Help coping with depression without medication (Unable to get any)
I'm new to this and still struggling to really open up on my issues, but I wanted to try here for the first time and see if it helps. I'm 18 right now, and have been in a fog for about 3 weeks now. I haven't been diagnosed with depression, but I've diagonsed with anxiety, and discussed what I've been feeling with my grandmother who has had it [Depression] for majority of her life. My aunt, and a lot of my female relatives also suffer from it, too. We've even speculated it's hereditary by now. And I worry sometimes if my dad suffers from it too. But to return to topic, this fog has just been draining me. I love to draw, and have been since I was only 2 years old. But ever since this whole thing started, I havent even touched a pencil to draw. I can't enjoy my favorite hobby, or even just watching a funny movie. It got so bad I wasn't even eating anything besides some small snacks and milk (this lasted 3 days). I sit in rooms with my mom and dad more than I have befored (they are divorced, so we have a schedule of when I visit each) just because I don't like being alone with my thoughts. They get negative, they get existential, and it sends me into panic attacks. It concots images and thoughts that I fear, and I don't know what else to do. I can't go to the doctor to get properly diagnosed. Mom insists I don't need meds and Dad always gets distracted. I don't have the heart to be super pushy either from it all. I've been fatigued from the depression, and sad from the anxiety. I don't have a job right now to pay for any medication if I go alone, and I can't seem to land one. My grades and schoolwork are getting worse and worse, and I just feel so overwhelmed, but it takes all my energy to just get out of bed. I also fear I suffer from ADHD/ADD as well, but again, cannot get diagnosed properly. Until I can get medication that helps, I just want to find ways, any ways, to get myself together again and enjoy the day without struggling to fall asleep again. To just enjoy my hobbies and life again. To just ignore the voices for a little while. To go back to when I wasn't plauged by it all daily Any advice you have, I'd be more than willing to hear and try ❤
@Norasimmer Hi there, thank you for reaching out and sharing this with us! It's very brave of you to reach out. I know it can be difficult to cope with depression when we're unable to access medication. I know you mentioned it's difficult even just getting out of bed, which is definitely understandable. Something I like to try when I'm feeling a similar way is, when I'm still in bed, grabbing a journal and writing down everything I'm feeling at the moment, and once I'm finished with that, I feel a lot less overwhelmed and it's easier for me to start my day. Writing down small goals, just one or two things I want to get completed throughout my day, helps too. We're here for you! 
After reading your entire post I am very surprised to find someone similar to me. I'm 23 rn and from what I've put together I'm the only one in my family who actually suffers from depression (not diagnosed just the signs are clear) since I was in high school. One way I've coped with it recently was just writing in a journal and expressing myself and my feelings. One thing I've noticed with me is when the depression kicks in heavier then normal is when I dont have something I'm focused on and I dont mean a simple task I mean something to hold my focus for days at a time. After getting out of a toxic breakup really sparked up my depression bad. My best advice is try to talk to friends more or just people in general since saying what you're feeling to someone who is willing to listen is the best thing. If no one is willing to listen or you dont trust someone then go with a journal since you still get to Express yourself without others knowing. Another big thing that helped me was exercise and going to the gym/staying active just helps clear the mind of everything going on. If I was you I would pick what you feel is the most important stuff in your life and focus on that so you dont get overwhelmed.
I'm a 56 year old new Zealander. Go to depression.org.nz. some really good material there. Exercise, make an effort to see friends, explore support groups in your area, talk to people, even if not just about how you feel and know that this will pass with time
