Is it possible for severe depression to hinder academic performance?

Question:I am currently a junior in college. I am doing ok academic wise but I know that I can do so much better. For instance I let myself get a B+ when I know I can get an A. I can't seem to push myself to do better in school. Also I tend to procrastinate lot which is totally opposite of my personality (INTJ). The less I tend to do in school the more depressed I get. I have been struggling with depression for the past 8 years or so. I have been to counseling several times. I have even been administered into the hospital twice already and don't plan on ever doing it again. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as an underachiever. I dont know how to overcome this. I feel like the reason why I under achieve is because I don't really see how that's going to help me in the future. Right now I have a 3.05 gpa and it will probably go up this semester. What I want to know is if there is a correlation between depression and performance?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am currently a junior in college. I am doing ok academic wise but I know that I can do so much better. For instance I let myself get a B+ when I know I can get an A. I can't seem to push myself to do better in school. Also I tend to procrastinate lot which is totally opposite of my personality (INTJ). The less I tend to do in school the more depressed I get. I have been struggling with depression for the past 8 years or so. I have been to counseling several times. I have even been administered into the hospital twice already and don't plan on ever doing it again. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as an underachiever. I dont know how to overcome this. I feel like the reason why I under achieve is because I don't really see how that's going to help me in the future. Right now I have a 3.05 gpa and it will probably go up this semester. What I want to know is if there is a correlation between depression and performance?

Huge difference. Yes people lump all in this general bin called "depression" It sounds lame. What the heck does the word mean?

One is not depressed per se. One is just completely unmotivated to do any better than what he/she is doing. One had dropped his/her standards and let go of the "edge" to be the sharpest part of the knife. The constant grinding, the honing , the idea of putting ones self on that edge is is not as attractive as it was a couple of weeks, months ago.

I think it is normal.

However, society rewards only the ones who will be on the precipice , staying there all the time with a balancing act and pretending life is grand. Teachers will be rooting, so would parents, relatives, etc.

"Our top students, yes, our very best are there. Arent we great?" Isnt the school great?"

By all means, live the dreams of your parents and school officials. Work for an A+. 4.0 should be your goal. Depression is a crutch for poor performance. If anyone or more than one member of your family died and you failed to take all the tests on time, submit the term papers, was absent for long periods of time, your grades suffer. Your grades go downhill. You might live your life wondering what might it have been to get those 3.5 to 4.0 GPAs, but in your heart you know that you will cheerfully flunk any school to get your loved ones back. You are after all a genius. Arent you?

So let go of that depression excuse. Get that focus into gear.

From personal experience. yes.

logically - if you feel good you do good
but hey it's hard to feel good all the time

yes there is

One of the greatest American Presidents Abraham Lincoln dealt with depression. I believe it was his faith that enabled him to not go over the edge and serve the nation when he did.
Later.

from my own experience with depression, yes, it can hinder academic performance. it can also hinder a lot of other things.
it's a good start that you've got so much insight about it and that you've had it treated in the past. keep on working on it. have you considered trying antidepressants? it isn't always the answer, but for some it can be.
i truely wish good luck to you.

Most definitely depression will have an adverse affect on academic performance. The attitudes that we enforce when we are going to bed and rising in the morning can have a prolonged affect on us during the day. A light work out, reading something funny or just choosing to wake up and decide it will be a good day can have positive influences. Many people that I know will wake early for exercise and some time in the Bible before their day and although it may be a bad day it is just one day in the light of a bigger picture.

This may sounds silly but.... Happy Days.
Bai

yes , I know that it did to me a few years ago. I lost my scholarship for that year because of it. Depression can always affect performance on so many levels whether its academic , sexual , physical , social . The severity in each aspects of performance is different from people to people.

I have the exact same problem, and I'm in your year at college, too! One of the main things I've started and mean to maintain is regular meditation. It does help a lot to make ur concentration better! Also now I hang out with positive, supportive friends. Dont worry, buddy, we can get there and achieve our full potential! We can do it! All the best to you! :-)

there is definatly a correlation between depression and performance. when you dont feel good then you dont put forth the effort. if you dont feel good then you may be lazier and even with effort its still not enough to get a good performance. you just need to push through the wall in front of you. go to a quiet place without distractions to study or do work. go to a park, a coffee shop or your room! turn the tv off, put head phones on or if theyre distractions then take them off! you seem to get good grades but if you want to perform your best then you just have to, like i said, push through the mental wall, the barrier and do your work the best you can. and if your depressed then do things to make you happy. if you really like mocha lattes then go get one! i know college students have a tight budget but indulge a little. you know whats best for you and you should follow your own guidelines and path. just be happy and keep pushing! i know when your depressed "just being happy" is the hardest thing to do but you need to stop "mopeing" and know you are a smart person and if you do really well and be the best of your abilities will let you be then you will be successful in life! and as an extra bonus if youre really smart and get good grades then a great job then make a lot of money hot babes will flock to you ; ) just kidding but some guys like that stuff : ) know that everyone gets depressed some time in their life and some go in longer ruts then others but you just need to keep on trudging through life like everyone else has to do too! good luck!!!

yes

Simply, yes.
Since you've recognized this, you do have an advantage.