15. Neither does binge-eating pizza | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

'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.

145
'Sought Help' And 55 Other Things I Wish I'd Done When I Fell Into A Depressive State
https://unsplash.com/photos/HQ8T83c7JsA

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

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

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

444924
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

18446
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

42558
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21893
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322324
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments