I think I might be suffering from Teenage depression

[accio! chickens]

I suggest you see your doctor regarding this. I was diagnosed with disthemia several years ago, kind of like depression light. I had given up horse back riding, was doing poorly in school, gained weight (about 40lbs). It had started when my dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was 9, but I wasn't formally diagnosed until 16 when my my parents found out I stopped riding... the only thing that ever kept me from hating life too much. My horse was my bestfriend.

The sudden evolution of my 'depression' was brought on by some issues I was having with a boyfriend and my friends at the time. I was on anti-depressants for about 2 years, then went on a weightloss drug because my metabolism is dead, literally, and am now on no medications. Sometimes I feel like crap, but it's not always

Get help if you think you're depressed. Nothing bad can come of it

 

[accio! chickens]

Quote:
Clinical depression has no set amount of rules. A friend of mine is clinically depressed, she takes the most pleasure in something she enjoys doing... Drinking and taking prescription pills. At first after high school she did it cause it was what we did, drank at parties, and then she started taking a couple more pain killers, sneak a perkaset, etc.

And she cares almost TOO much about her appearance/hygeine. She's obsessed with looking good and can never see how beautiful she is, she dolls herself up but it's never good enough.

 

[claud]

It sounds like normal dulldrums to me. That coupled with being a teenager(hardest time in your life IMO).

Talking to your mom is a good idea. If you're really comfortable with your doctor then it's ok to talk to him/her but some docs just want to medicate.

First, make sure you are taking care of yourself in general - getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, excercising(we know ALL teenagers do these things

.

Take a Vitamin D supplement(about 1000 IUs). You can try St John's Wort to get you over a "hump" if you want. Studies have shown that St John's Wort works just as well as a popular anti-depressant.

Most of these minor depression "episodes" will pass with time and always remember that being an adult is way better than being a teenager so it won't last forever(IMO).

If things get worse then it's definitely time to talk to parents/doc/guidance counselor.

 

[kayjuggler]

Hi there. I'm a mom of teens and I work in the mental health field. You did the right thing in reaching out to the great people on this forum. You probably needed to "practice" talking to your mom. See how supportive everyone has been? Talk to her. Yes, she will worry...that's her job. You job is to figure out what's going on with you. Good news: you aren't suicidal, you haven't lost interest in things that you normally enjoy and you sound like your self esteem isn't the issue. This tells me this is probably brain chemistery...could be hormones, could be sleep deprivation...don't underestimate that, could very well be seasonal related. There are real syndromes related to the decreasing light..chickens aren't the only ones sensitive to light. Other info for you: getting in to a see a psychiatrist can take a long time in some places. However, there is a LOT you can do to help yourself. I am not anti-medication but I think we sometimes we put too much emphasis on the need for meds and "experts". Your plan needs to be to get support (mom), get moving (exercise), get enough sleep, and get involved (Hobby, volunteer, do something for others). There is plenty of reseraach that supports the value of all of these things in treating depressive symtoms. And, don't be afraid of seeing a psychiatrist. You might be offered medicaiton and if you don't want it or it doesn't work for you..you don't have to take it. I think people are sometimes afraid that they are somehow going to loose control of their decision making if they see a mental health professional.. They aren't voodoo doctors and they do not have magic abilities. They are just people too. Someitmes, people who have experienced mental illness themselves!
Good luck and let eveyone know how you are doing...on and off the forum.

 

[gaited horse]

Quote:
I will talk to my Mom sometime next week.
I am in a lot of 4h so I don't know if I have time to take on more hobbies but i will try and I will try to find more service projects over the next few years.
I don't think it's just the winter cuz I do feel like that in the summer.
Thanks Red for the offer.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

It is great that you can share and ask for opinions. It could be alot of things but to find out better you really should talk to a parent and let them know how you are feeling.
Its hard having all those changes going on and when you're a teen things are changing all the time. That's why teen years are kind of hard. Can be lots of fun but the hormones are swinging all the time.
I wouldn't worry too much about it but I would find out why. It could be the weather, hormones or you may need a little medicine to get by. And if you do need medicine it does not mean you need it forever. Sometimes people use it to get through a rough time and never need it again.
Good luck and I am really glad you are smart enough to ask for some help.

 

[gaited horse]

I am thinking of bringing it up tomorrow on the way to the ortho but I can't think of a way to bring it up.

 

[Daisygirl]

"Mum, I dont feel so well?"

 

[dacjohns]

I think you need the old biff twang

.

Seriously, asking for help is a good thing to do. You've received some good advice so how you follow it is up to you. If you aren't comfortable with talking to your parents talk to your Scout leader.

How to start the conversation with your mom, "Mom, I've been feeling a little down lately." You could always practice on your horse.

Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are always good.

 

[frankenchick]

If you can't get started, why not try the ol', "There's this kid at school. . ." gambit? Talking about it in the third person is easier, and if your mom is like this one, she'll know who the real subject is.

Really, she'll want to know.