Post exam depression, is it normal Forum

[jad0re]

For me I know school was everything I had in my life for the past six months, but I'm fairly certain I got owned by the exams.
and crap there's actually life to deal with outside of school (christmas, people say) which I totally forgot about and it's insanely overwhelming. I feel like a caveman who just got teleported to modern earth.
I probably annoy the shit out of people if I talk, so I'd rather not. Which makes this worse but being alone doesn't help either. For one I don't know what to do with my time and I don't want to watch movies etc because shit reminds me of torts and whatnot.

Oh crap I think I'm depressed.
Grades will come out soon but definitely not looking forward to it since i might turn suicidal
Please tell me I'm not alone and what should I do to get out of this


*
fuck holidays and stupid social rituals. i never hated holidays more

[helix23]

I'm a 1L waiting for grades too. Just chill out.

[Nova]

You should see a doctor ASAP

[chem!]

OP - if you are truly feeling that low, seek some help ASAP.

You are not the only one in a funk, but yours sounds like a bit more than a funk. Take care of yourself.

[nagelbett]

Sounds totally normal to me. I have felt just like this for a few days after each semester. It will pass.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

If you were depressed, you would have been depressed long before your exams.

[midnight419]

You should make an appointment with a doctor or therapist.

[BaiAilian2013]

This could be normal. I was otherwise healthy and I went NUTS after 1L fall exams. The holidays definitely did not help. It was like this huge extra ordeal I had forgotten was coming and was totally unprepared for, emotionally and otherwise. Then on new year's I had the worst panic attack ever, out of nowhere. But grades will come out, and life will be okay regardless of how you did. If you keep feeling this way, them yeah, get help. But I totally remember feeling this way.

[Taus11]

.

[09042014]

You gotta make sure school isn't the only thing in your life.

[lawhopeful10]

Hang out and go hard with non law school friends. I was feeling really anxious over the enormity of 1L grades and still am but I feel best when I chill with non law school people and just talk about other things.

[brotherdarkness]

.

[snowpeach06]

Honestly, I was always in a bit of a funk after I finished finals. I think it was the difference between working so hard, and then all of a sudden having no purpose. It also signified a time of year when lots of things would change, and I tend to not handle change super well. It always went away after a week or so. But, my best advice is to confide in a friend. Being social just makes things seem less off. If they care, they'll let you talk their ear off, and it might just make you feel better. I hope things start looking up.

[odoylerulez]

You'll probably be fine. This is more normal than people here are letting on, I think.

Your story sounds a lot like what I went through after first semester. Getting my grades back sort of helped me snap out of it.

But, talking to someone won't hurt if you think you need it.

[doctoroflaw91]

I can definitely identify, as someone that deals with chronic anxiety/depression, and as someone dealing with the post-exam blowback. Here is my two cents on what you've said: If this is a chronic issue that you have been dealing with for a while, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Almost all universities offer assistance for students dealing with depression and anxiety, and as I've found, the services available to law students are particularly helpful (I imagine that most law schools anticipate relatively high rates of depression and anxiety in their students, given the environment).

However, it's also possible that some of this is simply a result of winding down from the semester. As exhausting as it is, running at a million miles per hour during the semester, it can be equally as draining when you have absolutely nothing to do and plenty of time to ruminate on all of the little anxiety-provoking thoughts that get pushed to the back of your brain during finals week. Per usual, it's not something that you generally anticipate when all you can think about during the semester is having a chance to stop and breath. I've found that the best solution to this is simply distraction. Time off from school is an opportunity to focus on yourself and your well-being, all of the things that take a backseat during the school year. Do you enjoy exercise, have a desire to take up a new habit, have plans with friends, etc.? Often when I feel depressed, my first inclination is to stay in bed or laze around the house. But in reality, the best relief is to be distracted.

I hope that this helps some. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further. I am a seasoned veteran of anxiety and depression, but they are certainly beatable

[apollo2015]

Post exam depression is totally normal. I'd say it would be more unusual if one did not get depressed after finals (at least after 1L Fall, when you have the least idea how you will do).

Lets say you failed a class - you'll still be fine. In my Torts class 1L year there was a 3L who was repeating the class. He graduated, passed the bar, and is employed now. All turns out well.

[NotMyRealName09]

Yes. Have you ever been hazed? You were just hazed. It's ok. Also, it's no revelation that the holidays blow balls. Let me suggest you're suffering from "fuck I'm getting older"-itis. It's a common affliction. The journals differ on estimated causes and solutions, but all note the trend of have a fucking drink friend.

[Tangerine Gleam]

If you were depressed, you would have been depressed long before your exams.

Guys, hold up, I think we've got a professional in the thread.

[nebula666]

For one I don't know what to do with my time and I don't want to watch movies etc because shit reminds me of torts and whatnot.

[Black Hat]

OP,

I feel the SAME EXACT WAY!

Our whole lives for the past few months have been centered around law school! And suddenly the goal is temporally gone! For me at least, when I am not working towards something I am just swimming in a ocean of free time. It is driving me insane as well. But just hang in there, soon enough the grades will be in, and there will be a new set of demanding obstacles giving us the stress that we LOVE to hate! lol

[sd5289]

You should see a doctor ASAP

+1

I remember feeling a fantastic relief after fall 1L finals (and hell, spring 1L finals for that matter). It was much worse coming back from an awesome summer job and having to be in law school again...and that was before I realized what a shit show 2L is.

[jad0re]

Thank you so much TLS.
I think I'm out of it now.