What is wrong with me?!

student111

I'm an 18 year old girl who has just started college and am loving it but recently I have started to feel down for no apparent reason! I'll just wake up and feel awful. I randomly start crying and cannot stop but don't know what is the reason for it. Even though it never bothered me before my height is starting to upset me, I'm 5'3. I'm just starting to worry a bit because I usually am a very bubbly person and siting in my room alone feeling upset is becoming far too frequent! Can someone please help me?

A40D

Is this your first time away from home, maybe your homesick and your worrying too much,your stressing yourself out, enjoy college and never worry about your height,you have your whole life ahead of you.

student111

It is my first time away from home, maybe that's my problem!

A40D

Being away from home for the first time can be quite hard, but try and keep busy,stick to your plan and it should all work out just fine.

Merkin

Do you think you could possibly be homesick?

You say you sit in your room alone crying a lot. Are you crying because you're alone in your room or are you crying and need to be alone to do it? Have you spoken to a student counsellor about how you are feeling? How are you settling in to Uni overall? Have you made friends etc?

Eibhlin2011

Exercise is very good for lifting your mood when you're feeling down

Also, you could get a book on cognitive behavioural therapy - it's all about improving your mood by changing how you think about things

Maybe talk to you doctor too about depression if it won't clear up

Of course a doctors opinion would be useful if you may have depression. College doctors would be a good place to start. Cheap and accessible. They usuually come on the college site once or twice a week?

Another thing to consider is that Diet can massively change when you go to college. You might not be eating as well as before and this can affect a lot of people. What and how did you eat when you were at home? What and how do you eat now?

As others have said - home sickness is another possibility. Where does your mind be going when you feel down and crying? What do you feel and think and so forth when it happens?

New Home

I agree, a quick trip to the doctor's for a check-up and blood tests might help; for instance, it could be something caused by hormonal imbalances like a thyroid problem - I'm not saying that this applies to you, but a form of depression can be one of the symptoms for hypothyroidism, for example, and a blood test could exclude that.

(Mods, I hope this post doesn't contravene any rules on the forum - if it does, I apologise, please do let me know and I'll remove it right away. Thanks)

Rubberchikken

If there's a doctors surgery on campus, it would be good to get their opinion.

In the meantime if it's your first time away from home, it could be homesickness. And it is awful and upsetting.
I know. I suffered from it a long time ago. But it does pass.

Keeping busy is great. Exercise. Maybe a society.
Hope some of this helps.
Good luck

sunshine and showers

If waking up and "feeling awful" has been going on for a period of two weeks or longer then a trip to the doctor is definitely a good call.

Also see if there's a counselling service on campus. A few chats with a counsellor about homesickness and your height issue would probably be very beneficial. Lots of colleges have free or subsidised counselling.

student111

Thanks for all your replies! I think I will go and see the college councilor. I think I might have mild depression and wouldn't like it to get any worse.

Semele

A lot of people find uni hard OP. I certainly did, and even looking back now I can see how miserable it was most of the time. I really wish I'd realised at the time it wasn't normal and that something could be done about it if I told people.

It's only years later that I'm in postgrad study having a ball and realising that this is how it should have been all along. Your uni will be well used to people feeling the same, so definitely speak to student support or counsellors there.

kjl

Sorry, why is your height a problem?

5'3'' is fine for a girl, I am 6'5'' and I would have no issue dating a girl your height.

Mr. Incognito

I think, if you are in first year it might be a side effect of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is a depressant. Plus the Irish weather doesn't help.

Make sure you get outside for a few hours a day or go visit your mates so that you have some company

student111

Thanks for all the advice!

Eeden

You may not realise it, but quite a lot of students find college life difficult. It can be overwhelming and scary. The idea of being on your own, and trying to make your own way in the world can definitely be daunting.

I've known and heard of so many young students who feel just like you do (I felt that way myself, years ago, and unfortunately dropped out because of those feelings). Motivation can be difficult, and the whole idea of bureaucracy and red-tape to do with college, accommodation, etc can become something that you just want to avoid.

Also it's easy to become uncertain about the course you're doing and whether it suits you. Fear of failure can be a huge issue. Try to remember, you were good enough to get on the course you're on, same as everyone else.

I think the best thing for you would be to go to a GP or to check out any counselling your college has to offer. Remember, they have heard this kind of thing before, from many other students. Feeling overwhelmed is pretty normal, but if things are getting on top of you, it is best to try to get help as soon as you can.