Depression Info/Help please.?!
Question: Hey guys/girls.
I'm a 16 year old boy, and I've recently been asking a lot of questions about depression, hoping to get some answers, and have got some great responses, but still am looking for more help. Basically, I'm not the person I used to be, I'm sad and gloomy most days, friends have taken notice that I'm different than usual, I dont' enjoy the things I used to do, in short...I'd almost describe it as having an invisible layer covering me that stops any real emotion from emerging. It's sort of...trapped inside of me, and I don't want to let people know I'm depressed because they might look at me differently, so I'm forced to act normal..though on the inside I'm feeling horrible, and every day I feel worse and worse. Just so you know, I'm not self abusive, and I don't have thoughts of suicide. I'm content with living, I just don't feel the same, and I want to be the same person that I used to be: happy, excited to try new things, and basically just be a normal person again.
Answers: Hey guys/girls.
I'm a 16 year old boy, and I've recently been asking a lot of questions about depression, hoping to get some answers, and have got some great responses, but still am looking for more help. Basically, I'm not the person I used to be, I'm sad and gloomy most days, friends have taken notice that I'm different than usual, I dont' enjoy the things I used to do, in short...I'd almost describe it as having an invisible layer covering me that stops any real emotion from emerging. It's sort of...trapped inside of me, and I don't want to let people know I'm depressed because they might look at me differently, so I'm forced to act normal..though on the inside I'm feeling horrible, and every day I feel worse and worse. Just so you know, I'm not self abusive, and I don't have thoughts of suicide. I'm content with living, I just don't feel the same, and I want to be the same person that I used to be: happy, excited to try new things, and basically just be a normal person again.
You seem to be very articulate and introspective. Those are good qualities. Nobody on Y!A will be qualified to diagnose you. Even though you are seeking answers, it's best not do self-diagnose either. You must see a doctor and relate just what you have said here. I can understand why you don't want people to know you're thinking, feeling this way in general, because they might think of you differently or interact with you differently, and you have a right to privacy about your health matters....But the BIG question is why on earth do you not want your parents to know what is going on with you???? I can't understand that. If you caught the flu, you wouldn't mind telling them that and getting their help to get treatment, would you? If you were diabetic or needed new glasses, or broke a tooth.....you'd let your parents know about any of that, wouldn't you, so they could help you get treatment. What makes you think they would not be interested in helping you get treatment if you are depressed? It's a illness, and there are clearly defined medical treatments for it. We don't know where you are, but the laws vary from state to state about when a teenager can count on privacy from parents in medical treatments. The first thing you need to do, if you are adamant about keeping your parents out of the loop--which I have to say is not wise, because if by some chance they are involved in why you are depressed, all three of you could benefit from family therapy/counseling----but if you do decide to keep them out of the loop, you need to do some research to find out what the age is in your state when teens are allowed to make their own medical decisions and have privacy respected. Then, if you are in a state where you can expect medical privacy even though you are a minor, you need to come up with enough money to cover a doctor's visit and probably a prescription, so that your parents health insurance company doesn't send them a notice about a claim being paid. In other words, don't use your parents' health insurance plan.....again, not wise, but if you want to keep it private, that's what you have to do. It might be awkward, or uncomfortable, but it's by far better to have your parents in the loop, and aware of what you're going through and what you need, and be in a better position to be able to help you get what you need. To me that would be better than suffering in silence....Again, I feel certain that you are articulate enough to spell it out for them fairly clearly, and what you want and need from them....In other words, I feel certain you can set boundaries with them, too. Good luck in whatever you choose to do. And St. John's Wort will loose its' effectiveness as you get used to it....feel free to contact me, too, it you want. Perhaps I could help you figure out the best way to phrase this to your parents....
Depression is absolutely horrible. I can't tell you what to do in your situation but I will tell you how I handle it. The first thing I do is try to focus on all the positive aspects of my life. It can always be worse. Imagine yourself in other scenarios that are 100 times worse than yours. Be glad your not on a battlefield dodging bullets, putting your friends guts back in. Your 16 you have your entire life ahead of you and realize that what your going through is just a temporary thing and it is going to go away. Think of things that made you happy, listen to music that you like. What is depressing you? Is it worth it? And realize with depression you are your worse enemy. Everything seems to be ten times worse than what it really is, think about it all and it is not that bad. It is so easy to fall into a pit, realize you are your worse enemy again and ride it out.
I have been strugaling with depression since my junior year of highschool. It's really hard, there are some days when I feel allright but the rest of the time I am left expressionless. If you ever need to talk you can e-mail me.
heres ur basics
20% or 1 out of every 5 teens suffer from depression
there are 39,000 sucides a year that 89 a day or 1 every 16 min
suicide is the 3rd leasing cause of death among teens
most symptoms and reasons are unknown
2/3 of teenage depression is untreated
untreated depression leades: problem in school running away substance abuse low self esteems internet addiction cutting eating disoprders and sucide
most ppl need someone tom tlk to to get rid of depression
every teacher, parent and councelre is willing to help
TWLOHA.com has more info or u can ask me becuase i know a lot about this cause