Side effects of anxiety and depression

Hi, i'm Renden. I'm 22 and I've been living with moderate anxiety and depression since middle school. I need a place to talk and I hope that I've found it. I feel like I can handle my anxiety fairly well at this point in my life. I have tried different medicines. They all had terrible side effects and I have learned to live without little medicinal help.

What I am struggling with now is more of a symptom of social anxiety and depression. It is hard for me to meet people and it is even harder for me to keep relationships with people because of my anxiety. I have a close, small group of friends, but I don't share much with them because my depression has made me closed off. I feel like sharing my problems and struggles with people makes me seem weak. The results of this have made me lonely. I lost a girlfriend because of my anxiety. I constantly turn down invitations to hang out with friends because of my anxiety. My lack of social life reduces my self-esteem which in turn increases my depression. My fear is living in this loneliness.

I don't mean to be a pity party, but I have a lot of built up emotions that I have never talked to anyone about and I hope this forum can help. Also, i hope to help anyone I can if at all possible.

Welcome to the forum! Try to have more faith and trust in people, because good human interaction can sometimes be the best cure. There are some trustworthy people out there, you just need to find them and this is the hardest part I know. What is your relationship with your family? Maybe you can discuss more with one member of your family that you trust the most. Also this forum is full with people willing to help others and you are in the right place.

Take care!

Hi Renden,

I've also suffered from anxiety (and some related depression) since I was in my teens...now 41. It comes and goes with life events, so I know what you're going through. You are definitely not alone...many people have anxiety / depression that interrupts their lives at different times. Even those who outwardly look fine and without a care in the world can be suffering at times; you just never know.

I've learned to anticipate my "strong times" and make sure that those are spent with friends and family and occasionally meeting new people. When I'm having "weak times" then I give myself the liberty of being a hermit and try not to worry about it. The thing with anxiety / depression is that it comes and goes...when it's here it's miserable, but when it's gone things are mostly normal (for me).

And this forum is a great place to let off some steam when you need to.

Take care!

I appreciate the support guys. Its encouraging to hear other people's stories and know that I'm not alone.