12. Understood that professors understand more than I realize - The Odyssey Online
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'Sought Help' And 55 Other Things I Wish I'd Done When I Fell Into A Depressive State

Rather than getting the help that I knew I needed, I isolated myself and pushed the things that I knew would help me, away.

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'Sought Help' And 55 Other Things I Wish I'd Done When I Fell Into A Depressive State
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Freshman year can be hard. Things are changing and you're in an unfamiliar time and place in your life. You don't want to admit that sometimes help is what you need in order to get you off of your feet and back on the road to success. However, sometimes seeking help is the simplest thing you can do for yourself to pull out of the abyss you're in. Here are 55 things that I wish I had done, in addition to seeking medical help, when I fell into a state of major depression last spring.

1. Left my room

2. Talked to my mom

3. And my dad

4. And my roommates

5. Taken care of my body and mind

6. Told my counselor the truth right away

7. Stopped trying to mask my anxieties

8. Took self-care more seriously

9.  Understood that I am not the first nor the last person to struggle with this mix of depression and anxiety

10.  Understood that my parents were the least judge-mental people I could talk to

11.  Understood that above all things, I come first

12. Understood that professors understand more than I realize

13. Engaged in more things that "filled my gas tank of life"

14. Realized that toxic people DON'T help deteriorating mental health

15. Neither does binge-eating pizza

16. There is no reason to feel shameful for how I feel

17. Reached out for help beyond my University's counseling center

18. Realized that feelings of sadness are normal to a certain extent

19. Talked nicely to myself. 

20. Gave myself the recognition and praise I deserved, rather than tearing myself to shreds

21. Understood that nobody is perfect

22. Not even me

23. Realized that sometimes, the people who are most willing to help you, aren't the ones who you live with or talk to everyday

24. Realized that although some people see me as a head-case, I'm not in fact, a "head-case"

25. Found more healthy ways to cope with feelings

26. Paid more attention to my body and what it was telling me

27. Paid more attention to how I was feeling, rather than pushing my feelings under the rug for months

28. Slept less

29. Smiled more

30. Journaled every single day

31. Called my mom more often

32. Felt the desire and worth to call someone and tell them what I was going through

33. Not listened to the lies that floated through my mind everyday

34. Been more mindful and accepting of my own feelings

35. Ate less Chick-Fil-A

36. And more salads

37. Prayed

38. NOT listen to sad music on repeat all day, every day

39. Realized that people understand

40.  And are willing to help you

41. Realized that it's okay to ask for help

42. And asking for help doesn't mean you're weak

43. It actually shows great inner strength

44. Been more accepting of others demons

45. Been more accepting of my own demons

46. Read more poetry

47. Painted along to Bob Ross more often

48. Sang in the shower, despite crying and flushing the day away down the drain

49. Spoke up

50. Not isolated myself away from those who wanted to help me

51. Been honest with everybody

52. Didn't try to hold it together all of the time

53. Wasn't afraid to show true emotion

54. Knew and understood that it is okay to not be okay

55. Called my hecking mom

Suicide rates have tripled among college-aged students since the 1950's. Each year the number of young adults who commit suicide rises. I didn't want to be a statistic, I wanted to be more. When you feel yourself sliding down a slippery slope of anxiety and depression, it is important to keep in mind that you are not alone. And the sooner you seek counselling or help in any other form, the better you'll feel. I promise.

National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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