some advice please?

Question

hello- my name is amber and i'm 17. i was wondering if anyone could help me or give me advice on how to tell my mom that i may depressed and need professional help without her thinking that i'm crazy. for months, even though there is no reason, i have been sad, cried for no reason, irritable, had extreme weight gain, and anything and almost everything can set me off at any time of the day. i'm honestly tired of feeling this way. and i believe i need help. if you agree please give me advice on how to ask for this help without seeming like a hypocondriac (sp?). thanks everyone!

Answer 1

When you feel the moment is right, tell her.

There are millions of people out there with depression or on medication for depression.
Heck Im on Zoloft for anger!! :P

Seeking help for youself is very good for you, if you dont do it now, who knows what might happen. It could get worst and worst. Maybe even end up in suicide. You may not think your the kind of people to do that but I didnt either till a few years ago I started having those thoughts then finally went to my mom and got help.
It is very emotional, but its one of the best things you could do for yourself. Its very unhealthy and its nothing to be ashamed of.

Also if you need more help im sure there are plenty of sites out there to help.

I wish the best for you!! Good Luck!

Answer 2

First of all Amber you are a normal 17 year old and others have the very same problems as you are experiencing. You are not abnormal and don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes things seem to build and build and you feel like everything is collapsing upon you because every where you turn something else seems like it's kicking your butt. Know also that your mother loves you and cares about you therefore when you decide to talk to her do so in love and with concern. Tell her something is bothering you and you would like her advice and help and go from there. From your part set down some night/day and make you a list of things that are bothering you and causing you to be depressed. Now with that list in hand categorize it into things you have the most control over and the things you have least control over. Set aside the list you have the least control over for later and whatever you have the most control over take one thing at a time. Fight and determine to overcome that thing. As you win small battles overcoming the things you have most control over then battle the things, one at a time, that you have least control over. Some things you won't be able to overcome and just have to find a way to live with and then there will be failures so you should expect that but keep on fighting. Trust me that things will get better in time and age. Your best years are just about to begin, after High School. Until then try and learn to like that wonderful unique person you are and don't worry about what others think. Know your parents love you and are on your side even if you don't think they are. Good luck girl.

Answer 3

Amber dear, first of all you must remember that you are not crazy and you also are not the only young lady to feel depressed at your age. I'm sure there are more factors involved here than what has been mentioned. The first step to recovery has already been taken by admitting or realizing there is a problem. The second step is to receive help with or without your mom. If you feel comfortable and have a good relationship with mom, by all means do not waste another minute---------TALK to mom NOW!! If you are not really close to her, you are 17 and in most states that is legal to the degree of seeking medical help by yourself. If money is an issue, check the phone book for agencies that might be free or using a pay-scale. Most important, Amber, is to seek help now. Best of luck to you honey!

Answer 4

Tell you mom you need to see a Dr. If you feel she will not make an appt call your Dr yourself if you have a way to get there yourself. If she needs to know what is going on tell her you are feeling out of sorts and think it may be more than just being a teenager let her know you feel it need attention before it goes any further down in depression. Or make up a reason to get to the Dr. but go. Good luck.

If that does not work see a school counselor. They should also be able to help you.

Answer 5

The problem could be Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, thyroid malfunction, unaddressed problems, hormones, dopamine level, Bipolar ......and so on. I am not a doctor but it could be millions of things. You seem very intelligent and articulate. The fact that you want to tell your Mom indicates that you feel she can help. Your in good shape. Now the hard part...show your letter to your Mom. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and have had cancer. The cancer was much easier to deal with mostly because I got help early. As soon as I found a lump in my breast I went to have it checked out. It was stage 1 (early detection) and fixed in months. The mental issues, however, I hid for decades. Started showing real symptoms in 1977 and am just getting help now. When you let it fester, it only gets worse. A word of advice in dealing with mental health professionals - do not take anyone's word as gospel. Find someone you trust, then verify their data. There are a lot of folks out there who claim they know what they are doing and don't, so take a healthy dose of skepticism. Most importantly, just because you don't understand what causes it, don't think you are bad for having this. I don't know what causes my heart to beat, I just accept that it does. No judgement or recrimination. You will save yourself a lot of grief to get help from a professional.

Answer 6

This is pretty normal, slightly on the depressed side for a teenager at your stage with the stresses and hormonal changes that are going on at this point in your life.
Try to tell her that you havent been feeling yourself lately, and that you think it may be a good idea if you went and got checked out. A normal family practice doctor probably will just talk to you your first visit, give you some coping strategies, maybe (probably not) refer you to someone in psych and maybe give you meds at the first visit.
If you want to talk to someone about things without it being a big deal, you may find it better to try a counciler (sp?) at school, then you dont have to talk to your mom at all. They are bound not to talk about what you say to them as long as you arent going to hurt yourself or others.

Answer 7

Hallo Amber,

First of all. take a deep breath. Go on Amber, take another deep breath .
Feel a little bit better?
Point of view? when everI feel low, blue, depressed. I take a deep breath and ask myself. did I have a heart attack? did I have a stroke? did I get in a bad accident. Did someone I love get badly hurt....... if not I really am having a great day. I really should not complain or feel sad. I tell my self, I should be ashamed of my self. nothing really bad happened.Your state of mind is really up to you.it is all about CHOICE.you can choose to be sad or choose to be happy. as long as you realized that you can do it. but it is good to talk to parents, friends. not to get their opinion. but to be able to talk your thought out. you will and need to find your own answers. your life is all about you. not your parents. you can do it. NEVER NEVER take prescription drugs. stay away from psychiatrist that prescribe drugs. drugs are dangerous. and know that everything is for the best. don't worry. be happy.
good luck

Answer 8

tell your mom you want to see the doctor for a medical reason, tell her you have pms all the time -- complain about your cycle -- at 17 this actually might just be a hormone problem. Im 41, been thru this too -- 17 is young, you're still a teenager. Seek medical advise before mental health advise -- usually the two are related for women.

Answer 9

Tell your mom the exact things you have said here. Especially if you are feeling like hurting yourself or others. A chemical imbalance is not the end of the world, and it does not mean she is a bad mother (my mom blamed herself). The pain and frustration you are feeling is real, and having someone to work through it with you is a blessing. I have been where you are, and I had anti-depressant therapy. It helped get my emotions back in control, and along with counseling, I find myself to be stronger and healthier than ever.

Answer 10

I know what your going through. For me, i felt the same way. I didnt want to be diagnosed as depressed and i was sort of afraid my mom would be dissapointed in me. But the best way to bring it up is to come straight out and say it. She knows somethings up already, besides it being obvious (the bursts of crying and getting irritated) shes a mother and can more than likely sense it but is not bringing it up because she doesnt want to make YOU feel uncomfortable.

Just bring it up calmley "mom as you know iv been sort of irritable and upset lately..i think i might need to see a phsycyatrist. Please try to understand."

And she will...thats what mothers are for :)