Post Graduation Depression: How to Deal When You’re Feeling Lost

It’s no secret that post-college depression is a real thing. For many students, the transition from student to working adult is a difficult one. Suddenly, you’re responsible for your own life and you may not know what to do next. If you’re feeling lost and don’t know how to deal with post-college depression, don’t worry! We’re here to help. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for overcoming post-graduation depression and getting your life back on track.

Post College Depression – What is it and What does it mean?

Post-college depression is a feeling of being lost and confused after completing undergraduate or graduate studies. It can be accompanied by anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, and feelings of pointlessness.

For many college graduates, the post-college transition is a difficult one and they have trouble adjusting to their new environment after their academic journey has come to an end. Suddenly, you’re responsible for your own life, your own place, and you may not know what to do next. You may feel like you’re not good enough or that you’ve made a mistake.

Oftentimes, recent graduates are dealing with mental health conditions along with the added stress of student loan debt. Plenty of recent grads are left wondering what good a bachelor’s degree is when you have a mountain of debt to pay back afterward. It’s no surprise that major depressive disorder is the most common mental health condition among college students, according to a report from the American College Health Association.

Don’t let post-grad depression get the best of you! There are a variety of mental health services for emerging adults that can help you get back on your feet and start living the life you want to live.

How does post-grad depression affect your mental health?

Post-college depression can lead to anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, and feelings of uselessness or emptiness. When young adults are feeling overwhelmed by these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional like a licensed professional counselor, as they may be early signs of a serious mental illness.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

-Loss of interest in activities, including sex

-Decreased energy or fatigue

-Sleep disturbances, including Insomnia or hypersomnia

-Changes in appetite or weight

-Anxiety, irritability, agitation, or restlessness

-Guilt

-Hopelessness, uselessness, feeling empty

-Slowed thinking, concentration problems, and indecisiveness

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are some things you can do on your own to help deal with post-college depression. If these feelings get worse or more intense, you may have a serious mental illness and need to see a health care professional.

Here are a few easy mental health tips for post-college life:

Keep a healthy social network

Talk to your family members, friends, and other adults about how you’re feeling. It’s important to have a support system if you feel depressed. Your well-being is important.

Get involved in your community

There are many ways to do this, such as volunteering, joining a club, or becoming involved in local politics. Giving back to your community can help you feel more connected and purposeful.

Identify your passions and interests

What makes you happy? What do you want to do with your life? Once you know what you’re passionate about, it will be easier to find a full-time job or career path that suits you.

Create a game plan

After you’ve identified your passions and interests, it’s time to create a plan of action for post-grad life. What steps do you need to take to turn your passion into your dream job?

Set goals for yourself

Once you have a plan, it’s important to set goals and maintain healthy habits. Having specific goals will help keep you motivated and on track, this is especially helpful for new graduates who are in a new environment and have trouble adjusting.

Take action

It’s not enough to just have a plan and set goals; you need to take action! Don’t let post-graduate depression win. Get started on your career path today.

Seek help from a health care professional if needed

If you’re feeling lost after your college graduation, know that you’re not alone. Post-graduation depression is common, but there are things you can do to cope with it and get on track with your life. Be sure to create a plan of action, set goals, and take action!

If post-graduation depression is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s important to seek professional help from a mental health professional like a licensed professional counselor or therapist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Depression and Substance Abuse

It’s not uncommon for young adults struggling with post-graduation depression or mental illness to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, especially during early adulthood and their college years. If you find your drinking or recreational drug use is getting out of control, it’s important to reach out for help. Substance abuse can quickly lead to addiction, which is a whole other battle.

Substance Abuse vs. Addiction

Many people believe that abuse and addiction are the same, but there is a big difference between the two. Addiction is a disease that changes the brain, making it difficult to stop using drugs even when they’re causing problems in your life. While abuse is defined as using a recreational drug or experimental drug, without developing an addiction. However, substance abuse can still lead to addiction if it’s not dealt with early on.

Find Mental Health Professionals Online

If you’re feeling lost and don’t know how to deal with post-graduation depression, don’t worry! We have good news for you.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that post-college depression is normal after college graduation. Many recent graduates feel lost after graduating college. The most important thing you can do is to reach out for help.

Many online counseling services can help you deal with post-college depression. These counselors are licensed and experienced in helping many young adults and recent graduates through difficult times. They’ll work with people from any age group to find emotional support and ways to overcome their mental health issues.

1 in 5 Americans lives with a mental health condition

Post-graduation depression is a real thing. Many recent grads feel disoriented, confused, and sad after finishing school. It’s normal to feel like this after such a big life change, but if you’re struggling, there are ways to get help.

Counseling and therapy can be extremely helpful in dealing with post-graduation depression, but if you need help now, please don’t wait. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in immediate distress. Here are some resources that can help you get the support you need:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Let’s hear it!

We want to hear from our readers. Have you ever dealt with post-college depression? What was it like for you? What other tips would you give to recent grads who are dealing with post-graduation depression? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Thanks for reading! And if you’re dealing with postgraduate depression, we hope this blog article eased your mind a bit.