can someone help with my depression?

Question

im only 14 and i should be happy but im feeling really depressed lately and i dont know whats causing it. can someone help me?

Answer 1

The first thing I recommend you do is to make an appointment with a good medical doctor (but not a psychiatrist) to do a complete medical workup on you and a full panel of blood tests. The tests may reveal a root cause of your depression -- perhaps you have a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, lack of certain amino acids or a low-functioning thyroid. All of these things can be tested for and treated. Perhaps, once you have all of that corrected you won't need to take anything for your depression because the underlying cause will be corrected. Safe Harbor runs a website with a directory of holistic medical practitioners who will help you find the root cause of your depression: http://www.alternativementalhealth.com

If you do that, and your doctor finds all of your tests came back normal or if you start taking some supplements prescribed by your doctor but still don't feel markedly better then you may want to consider talking to your doctor about taking some herbs. Here are some herbs that you may find helpful:

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family that has been cultivated by Pacific Islanders for over 3000 years for use as a social and ceremonial drink. The first description of kava came to the west with Captain James Cook, who traveled through the South Seas in a number of celebrated voyages. To this day, when village elders or others in the Pacific Islands come together for a significant meeting, they begin with an elaborate kava ceremony. Currently, kava is used in Europe and increasingly in the United States to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

Valerian: Nature's valium. Another favorite for the treatment of anxiety is valerian. Derived from the dried rhizomes and roots of this tall plant, which grows in wet soil in many countries, valerian has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy. As a natural relaxant, it is useful for several disorders including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, menstural problems, and "nervous" stomach. Valerian acts on the brain's GABA receptors to produce a tranquilizing action that is similar to Valium-type drugs, but without the same side effects.

St. John's Wort: Wonder Weed. Imagine an antidepressant that is as effective as prescription drugs but has mild side effects, if any, and even boosts libido. Sound like a fantasy? It's not. You've just met St. John's Wort, an herb taken by many thousands of people every day. In fact, in Europe, Hypericum perforatum is prescribed by doctors five times as often as Prozac.

You can take herbs on your own without discussing it with your doctor or an herbalist (herbal supplements are available even at the corner drug store as well as on the internet and in health food store) But I recommend taking herbs under the supervision of a doctor or herbalist to make sure that you're taking the herbs and dosages that are right for you. I'll give you the website for the American Herbalists Guild: http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com Or if you really would like to see a psychiatrist, there aren't a lot of good ones but one who's awesome is located in Pacific Palisades California and I believe you can get medical advice from her by email (for a fee) Dr. Cass's website is listed below. Dr. Cass, unlike most psychiatrists, is an orthomolecular psychiatrist who has extensive knowledge of herbal remedies and tries to avoid psychiatric labelling of people. Dr. Cass has a website at http://www.cassmd.com

And if you're interested in reading about traditional psychiatry and why the drugs it prescribes are dangerous check out the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) website at http://www.cchr.org They're the foremost human rights organization documenting psychiatric abuse and advocating for psychiatric reform.

Answer 2

It is likely hormonally based. Go to the kitchen and make yourself a peanut butter sandwich (no jelly), and get a large glass of water, then come back to the computer, and munch and sip while you check out www.hufa.org, especially the symptoms link.

It is possible that your depression is due to low blood sugar, brought on by the changes in your hormonal levels due to puberty. After you eat, in about 30 minutes, you may feel a bit better. If you do, then low blood sugar is probably the cause. Then it is time to shut down the computer and do some mild exercise. You may also want to search Yahoo!Answers for this topic, as it is asked regularly, and has gotten some great answers.

Answer 3

Have you talked to your parents about your depression? I guess if you did they just shugged it off. If depression last longer than two weeks you need to seek help. You can phone your county Mental Health Center and explain to them and they may be able to put you in contact with a therapist. I would go to a psychiatrist to get medication if it is required. There are some great anti-depressants on the market. When you truly except the fact that you are depressed, or have accute anxiety, or just depsression; just remember that know one, especially your peers will understand, not even your parents. I am sixty-five and have been on anti-depressants for sometime. My family does not understand. No one will understand your feelings unless they have been through an episode of depression.

Take for instance 8493 with his, or her answer is what you can expect to hear. Take that answer with a grain of "salt". I wish you well...Rody_o

Answer 4

Depression is serious stuff and affects alot of people. Its really important that you talk with someone who cares about you - your mom or dad, a teacher, or a counselor. Everyone needs help sometime and its a good thing to go for help when you need it. Someday you'll return the favor. Below are some links with more information.

I'm glad you asked the question here. The next step is to ask someone who can talk to you face to face. My best wishes.

Answer 5

The most successful treatment for depression that I have heard about is eating 10 or 12 big ol' dill pickles 2 times a day for a week then add 8 apples a day and continue the pickles for another week. There, don't you feel better?

Answer 6

yh well guess what join the club, i'm 14 too...exept i'm probaly more depressed than you but if u wanna chat then my addy is [e-mail] its up to you just so u no this could b depression but its probably just a phase loads of ppl go thru it but some come outta it quicker than others if u feel like u can tlk 2 ur parents then do it just dont let them drag u down the docs. its totally pointless and u'll just get stuck with some stupid social worker and u wont have a choice (it suckz) anyway cya xxxxxxxx

Answer 7

Talk to someone about it. It is perfectly normal to be depressed. Just try talking to a close friend or someone u trust, maybe they can help u feel better or atleast find out the cause. U can also pray about it. I hope this helps.

Answer 8

hey i have been depressed for a really long time. talk to your parents about it and if they don't give you an answer your looking for than talk to somebody you can trust like a teacher or a friend and see if they can help you storm up some ideas about seeing a pshycologist. they can give you medicine that will help your depression. Also they can be a number of things that is causing it. like:stress,grief,abuse(any type) the key is to talk to a doctor. that is your best bet!!

Answer 9

At your age, if you don't know whats causing it, you might try writing down a list of things about yourself: likes and dislikes, or good and bad things. Make it personal, and be very honest. Examine the lists, and you'll be suprised what you'll find. Then, be brave and show it to your parents, and friends, because this sort of thing requires an outside opinion. It's always better to involve other people with something like this.

Answer 10

you are so young to be expressing such a hard time in your life if your depression keeps up for more than 2 weeks without any relief tell your parents you want to see a counsler to talk to or a psychiatrist to get on some meds when they ask whats wrong tell them the truth you dont know and you dont know why either meds and counceling can be a wonderful thing to help you good luck