TW: Anxiety/ Mental health Hello everyone, I hope I put the TW right just in case. So I’m a junior in college, and lately I just been feeling so isolated and alone. I don’t think I found my friend group…or even a close friend. Most people in my circle are just living their life but I feel like that person who is like a “back up” nobody really calls or text me unless they need something or it’s last minute…I had a boyfriend of a year that I broke up with for a lot of reason. I also met him when I was just a freshman so I felt like he was just someone to do stuff with but I didn’t really feel like I was branching out. I haven’t been to a therapist or anything like that so I’m not official diagnosed with anxiety or anything(and I’m not doing it myself ofc)I have struggled with mental health when I was younger and just honestly kept everything to myself. I just feel like I’m so anxious, even if events are happening on campus , I end up talking myself out of going even if I put my mind to it. I bed rot majority of my days, sometimes even miss class because of it. I just lay and be on my phone while I’m criticizing myself for doing it but somehow I could never get up and move. I feel like I’m in such a weird space, and it’s really just been deeper and deeper and I just don’t know what to do. Talking to people I trust is hard because it’s always “well just do it” and I’m like I want too but I can’t. I can talk about doing things or going places all day and still end up not going. Sometimes it even affects my college work, I’ll just let stuff go past the due date while it’s just haunting my mind but still I just close my computer and let it be. I have a new boyfriend who supports me so much , he just lives back at home (im 2 hours away) so I really only see him on weekends and when we got free time as he works full time. He suggests a dog and I even can’t pull myself to get one because I never had a pet so I just think of everything that comes with it and it just makes me worry so much. I want to talk to a therapist but I’m just scared in finding one and I just don’t know what to do.

Definitely see a therapist!! You should have access to at least a few sessions for free through your school. It sounds like you could have anxiety, depression, or a number of other things. I went through a similar period before I was diagnosed with ADHD. Either way, talking to a professional will be extremely helpful. Have you tried joining a club or volunteering? I find it hard to go to purely social functions, it’s easier when you’ll actually be doing something so there isn’t as much pressure on socializing. There are also different tools you can try to reduce screentime like apps. I actually have a plastic box w a timer on it that I can put my phone in so I can’t access it for whatever length of time I set the timer to. Ive been in a rut like this before and it’s really hard but you can get out!! Every small change you make is a step forward.

@Grazydol8 I actually looked up my school counseling center and I’m going to make an appointment! My school is very social media heavy so I definitely will shorten my time with apps when I don’t need to use them. I tried going to some events , I just feel out of place if I do, sometimes it feel like people are already clique up and they talk to people they know and I didn’t really get to know anyone. However I did only go to just a few so that’s also on me cause maybe if I kept going I could’ve mingled and started talking with people. I do try to volunteer. I haven’t since this school year started but I did last year and really liked it so I should start back! Thank you for your nice reply !

Yayy that’s awesome!! Definitely make an appointment with a counselor. Don’t put it off until you find the perfect time—just make one tonight!! You can always change it. It’s not going to change your life overnight but it’s a step forward. Getting on ADHD meds totally changed my life!! Events can be hard honestly.. but something like volunteering is easier because you already have something to do!! And socializing comes more naturally. If you like dogs you could try volunteering with an animal shelter or rescue!! I wouldn’t get a dog right now, it’s not really fair to the pet. It might help but you also may end up skipping/putting off walks, etc and just feel even worse about yourself (I’ve been there as well unfortunately). Take baby steps but you got this!!

I was just going to say exactly the same as @Grazydol8, your symptoms and feelings sound a lot like a depressive episode but only a mental health professional can truly diagnose you and help you figure this out. It's literally what they're there for so definitely make an appointment, you don't have to deal with this alone.

I’m calling them first thing in the morning! My school counseling services make you take a mental health screening before you can talk to someone. I have the number written down and it will be my first thing to do. This really helped me overcome the fear of talking with someone. I also agree with the dog thing. I personally never grew up with a pet so I was already hesitant about it. My boyfriend was just suggesting and trying to help! I appreciate the reply’s and feedback! Thank you