Hi,

My name is Rob, and I'm from England.

While my story may be far less serious than many on this forum, it's brought me here nonetheless.

I guess you could say I am a fitness and health junkie, but in my second year of University, I ended up living with a group of friends who slowly turned into drug addicts over the period of the next two years.

It started out with one guy who smoked pot, like I'm sure quite a few people do at university, but within about 2 months of me moving in everyone was smoking it on a daily basis. Our front room was a drug den.

I am an experimental guy by nature, so joined in early on, as i was caught up in it all, trying to strengthen friendships, but soon stopped after i realized where everything was leading.
My diet and my workouts were getting less strict and i was less focused in class.

Anyway, i stopped smoking as it was not where i saw my life or self image going( i only started in the first place smoking every now and then to join in with them) but soon became very depressed as i realized i wasn't too friendly with them and felt pressured to live like them, considering they were the only friends i had.

Anyway, fast forward two years. I have just finished university. Not sure of my grades yet.

But the past two years i have suffered from severe depression and chronic stress. To the point where i didn't speak to anyone else than my housemates, and i couldn't speak to my family or friends at home due to the people associated whilst at university. I'm embarrassed to say, but i dint know where to turn, and it all slowly started wearing down on me until i had nothing left inside and was pretty helpless, just trying to keep my head up.

i know it doesn't seem that severe, but im starting to think that the two years of being fully stuck in my own head, feeling heavily dissociated from life every waking hour, with my thoughts spiraling out of control, (suicidal thoughts at times etc) that it may have had a negative affect on my brain. After all 2 years is quite a long time to be living with severe stress. Most of the time i felt "out of my body". it's weird, i know, but i felt so disconnected from myself.

I've been out of University for 3 months now and left behind the former 'friends', and can finally start to see the wood from the trees.
i'm taking a year off to get my head 'straight'.. A big contrast from my former outgoing, confident self. But hey, i guess the mind has got a mind of it's own!

So yeah, here to find out more information on how to basically nurture my brain back to health, and subsequently start seeing life through my own eyes again.

Hope it wasn't to much of a pain reading this.

NeuroRob.

Hello Rob,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Well done to you for finishing your education, particularly under the circumstances. Sadly your living situation is far too common. My daughter found herself in a similar situation when she was living in shared university housing out of state. Thankfully she got out early as her housemates lifestyle choices were making life very uncomfortable and dangerous for her.

Just my suggestion, but do make the most of your year break. Keep busy. If you have specific interests, try to find other groups of people or social clubs where you can share like minded activities.

There are a number of forums where you may like to read or post.

General Mental Health & Emotional Support Forum
Depression Forum
Weight loss & Healthy Living - not only for weight loss
Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements Forum

I hope you can make the most of your time getting back to good health again. Maybe take up yoga or meditation as well. Check out charity organizations in your area where your own life experiences may be of benefit to others. Helping other people is a sure way to get out of your own head, that's a certainty.

all the best to you.

Welcome NeuroRob.

Hi Lara,

Thanks a lot for the reply.
I'm glad to hear your daughter managed to get out before it all became too overwhelming.

I'll definitely take you up on the advise regarding meditation, I've heard great things about the practice.

I'm going to keep busy. I'm relaxing at the moment, trying to gather my thoughts after the way I previously identified with life and everyone in it having been pretty much destroyed via letting myself and my thoughts spiral out of control. I guess it's just a case of taking small steps back to health.

I'm going to do some travelling after summer here in the UK. The thinking is that being thrust into the unknown will force me to adapt and get on with life again, thus leaving the bad experiences behind me.

I'll be sure to check out those other forums too, Thanks!

Thanks Kitt!

Hi Rob,

Congratulations! You were a strong enough character to avoid the worse of a bad situation, and now you have set yourself on course for recovery. Being one who took large quantities of drink and drugs to mask and cope with mental issues, I know what the situation is like. I could easily have been dragged further into harder drugs in my situation. But you and I are both out of that now, and it is time to move on.

Regarding your Depression, it is ideal to start opening up here on the Forums Lara linked, we are an understanding, caring Community. I know your previous circumstances would make it very difficult to speak to your parents. However, you must use this as a stepping stone to approaching your GP with the intention of referral to a Psychologist/Counsellor. Depressive states as serious as yours - even though you have left the trigger - need professional help as early as possible to ensure a rapid recovery.

So, I wish you a warm welcome and remind you - and everyone reading - that Mental Health issues are just as serious as Physical problems. For many of us here the two are intertwined. Anything I can do to help, I am always around.

Dave.

Thanks for the reply Dave!

I've let my parents know what's gone on. They saw a steady downturn in my mood over the last two years to the point where i couldn't keep the front up and was completely anxious around everyone when i came home. So it was pretty obvious as it was the complete opposite of my usual self. I'm normally outgoing, sociable, light humored and generally easy going in nature. the sort of person who tries to bring the vibe of the room up...with out blowing my own trumpet too much I guess i have developed a mental block over the past 2 years that needs to be gradually removed.

I wouldn't say im depressed anymore, just beaten down by the whole experience with a completely different outlook on life than before. It's like I'm living life on a lower level of consciousness.

But I'm sure as long as i stay positive and don't let myself slide into defeatist thinking then i can rekindle my old outlook on life.

Rob, I'm mega years older but know 2 bouts of depression for me were from sluggish thyroid and Vit D deficiency (big one) and I live in So. Calif....I know Vit D is talked about a lot now in the UK. C

Hi Rob

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I think that the others have offered you some great ideas. Lara and Dave both mentioned meditation. I use meditation/mindfulness methods every day - they help me to stay in remission from Major Depressive Disorder.

Dave's idea of getting your GP to refer you to a mental health professional is also excellent. In my case help from a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist has been invaluable.

If ever you think that it might help, please feel free to get in touch with me by PM if you would like to share experiences about depression.

All the best.