probably recommend the type of therapy based on your condition/background.

Can't comment too much on therapy, I've not had any since my issues are of a biological nature and require medication.

[Thanatos7]

Yes, I'm starting uni again in september. Been on those ****ty SSRIs, they're little more than sugar pills with side effects, some people get a placebo effect from them but they make me want to curl up and sleep all day.

Thinking about therapy, hopefully the uni has sufficient support or I might ask my doctor for advice.

BTW doctors hate benzodiazepines but they're really the only thing that works efficiently for anxiety.

[ilem]

(Original post by Thanatos7)
Yes, I'm starting uni again in september. Been on those ****ty SSRIs, they're little more than sugar pills with side effects, some people get a placebo effect from them but they make me want to curl up and sleep all day.

Thinking about therapy, hopefully the uni has sufficient support or I might ask my doctor for advice.

BTW doctors hate benzodiazepines but they're really the only thing that works efficiently for anxiety.

Look into MAOIs, especially Nardil, though you'd need a psych referral for that.

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by Thanatos7)
Yes, I'm starting uni again in september. Been on those ****ty SSRIs, they're little more than sugar pills with side effects, some people get a placebo effect from them but they make me want to curl up and sleep all day.

Thinking about therapy, hopefully the uni has sufficient support or I might ask my doctor for advice.

BTW doctors hate benzodiazepines but they're really the only thing that works efficiently for anxiety.

Might be worth asking your doctor about duloxetine, reboxetine, or venlafaxine. SSRIs did nothing for me either, duloxetine/reboxetine were far more useful.

Alternatively, either tricyclics or the reversible MAOI moclobemide are worth trying. Both have far better rates of success than SSRIs. Some GPs will prescribe tricyclics, some won't. Depends on the area.

[Snikle]

Current student. Going into second year. Both depression and anxiety (social and otherwise) and a few other diagnosed psych conditions. I don't have time for a long response, but I'll give you advice.

Don't expect the first term to be easy. I got so ridiculously low by Christmas. Things get easier, and I know it's difficult, but you need to force yourself to get out there. Remember that you can recharge for a few hours later, and just try to meet a few people and remember some names. I am no longer friends with most of the people I met during my first term. I settled in and am.. happy, for lack of a better term. But.. when you do find people you do like... Facebook and Skype etc become quick allies in cementing friendships for everyone, not just me when I couldn't be bothered/couldn't cope with leaving my room.

Work? I didn't do all that well last year. I passed. But that's it. The only way to do that is force yourself, remember why you're there, and sign up to your local doctors, in case things get so bad that you need extensions. Most uni staff are very helpful and understanding if that is the case.

PM me if you want anything, anything at all

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Finished my undergrad degree last year, suffer from both anxiety (undiagnosed) and depression. Found the first couple of months extremely difficult too be honest. After those first few months things became a little easier as things become routine and familiar, which takes a little of the stress element out of it. Other than that, had been put on a couple of different medications which for me just took the 'edge' off of the symptoms. I managed really well with grades, they were consistantly high ever year and I passed with a 1st. That was through sheer, pigheaded determination and because I was adament that I...just...was...not....going... to...fail. I agree with everything snikle said - the way you get though it is through sheer brute force and remember to keep an eye on the prize. And as snikle also said, I found most of the staff extremely understanding and helpful
Now, dealing with it after graduating...? I'm still trying to figure that one out.

[Anonymous]

Watching thread - I suffer from depression/anxiety. was in hospital 1 month ago from ODing. Starting uni in september and first time away from home.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Callum19)
Just a post out of curiosity:

Does anyone else who is starting in September/October, suffer from Social Anxiety and/or Depression? If so, how are you planning on dealing with it when you start?

If you're already at University and suffer from either - how have you coped with it, and has it badly affected your time there?

Wish I could say it changed me and made me a happier and more confident person, but in reality its done the opposite. I really tried in the first semester of the the first year, I honestly did, made an effort to go out with people even if it was unlikely I'd ever connect with them, made an effort and tried to make friends at societies, even tried weed just to try and fit in, but it was all useless, people started to form stronger and closer friendships/groups after several weeks and I struggled to properly fit in or make close friendships myself, I rarely said a word to anyone on nights out and this became clear when people like my flatmates started to just not invite me out anymore and this coupled with a few people that I did get on with reasonably well dropping out just drove me mad basically and I ended up hiding away in my room constantly paranoid, anxious and depressed.

Was fortunate enough to know someone on the course to get a house in the 2nd year with and while I usually get on with them pretty well, its still difficult as my SA means I can't properly be myself around them and come across as boring a lot of the time and this has led to various insulting comments and they just can't understand why I'm so reluctant to go out to parties or meet people at times, so even with these people the relationship is strained at times and I have the odd day where SA overcomes me and even at the house I can't bring myself to leave the room. So basically, SA has really affected my time at uni badly, I've got one year left and once again annoyingly I'm terrified about it, I really want to leave uni having had the student experience everyone goes on about and I wish I could join societies, make new friends, maybe even find a girlfriend, but with SA, I'm just too nervous to do any of these things, knowing how badly I've struggled at making friends in the past.

[Anonymous]

I guess how uni is for other people with SA or depression depends on many different circumstances, e.g. the people you get put in halls, the levels of anxiety you suffer from etc etc and I know for many people uni has been a positive experience and changed them for the good.

[Anonymous]

I highly suspect I have anxiety but after 4 years still haven't been to a doctor about it.
Should be starting university this September so I'll force myself to go to a doctor before moving away I suppose...

[Honeyx]

Make sure you talk to a tutor about getting extra time in exams. I also get to sit in a separate room for exams which really helps with anxiety...can't imagine going into a room full of 200 stressed/nervous students

If essays and deadlines seem impossible to meet, you can get more time to do it.

Also, I was referred on for a disability needs assessment (which I didn't really understand at the time because I didn't view having depression and anxiety as being a disability!) Anyway, they suggested I be given a mentor and also equipment like a printer (because going to the library scared me at one point...and the thought of bumping into people I didn't want to) and a voice recorder for lectures so if my mind started wondering or I was panicking I could review the work later etc

Im not going to lie,despite this I seem to have messed up this yr I have retakes so hopefully I will go through to the next yr if all goes well.

There is a lot of support available, just take everything thrown your way and don't let anything put you of achieving what you want to. It is difficult but its not impossible.

I hope uni goes well for you

[Final Fantasy]

(Original post by Callum19)
Just a post out of curiosity:

Does anyone else who is starting in September/October, suffer from Social Anxiety and/or Depression? If so, how are you planning on dealing with it when you start?

If you're already at University and suffer from either - how have you coped with it, and has it badly affected your time there?

Not the best advice but Freshers week will help, the alcohol will make you more sociable on nights out, easier time making friends etc. after that it's really up to you to try and make an effort. Try to make at least one good friend who knows about you, e.g. my close flatmate knows about anxiety.

Also, register with your university medical centre ASAP! Seek medical advice from there.

I get by with occasional short-acting drugs that eliminate anxiety/panic/insomnia etc. within 20mins (good luck getting them prescribed at university! Therapy and SSRIs don't work for me and I suppose both the docs and I are fed up of going in circles) or alcohol. But the temptation to abuse them is too high for a lot of people. If you have an addictive personality then don't rely on these - they will **** you up in the end.

Join a gym, regular exercise and a decent diet helps.

If you're concerned about presentations or your condition affecting your academic work in any way, there is a procedure known as 'extenuating circumstances' (which will be explained to you in the induction anyway, or the booklet). Might help to get DSA assistance, or chronic ill health form, or just let a disability service/advisor at the university know about the situation.

Good luck!

[+ polarity -]

I had it pretty bad during first year, and it rears its head every year, it seems.

[Lilly Alston]

Hey.

Ive been suffering from Social Anxiety for 2 years now and Depression 4 years.
Ive started university 2 years ago and now am in my final year.
Trying to deal with it for years was a huge mistake because by trying to deal with it I avoided situations, socially isolated my self and didnt get the marks I wanted.
Its been really hard for me, waking up for lectures feeling depressed and anxious was horrible. Especially having no friends at university was even worse, everyone would wake up thinking about what will they learn today and I would wake up thinking about how many people are going to be there, I need to control my anxiety, what will they think of me, suicide thoughts, am going to be alone in lectures and break, presentation that I have to give etc...

I went to my Gp 2 months ago asking for help because I wanted to turn my life around help me with depression and the anxiety. For the past month Ive been going to CBT, If you ask me get treated asap dont try to deal with it like I did, it will just get worse believe me.

[xbethany]

I'm currently in my second year and suffer from both depression and social anxiety. To be honest, it's massively affected my time at uni, I haven't made any friends, I've been not putting in as much effort into my work as I should have.
Sorry, I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear. But to be honest I think I made it worse for myself by retreating into myself.
I know everyone says this, and it's so much easier said than done, but do try to force yourself to do things and meet people, I wish I had.


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