Missing out on life

I have had both depression and anxiety for many years, and this has affected my ability to live a good life. Before I became depressed and anxious, I did not have much of a life either. I am 20 and have been experiencing depression
and anxiety since my mid-teens, and since then have had no social life, and I have done barely anything with my time except go to school at one time and to work. Right now, I am trying to figure out my life, but I am worried that
it will be really challenging to improve it now that it has been pretty empty for many years. I am afraid that I have missed out on years of my life that could have been spent otherwise being happy because I have been unable to
find treatment for my anxiety and depression. I am really stuck- I have no idea who I really am or what I want to do with my life, but I really want to move forward from this. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced
anything like this because of depression- if it has affected your ability to live a fufilling life. I was also wondering if living this way for so long can have a permanent effect, or if it is possible to move forward from  it and live a completely normal life?

Thanks for the advice. I am trying to find a Psychiatrist, but there are none that I know of that I am able to go to, so i'm trying to figure out what to do.

Hi Anxious0813,

It's hard to be suffering from depression and anxiety. I've been suffering from Dysthymia (chronic depression) for probably about 15 - 20 years.

There are things I do miss out, especially when it come to social activities. But sometimes I do try to go out of my comfort zone and be social. It's a hard ask because it gets really tiring after just an hour of socialising with other people.

I do well, one on one... so try to find someone you think you can be friends with and hang out once in a while. It does help with the depression.

Everyone has their own version of what is a fulfilling life. Mine's just being good at what I do, meeting my goals and have a happy family. Some of it is harder than others. It's again up to your own personality and desire for you to decide whether you're experiencing life to the fullest.

Baby steps is important, like what Sherine has said, a councellor is a good start. They will help you build some confidence. Also good thing to remember, they are there to help, they can't judge you, which mean you can pour your heart out without fear of them getting freaked out.

I'm happy to be an online friend to you if you wish, you can contact me by clicking on the blue mail icon under my screenname.