WHAT SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION & ANXIETY IS REALLY LIKE // LIFESTYLE

Image can be found HERE

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post regarding my Mental Health Story which you can find HERE. Many people have different interpretations of what it is like living with depression and anxiety, so I thought that being a sufferer I would post what it is really like, to stop misinterpretations and judgements.

From experience, I know people expect and see sufferers to just be miserable and 'sad' all of the time. It may look that way and that is the view that is portrayed through the illness, but there is a lot more to what is just being seen from the outside. The reason I placed a cloud as the photo for this post, is because that is what it is like. Firstly, it feels like a cloud is constantly hanging over you and you don't know whether the cloud is going to go and the day is going to be clear, or if it is going to rain for days on end. 

I have been living with depression and anxiety for 6 years now, and everyday I still find it a constant battle. I know that people think that if you have depression then you can never be happy. That is not the case at all. Some days I will be incredibly happy, but like I said before I have a constant cloud over my head which can make my mood change in an instant. Anything can trigger off the side effects of depression. Some days I feel as though I physically can't bring myself to get out of bed and go to uni. The thought of getting the bus to uni alone terrifies me, and I find that I begin to feel so so sick, but that it just the anxiety kicking in. 

I am on medication for my depression and anxiety, and have been for 2 years now. I chose to go down this route because I feel as though this is the only method that helps for me. After trying all sorts of methods, I found that this is a last resort as nobody wishes to be dependent on medication for a long period of their life. However, after living with my illness for 6 years already, I didn't see what the problem is with relying on something that will eventually make me feel better.

One piece of advice that I will give to sufferers is that you always have to be honest and true to yourself. If you can't do that then you will not be able to access and take the help which is available to you. Because honestly, in the end everything will be OK. 

BEING AT UNIVERSITY WITH DEPRESSION & ANXIETY

Photograph can be found HERE

When I submitted my university application last year, I knew exactly what I was going to be letting myself in for... And it was not within my comfort zone. 

Being a sufferer of depression and anxiety, the thought of branching out and going to university absolutely terrified me. I did not like the thought of moving away from my family, friends and small town into a city which I didn't know my way around, to be thrown into living with people that I did not know. Thinking of this led me to suffer more frequent panic attacks, and shutting myself away from everyone and everything. 

However, I was not giving up. University was what I wanted to do in order to achieve my dream.

Now that I have been at university for 9 months and being so, so close to finishing my first year, I would not have changed it for anything. I have made the most amazing friends whilst being here, created some of the most incredible memories, and if anything eased of those dark thoughts of depression. I have also had less frequent anxiety attacks and learnt to become a little bit more independent.

If you are going to university this September, and you too suffer from depression or anxiety, my advice is that you should not worry. Everything will fall into place, and find a way to make your university adventure absolutely amazing and special. Also, remember that each university offers support and guidance if you ever need it, so you will never be alone. And remember, make the most of everything. 

Life Update | Results Day On The Horizon, Kendal Calling & Anxiety

Hello lovelies, I hope that you are well!

These 'life updates' seem to becoming a permanent thing now, and to be honest I love writing them! I love to share with you guys what I have been up to and if I have discovered anything new to inform you on.

So firstly, like many other Year 13's out there, I have absolutely terrified for next Thursday as it is A-Level Results Day. This day determines whether I will be going to university or not, and whether I will be spending my Thursday night celebrating or drowning my sorrows. I become so nervous for days like this because I really am a nervous person, and the slightest thing can make me really ill. Therefore, I will need to calm down a little bit before next Thursday! Are any of you guys collecting your exam results and hoping to go to university in September?

Friday 1st August - 3rd August I went to Kendal Calling. Although the weather was absolutely shocking and it was an utter mud pit, I had one of the best weekends of my entire life. That was down to the people I shared the tent with, the people I camped with and the acts that I went to see. 

These are only a small amount of photo's that I have picked, and it doesn't give the amazing weekend enough justice. I have already decided that I am definitely going again next year!

Whilst at Kendal Calling, my anxiety got the better of my and I became very ill on the Friday night. I have noticed that recently my anxiety is making more of an appearance than I would like it to, and I need to learn to keep it under wraps. I don't know whether this has to do with turbulent friendships, exam results or going to university but it is beginning to get the better of me. My anti-depressants are supposed to help with my anxiety but they are not at all, so if any of you guys have any tips then please leave them in the comments below! Or even if you have any advice on coping with anxiety at university then please feel free to leave comments on that too.

So there is another life update. What have you guys been up to recently?