Never Give Up – How I Went from Mental Patient to Scholarship Winner

Life is a mystery. You never know what’s going to happen next. You can be having the best time one day and the next everything goes wrong. It always seems like the bad times are forever while the good times are fleeting. I want to share with you how I hit my lowest point to now setting new goals and working to accomplish it.

In the Hospital

In 2011, I was hospitalized a total of three times for my depression. Prior to being in the hospital, I was a ambitious college student getting ready for my last semester about to graduate a prestigious university. I had many things going for me.

But one day, I started having panic attacks. I was crying all the time. And many people noticed I wasn’t taking care of myself.

Being in the hospital helped me get back to myself. I met some very strange people who were just like me. Depressed and feeling weighed down by problems.

In the hospital, I learned the value of community. We would sit and watch television together. And everyday we had gatherings where we set personal goals, played games, and group activities such as arts & crafts. It was fun.

When I was depressed, I closed people out of my daily life. I would use the excuse I have work to do. I didn’t have much personal interaction with others. In the hospital, I enjoyed not having to worry about the work I had to do. I was able to have meaningful conversations and develop hobbies.

It was the first time, I really got to feel free from pressure. I was overwhelmed by my work. I was lacking in the other areas of my life.

Everyday we set goals. I was amazed at how we were in a confined space but able to set goals. The goals were small such as eat all my food or write in my journal. When I accomplished the goal, I felt good about myself.

I learned how to set goals and accomplish it. This sounds simple, but many people don’t set goals and become overwhelmed at the end of the week at how much they have failed to complete.

I use to be one of those people who is overwhelmed at the end of the week. Now I set goals each day. It helps me see what I have done, and what else I need to do.

I also write in my personal journal daily. I learned in the hospital to write down my thoughts daily, because you get a deeper understanding of yourself. A way to work on yourself is to take inventory of your feelings, actions, and moods. It helps focus your mind.

After my last hospitalization in 2011, my grandpa passed away. It was heart breaking. I became paranoid and I had the feeling like I was going to die.

I knew I needed helped. I went searching for a therapist in my area. I found a great therapist.

Finding my therapist

The first meeting I met my therapist. I was very open about what I was going through, how I was feeling, and what my goals were for the therapy. I felt comfortable around my therapist, and I knew it would help me get better.

I wanted to avoid going into another depressive episode. The only way was to get help. I had to let go of pride to admit I needed help and to actually get the help I needed. It was the best step I have taken for my life after my battle with depression.

Seek out medical help if you are depressed. That will help you feel better about yourself. My therapist has helped me see things from a different perspective. And I have someone to confide in who knows how to help me.

I am glad to have found my therapist, because I have seen how my life has changed. I no longer have to search for random people to talk with. I have someone who I can call and talk with about my problems.

Friends are there, but having an outside perspective gives you hope. And you can fully express what you feel without judgment.

It is not hard to find a therapist. What I did was search for therapist in my local area. I found it and called the number to set up an appointment.

It isn’t hard to get help. There are people out there willing to help you. I wanted to share with you how therapy can really improve your life.

One of my goals in therapy is to build self confidence and gain direction for my life. My therapist has given me tips on how to do this. I have implemented the suggestions, and it has helped me get my job and work on building this blog.

I Can Do Better

I always knew I wanted to get better. I didn’t want depression to rule my life. Seeing my therapist has helped me continue to live depression free. I have also sought out ways to live depression free.

I started this blog with my desire to share with you how I live depression free with a focus on changing my eating habits. I use to eat junk food all the time. And some days, I didn’t eat at all.

I knew I could do better for my health. In the hospital, I developed a habit for a eating schedule. Even when I was out of the hospital I followed the schedule for several months until I was able to eat three balanced meals a day without missing a meal.

My idea for a blog wasn’t enough. I had no knowledge of how to do it. I read the most popular blogs on the subject. I discovered Michael Dunlop’s blog, Incomediary.com.

From there it changed my life, I was developing my blog, but this helped me build the connections I needed and build the self confidence and implement a plan for the direction I want my life to go. I don’t settle for less.

I applied for the scholarship and I won. It was an awesome experience where I met the top Internet Marketers from around the world. I got to network and learn from others.

If I had let my set back control the rest of my life then I would not have won the scholarship. I took the time to develop my idea, and went out and did it. I wasn’t just talking about it. I was doing it.

I want you to know wherever you are right now, how you feel is only temporary things will get better. But for things to get better you have to know YOU ARE VALUABLE. You are valuable for who you are.

Don’t let depression get you in the slumps for long. You can get better and accomplish your goals in life. I have set a new goal, and I am working to accomplish it.

What is the biggest step I took to conquer my depression? I had the want to get better, and I took steps to get better. You have to want to get better. And take the necessary actions to get better.

I didn’t just sit in my house doing nothing. I started out thinking about what I have an interest in and what do I like to do other than watch television. From there, I sought out reading about what I like to do and ways to build upon what I can do.

I suggest you get active when you are depressed. And you will eventually find the things you need in order to get your mind focus. This is my advice to you.

It will take time. It took me 3 months to figure out a plan for my life. Most importantly, I didn’t do it alone. I got advice from a mental health professional.

If I can do it then you can do it. Never give up, no matter where you are in life. It doesn’t matter where you are now. The only thing that matters is where you are tomorrow.

I wish someone had told me this when I was going through my depression. I lacked motivation to do anything but sit in my house and watch television. I felt stuck.

Are you feeling stuck? Are you lonely? Read my blog and find the inspiration, knowledge, and tools you need to live depression free!

Conclusion

Your destiny is a mystery. Don’t let this disease ruin your hopes and dreams. Create a new goal. It’s never too late. The one thing you must do is get help from a mental health professional. If you aren’t in a position to get a therapist, there are hotline numbers and free clinics in your area to help you. You just have to find it. With the internet, finding these resources shouldn’t be difficult. Start today getting the help you need and conquering your depression.