Real Student Stories
True stories
This website has been developed with the help of students who have themselves been affected by low mood, depression or suicidal thinking and who have found ways to tackle this depression and overcome suicidal thoughts. You can read their stories here, told entirely in their own words (edited from face-to-face interviews). They provide just twelve examples of the many different ways in which depression can affect someone, as well as some of the many different ways in which depression can be tackled.
How to use these stories
There may be a variety of ways in which reading these stories can be helpful:
- You can get a general sense of what it was like for these particular people when they were affected by depression.
- You can see whether any of the stories has any similarities with your own story, helping you identify more of the factors which may be playing a role in your vulnerability to depression.
- You can compare the different stories, noticing how people have been affected in different ways. Similarly, even if your circumstances are similar to those in one of the stories, the changes brought by depression may have been very different for you
- You can notice how different things worked for different people, taking inspiration to find what works for you in tackling depression and seeking help.
Click here to see an example of how understanding your own story better can help you choose appropriate strategies for you. Click on the pictures to the left of each of the summaries below to read each story in full.
Rees
Social isolation and a sudden bereavement triggered depression for Rees on his year abroad, spiralling into increasing anxiety and sudden self harm. He is re-attempting his final year, having finally opened up to his parents...
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Iona
During Iona's most recent episode of depression she needed to plan strategies for keeping herself safe when her suicidal impulses felt overwhelming. Telling others how she felt, medication and CBT have all helped her back onto a more even keel...
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Tony
Issues contributing to Tony's longstanding low mood include low self-esteem, social phobia, and unresolved gender dysphoria. He has found general counselling useful at times, but feels he needs more concrete advice to be able to move forward...
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Lucy
Both Lucy's parents have had bouts of depression and her GP says she has 'bipolar' tendencies. Her depression and self harm started young, and although she feels she will never be totally free from it she feels she can live a good life and not let it rule her...
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Greta
Depression marred Greta's first degree as an international student in the UK, after difficulties adjusting and shocking events within her family. Despite a recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia, she is looking forward to a new independent start on her masters...
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Emily
Emily doesn't feel she has a right to label herself as depressed, despite the persistently self-critical thoughts arising from childhood experiences of being left out of groups at school and a growing sense of being a 'black sheep' in her family...
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Alma
An international PhD student, Alma made a serious suicide attempt in her teens and has battled with depression for most of her life. Intensive therapy has given her tools to help manage her depression and live productively...
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Aron
A high achieving international student with previous anxiety issues, Aron slumped into persistent low mood during an ongoing conflict with a housemate. Counselling has helped him understand better the contributing personal and family dynamics...
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Will
After several separate episodes of depression and anxiety starting when his parents split up, part time postgraduate student Will has learnt to accept his depression as a part of him that he needs to learn to live with and manage..
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Hiresh
Pressured by his parents to study medicine, Hiresh procrastinated and withdrew into isolation and depression. Now enrolled in an arts-based masters, he is challenging depressed habits with the support of his boyfriend...
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Leigh
Racism and confusion over her mixed-race identity gave depression a way in to Leigh's life. Grief over a miscarriage more recently 'pushed her to the edge', but she has found several creative strategies for moving forward...
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Megan
Years of bullying at school led to social anxiety and depression for Megan, who found socialising and making new friends at uni particularly difficult. Having the courage to tell someone how she was feeling helped her seek further support...
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James
A shy person from a close-knit family, James found the move away to his second choice university and course triggered a downward spiral into depression. He hopes the story of his experience will help others challenge their resistance to seeking help...
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