Help! How do i get out of this rut?

[rose539]

Hi, I'm 19, and have been depressed for a year and a half. im having cbt and am on anti-depressants. The cbt helps and the depression is lifting very slowly.
I was at uni doing music ut had to drop out coz i couldnt cope. I also have anxiety issues and obsessive thoughts which get so bad i have to stay in bed for days sometimes coz i get terrible tension headaches. It all started when i was at college, it was horrible, and i used my head to cope instead of talking to real people.
Anyway i live back at home now, and i basically spend my days doing nothing apart from a bit of volunteer work walking dogs and seeing friends occasionally. I just have lost interest in everything, i dont have much energy, im just stuck feeling flat and bored of out my head. I just wish i had someone to talk to when i feel bad, i get so lonely sometimes. What can i do to make this improve for myself?

[rose539]

Thanks guys for your help. M4YOU, i agree, social interaction is so important. I try to be around friends as much as possible but its hard coz they are usually busy with uni, its just so hard to keep up doing things. I dont have any motivation, hardly any energy and i get tired really easily. But like beelzebubba said- I WILL NOT GIVE UP! i will keep fighting it, im determined to get some kind of zest for life back and regain interests and the will to live out life.

[beelzebubba]

I wish I could give you "the answer". As someone who has struggled with depression for a long time there is only one thing I know for sure. Don't give up. Keep trying. Pay attention to advice like M4YOU gave and try it all. Try anything and everything. See what works for you and throw out what doesn't. But keep trying. That is the most important thing, maybe even the only thing. You are so young that it hurts me you are struggling so. But youth is an advantage to. There is so much life ahead of you, anything can happen. I'll hold the best wishes for you and I'm always here if you need to talk things out.

[M4Y0U]

Social interactions are very important while being depressed. The worst thing you can do is actually doing nothing but I do know very well the lost interest and wanting to do nothing feeling.

If you have one of many close friends it would be good to have them around.

Stressful situation like entering the college, planning your future are very likely for the onset of depression and other mental illnesses.

Tension Headaches are from stress.

Looks like you need to learn to manage your stress but I know it easier said than done and it is most of the time subconscious stress.

Relaxing methods, healthy diet, exercise, getting back to your hobbies, physiotherapy if the tension headaches are becoming chronic as it could be some problems with you subocccipital muscles (watch your posture!) and most importantly try to have a socially active life. Studies suggest that non-social people are more likely to suffer from depression.

I hope you will find a way but at your age I'm sure things will get going for you,
M4