I am having a problem with my family?!
Question: Lately I found out some news that made me very depressed. (To say the least) I am so depressed about it that I can't eat or sleep. I can barely get out of bed. The problem is that I can't tell anyone because it is in some ways concerning them. Everyone keeps telling me to snap out of it. That I am making this up for attention. My mother keeps saying that I am not really depressed. That the only way people get depressed is if someone dies, leaves them or if you're having financial problems. But I really do feel depressed. Even if I did tell someone what is bothering me they'll just make fun, and say that is no reason to get yourself upset. I don't know what to do.
Answers: Lately I found out some news that made me very depressed. (To say the least) I am so depressed about it that I can't eat or sleep. I can barely get out of bed. The problem is that I can't tell anyone because it is in some ways concerning them. Everyone keeps telling me to snap out of it. That I am making this up for attention. My mother keeps saying that I am not really depressed. That the only way people get depressed is if someone dies, leaves them or if you're having financial problems. But I really do feel depressed. Even if I did tell someone what is bothering me they'll just make fun, and say that is no reason to get yourself upset. I don't know what to do.
My standard post on depression follows: See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies, Inositol, or SAMe. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even many weeks to become effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. It is always better to tell someone, ASAP: if not your family, then your school counselor, or religious advisor. Feel free to email me, through my profile: I'm in Australia, and I promise to keep it a secret, and not make fun of you. If you do this now, you may well feel relieved of your burden sufficiently to eat, and sleep tonight.
Well firstly your mum is wrong. It is very possible that you could be depressed and the burden of knowing something that you can't share is enough to bring on a depression. And then to top it off you have a family that are not taking you seriously. It is little wonder that you are struggling.
Please talk to someone - outside of the family - like a school teacher or school nurse or phone a help line. Its important that you find someone to talk to who can help you through this difficult time.
I'm glad you wrote into Y/A that's a great start and I hope you get some helpful advice.
Take care
i'm having a problem with my family. that made me smile, not in a happy way, but in this way: who doesn't have a problem with their family. family is a troublesome thing i tell you. i've never had anything but trouble with mine. that said, good luck.
oh yes, and please get on some medication for that depression. i was on meds for mine for 7 years. it's what i needed at the time and it helped me.
Tell your mom you feel ill. That will get you into seeing your family doctor. Talk to the doc about your problems. He/she'll take it from there and know what to do.
You'll get help and will finally be able to relax and be hopeful that you will once again feel well.