For the past few months i have been going through periods of feeling really down, it started with me crying most days or just feeling worthless and unable to do anything but sit there, i get panic attatcks somenights and heart palpitations through the day - feel like my heart it going to stop. I also keep thinking that no one truly likes me and that im not a good enough person to be liked by anyone, or to be someones true friend.

I am a 22 year old student in my final year of uni and live with 5 others - the other 2 girls have recently become really close and are now quite unfriendly toward me we dont really speak anymore and i spend most of my time in my room trying to avoid people at all costs. I have always been quite a quiet, placid and polite person - i hate upsetting people and always stick to my promises and try to be there for people when they need me- but im sat here wondering why i feel completely alone and like im hated by everyone, i always worry about not being liked.

sorry im probably being silly, just wanted to say it to someone.

I can relate. I'm at university and its not easy living with people that you have problems with. I've felt depressed due to problems with my housemates and its a very invasive, isolated feeling.

You sound just like me. You need to concentrate on the wonderful things about you and keep in mind ALL the time that there is nothing wrong with you. If they don't like you, then it's their problem. What they think of you, good or bad, is none of your business. What your business is continuing to believe in yourself and trusting that there are people who are polite and quiet and nice just like you.

I know it's very easy to give this advice, but very hard to do. I'm still struggling with this and I've been trying for years now. Hang in there and soon you'll be graduated. Hold your head up and surround yourself with positive energy. Pretty soon you'll be attracting many nice people just like yourself. :)

Hi brunette1984,

I myself am quite shy & have been all my life. I'm in my 20's but have been dealing with depression in one shape or form since I was sixteen. I also constantly question whether people like me or not, it can become quite taxing emotionally as I'm sure you know. So in that respect you are not alone in feeling that way. You come across like a a very compassionate person and I'm sure anyone would be glad to have you as a friend.

Try not to let this spell of sadness get to you. Focus on the positives, such as being in your last year at uni. That is quite an accomplishment, you should be proud.

Wish you all the best & hope things start looking up for you.

Thank you all for replying - really. They brightened up my day!
The girls i live with are away for the week now - phew... but im gonna try my hardest to just believe a little more in myself and not care quite so much what people think - so hard though....!
Thanks again - you all seem lovely!

Brunette, why do you feel that you are so worthless? I had to overcome this also and I discovered where it came from. You must find your worth and value and believe in yourself because no one is going to do it for you. I think that in order for a person to feel that they are valuable that they have to discover how their worthlessness developed in the first place.

I dont know really, its hard to put my finger on it... i guess i just feel inferior to others around me, i wonder why anyone would like me or want to be my friend / live with me / go out with me etc.. and then at uni i feel far too quiet and like all my answers are inadeuate and dumb. I have been the same all my life really, i have always been quiet, but really insecure of it.

I just dont feel like i am as good as anyone else, but think why should i be im nothing special i guess?!?

Terri xx

I can totally relate to felings of worthlessness, I havent figured out why yet, but I do know where they came from. I think it has a lot to do with self-talk. I know that I am trying to not be so hard on myself- and when I feel like Im starting to put myself down- that I try to remind myself that I am a great person. The things that you tell yourself that make you feel like you are worthless are lies! I also know what its like not to get along with roommates- I had 4 other roommates and one of them had a very rude boyfriend who would constantly make fun of me. He was also always there! So I felt so trapped in my own house. At first I blamed myself for not being more likeable- but you have to realize that its not you... its them! I know its hard because our first instinct is to blame ourselves- but seriously there are some jerks out there.. I live on my own now- and it is so nice to come home and not have to worry about other ppls rude comments. Wish you all the best.

Brunette and drgirl, you both say that you don't know where it comes from. I have a guess where it comes from. It might come from someone not appreciating who you really were when you were growing up. This job is really for our parents. Every human being needs to be appreciated for who they REALLY are. Many people grow up with their parents wanting them to be someone else or their parents being focused on their own issues and never really seeing their children for who they really are.

Go to your student health service and talk to them. Most of the serious mental illnesses start at your age, and while the overwhelming likelihood is that you do not have anything seriously wrong, it will not hurt to be seen and checked out. Depressions are serious. They affect about 10 percent of the population. The good news is that they are treatable. And your Health Service is required to protect your privacy. No one can find out unless you sign a waiver.