Dropped out of college, again, what now =(?

I've been suffering with social phobia/depression for about 5 years, I'm 19 now. After getting good GCSEs in school, things got worse in college, I became very depressed and missed a lot of lessons. I only made 2 exams. I managed 2 'c' AS grades from that year (not good). I left after that. Next year I 'ran away' as was told I couldn't stay at home anymore, went volunteering abroad. There I decided I'd give college another go back home,my last chance at it, this time studying subjects which really interested me; psychology politics and biology. My social phobia got really bad again and became depressed, had no friends, I was back to skipping lessons, couldn't concentrate on work etc. so, college threw me out. And now, I am back to square one, working part time shifts in a garage, no prospects, no social network. My motivation is at an all-time low but I know I need help. Could someone please give me some advice on what to do, I know I am quite bright but feel hopeless now?

Dropped out of college, again, what now =(?
how about a trade?





do you like to fix things?





college is not for everyone.
Reply:i dont know what help you have already had but if you have not been to your gp then i think you should, they can put you in touch with people who can help you work through your depression and phobias, i think you should stop looking at what you have not achieved and focus on what you have, take things one step at a time you can always return to education once you feel more able to cope as you say you are bright, you have got gcse as levels this is more than a lot of people get even with no problems so dont feel a failure, you just need some support and encouragement, i think once you get help you will find your social network will broaden as you will feel a more confident person. just dont give up, dont take no for an answer, good luck
Reply:Please go see a doctor! You don't have to suffer like this! You can live a normal life you just have to get help.
Reply:The problem is your depression. It sucks the joy out of life in all areas. At the moment you are working in a garage - you have the potential with your intelligence to learn a trade that will provide you with a good income, but your depression is making you feel as though this is somehow demeaning to your intelligence. My Uncle started as a garage hand and now owns his own garage and salesroom. He has many friends and enjoys the bountiful fruits of his labours. The key to his success was hard work and honesty - to himself and to his customers. No job is lowly - if we were all doctors and lawyers, we would be living in a pigstye with no electricity, plumbing or shops etc. Think about the real value of any job and you will see that it is the so called educated elite that look down their noses and pay so little for so much. You probably have been given a real opportunity to live a real life and to experience life in all its hardships. You can only grow if you accept where you are at, with all your potential and all your limititations. And never judge anyone by the hardwork that they do - including yourself. Your depression will lift when you understand that you have caged yourself with other peoples expectations.
Reply:It appears that you are suffering from a sort of depression. Go and see your doctor and you will be referred to a psychologist.





And college is not the only way to ensure a happy life. Some people do not take well to learning at college so you should concentrate on getting a job where you can do things without too much stress.
Reply:First thing to do is to get some help, you shouldn't be suffering like this. Others have suggested a bit of volunteering might give you some contact without strings attached and once you've gained some confidence, you'll be ready to enter a social network again. Once you're out of school you have to make a real effort to make contact with like minded people to set up that social network. Exploit a hobby if you have one, being with like minded people is a tonic, even if it's something that you do by yourself but in a group, like hill walking.


If you're serious about furthering your education, the OU would get you started without too much social contact, but as that really is your underlying problem, you must work on that first.
Reply:Working is good. You may think you're "just a mechanic" but you are serving others. There is a basic human need to have meaning.











Set some goals for yourself, and write them down, and when you're down, or bored, work on them.





Here's a few suggestions:





1. Decide you're going to start saving some of your paycheck every week. Set a savings target so you can own a home. Stop giving all your earnings to a landlord.





2. Build your part time job into something bigger. Think about an automotive trade school or vocational program. Remember, the world is full of college graduates who can't fix their own cars. Remember, every car you fix allows at least one person or family the freedom to work and move. You are not a thief, you are not a con man, you are doing real work with real value for others who need it, even if you don't know them.





3. The best way to overcome feelings of powerlessness or inadequacy is to *give* to others. Find a volunteer program and try it out for three months. If you feel you've done something good for someone else, your life has meaning. There's a lot of college graduates who have "good" jobs who can't say this about themselves. Stick with it for three months at a minimum, and decide if you want to keep on with it, or try some other way to give to others. Salvation Army, Rotary Club, Red Cross, and other groups like these do a lot for people in need. Rotary Club is generally an organization of local businessmen who are interested in community service projects, and they may be looking to hire a good person full time.





4. Connect or reconnect with a church.





5. Vent frustration or kill boredom or stress with writing, music, or art.





Talk about your goals, whatever you decide they are, with your family. If you form a vision of what you want to do with your life, and they are reasonable, straightforward, practical goals, you will find that they will want to help.