How to get better?

[RagnaToad]

Before I say anything else: Stay on the meds the doctor thinks are best for you, or the meds that work best. Keep consulting a doctor and/or therapist if you have a history of mental illness.

Apart from the medical aspect of you being depressed, this is what I would recommend myself:

Find a passion and be ****ing good at it.

Be the person you want to be. Dress the way you want to dress, do the things that interest you.

Be social, make friends even if you don't feel like it. People can appear mean, but most people just want to live life and have fun. And having people around you actually helps, even if being depressed makes you want to avoid people.

Be prepared to love certain things, and say '**** this' about other things.

[Tallulah]

I feel for you, I really do, and I wish there was some magic potion to fix you.

I've been there before, and quite recently as well. My first question would be has anything happened recently that has triggered this bout of depression? With me usually something happens to make me fall into a bit of a state. When my grandad died, when I asked a former partner to move out, and most recently, when my most recent ex finished with me, I have been in some very dark places. Even sometimes, I get depressed for no reason from time to time.

I saw another thread that mentions you have money worries. This certainly doesn't help at all. Have a word with someone at your college (they may be able to provide you with a crisis loan) and your HMO, who may go easy on you when it comes to payment. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I feel really fortunate to live in the UK, where healthcare is mostly free, so I don't know any particulars about payment relief or welfare in the US, or wherever you are. Talk to your local authority about welfare and see if they can advise you. Help is available for those who need it.

As others have said, changing your diet and taking regular exercise really does help. During my recent dark times. Sweating and working out the anger, disappointment, hate, grief, sorrow really helped, as did cutting back on junk food. Writing also helps. It helps to get your feelings out. Music helps as well. Listen to something that makes you feel happy and less alone (all the old break-up songs about love, loss and overcoming it helped me feel less alone, and the Assassin's Creed 2 soundtrack really calms me down for some reason).

I know it may be expensive (and it makes me sore as family doctors in the UK have so many free services, both medication and therapy), but go back to your doctor and explain how you feel. They are there to help, remember that. Alternatively, do you have any family, friends, co-workers, or even college tutors you could talk to? You are not alone, and you don't have to suffer alone. So many people from work helped me through my recent depression, and working and keeping busy kept my mind off the whole sorry business. I would have crumbled without them.

It won't be easy, believe me, I know, but you have the strength to get over this. Get financial help, emotional support, change your boring, depressing routine even if you have to force yourself. Accept all the help you need, do not be scared or ashamed to ask for it.

I'm reaching out to you as well, feel free to PM me if you need to talk.