How I Beat Depression

Depression is a problem commonly faced by university students, particularly those having trouble adapting to the pace and style of university life. In particular, rural students who have moved away from home to attend university often find themselves having trouble coping with so many changes happening in their lives at once. This was my particular experience.

Having moved to Melbourne from a small town in Gippsland, there were many things for me to take in and I often felt overwhelmed. My first year of study was spent finding my footing academically and socially, as well as adjusting to living in Melbourne and juggling study and a part-time job. It was in my second year, however, that I started to experience some problems.

Despite having found equilibrium between work and study and having a wonderful personal life, I found myself becoming increasingly depressed. I lost interest in almost everything that I'd previously enjoyed, I constantly felt sad and hopeless and I was crying a lot for no apparent reason. I started leaving lectures early because I suddenly could not cope with being where I was.

With the encouragement of some friends I started seeing a counsellor on campus. She was able to give me some advice on dealing with my immediate feelings, as well as working on some of the issues that were causing these feelings. I also spoke to a campus doctor and explained what I was experiencing and she prescribed me some anti-depressants, which have helped me enormously.

Thanks to the support provided by the counselling and medical services at Monash, I am back to my old self and able to participate more fully in all aspects of my life.

Anonymous,
English (Honours)