Uncertainly Depressed?

Question

I'm not sure if I'm clinically depressed or have some other sort of mental problem so I was wondering if anyone would be able to help clear this up because it would also help me approach my mother (I am fifteen) with the problem.
I have been struggling for maybe over a year and am always irratible, extremely depressed to where I sit almost on the verge of tears (which doesn't usually happen) for hours when I'm home, and am always ALWAYS tense. My parents divorced about 6 - 7 months ago and now my mother is in the hospital because of a serious kidney/bladder/blood stream type infection. This is obviously made it a lot worse and I now contemplate suicide but whenever I'm at school I seem happy and have noticed myself of being such. Would this be a lesser form of bipolar or is it depression? Thanks for the help in advance.

Answer 1

Depression isnt really a medical anything its all in your mind god wouldnt do that to you the devil is trying to convince u to believe you have it

Answer 2

Before I say anything, if you've been contemplating suicide, you do need help regardless of what anyone says.

What you've just described sounds like a typical situation to be depressed about, but diagnosing you for clinical depression is up to a psychologist. A major break-up such as a divorce is viewed by most as what is called "grief" and is completely normal. The fact that this has lasted 6-7 months though and has disrupted your daily life in such a way, however, does mean that it has become a serious problem. There are so many websites that you can look at that will tell you the symptoms. Type depression in any search engine. And you've just mentioned a few of the major ones: irritable, tense, verge of tears most of the time. You should definitely see a therapist or a psychologist about this because you don't want this to escalate and it certainly well could if you're not careful...you don't want an anxiety disorder.

Suicide isn't the answer to anything...you think you're mom has it rough now having gone through a divorce and now has a kidney infection? Try losing a child...there's no recovering from that. I don't think she deserves that, do you?

In terms of a "lesser form of bipolar"...no, I don't think so. Most bipolar people although they have ups and downs (happy in school, but depressed at home), they can't control them at will. You're in school surrounded by friends and your mind is distracted and you can function better...that's normal. And mania (the extreme highs) are not just periods of being happy (in fact, many are miserable during these periods they're usually just not as bad as the lows, but are risky periods where most people do things they normally wouldn't do such as gamble with money or even their own lives.

Life's tough right now, happens to all of us, in the end you'll be fine. Talk to someone though because what you're saying sounds a lot more like depression than grief. I feel you need to categorize it as "bipolar" to validate your depression which is not true at all. Major depression is just as debilitating and should be dealt with. Talk to a therapist or a counselor at school and get some help.

Wish you all the best. - Albs

Answer 3

The following was sent to me several years ago and still helps me! It may help you too:

Natural Highs or Things That Will Help Make You Feel Good! Think about them one at a time before going on to the next one. It does make you feel good, especially the thought at the end #45.
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting a card or letter in the mail
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.!
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into someones eyes and knowing that they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke
24. Friends.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29 Playing with a new puppy or kitten.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38. Holding hands with someone you care about.
39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40 Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Answer 4

It sounds to me like you're depressed. Having struggled with depression myself, I can empathize with you.

My guess is that it might be your interaction with other people at school that sort of puts the problem out of your mind until you're alone, when it hits you.

It also sounds like you have ample reasons to be stressed and unhappy, and I'm very sorry to hear that. I can't stress this enough-- go see a doctor as soon as possible. It's highly likely that your depression will get worse as it gets colder outside (I always get discouraged in the winter) so it's in your best interests to seek help now. A doctor can prescribe you medication that can greatly help alleviate your suffering and allow you to be happy again.

Another option that is almost as helpful is talking to a therapist. Don't worry about the stigma of being mentally unstable-- you're NOT, and it's a perfectly normal thing to do-- in fact, more and more people are seeing therapists to alleviate stress in their lives. Sometimes it can help just to have someone to talk to who is qualified to help you sort through your problems. It's easier when you don't have to carry it alone.

Remember: suicide is not an option. I am positive that there are many people who love you and cherish you (even though it may not seem like it) and you deserve to be happy and to live a long and satisfying life.

Answer 5

I'm sorry to hear about your mom and all you've been thru. It's a lot... two very significant life altering events in less than a year, and your body is on puberty's hormonal overdrive, too. You'd be a little bit off if it wasn't affecting you emotionally. I'm not a professional but it doesn't sound like bipolar to me. It sounds more like a heck of lot of life stress, probably feeling a little powerless about controlling what goes on around you, and maybe feeling abandoned in a way. So, you have really normal reasons to feel sad, especially when you're at home where there used to be a whole family but now there isn't.

You have some options, but you'll need to decide what's best for you. Getting some counselling about the divorce and your mom's illness would probably be a smart thing. If your dad's still in the picture, you might want to talk to him about seeing someone to help you learn to cope with all the changes in a healthy way. Or, you could make an appointment with your doctor, talk to him/her about getting some counselling, and ask that your dad be notified instead of your mom. Or, you could talk to a counselor at school and ask that they notify your dad. Counseling does not mean you are mentally ill!!! It simply means that you are smart enough to recognize when a little to much has happened for you to figure out on your own.

Your mom really does need to know what's going on with you, and as soon as she if feeling better, talk to her about it. That's really important for both of you.

You have resources available to you, and really, you don't need to figure all of it out by yourself. I'd bet that you don't need medication, just someone to talk to in way that also helps you understand yourself better.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I do not think you are bipolar. Depression is real. Since you said that you have contemplated suicide, I would say that you are suffering from depression. It is understandable that you have felt depressed since your parents just got divorced and your mom is sick. That's a lot to deal with! I'm glad you said you feel happy at school. Try to keep your mind off of your family situation as much as you can. Please get help. You seem like a wonderful kid. Please seek help. You need someone to talk to. Life will get better. Good luck!

Answer 7

Wow! I would be depressed too if I was only 15 and going through all that. Depression is no fun. I've suffered with it for many years, and with the right medications, I am able to live a happy, normal, healthy life. You really need to get medical treatment. Is there a counslor at school you can talk to? Above all, PLEASE don't commit suicide. I thought about it several times, and I'm glad I never did. My life is full and wonderful now. Please get some help.

Answer 8

sometimes you get depressed over situations or trauma which isn't medical but when you are depressed for no reason it really is a chemical thing. i can totally relate to you and right this very moment i'm on the edge and ready to quit. there's not a thing in this world that can save me from feeling this way and it's extremely hard to get through. i'm only 14 and i've got a happy family and no reason to feel this way but yet i do. if you need to talk to anyone you can email or im me! do something to occupy your mind

Answer 9

Your life has fantastic future, and is precious. Never think of suicide. Go to church to learn God's way of living, and you will have peace, joy and hope.

In the Beginning God created heavens and earth.
God gives you air to breathe and sunshine to enjoy.
God gives you water to drink and food to eat.
God gives you a wonderful body and sound mind, to live.
God loves you, and you are precious to Him.
Son of God died on the Cross to save us from condemnation.
Jesus’ love is boundless and everlasting.
We have the hope of Heaven through Jesus.
Life therefore has fantastic and glorious future!
(Digestion of above can even prevent depression and suicide attempt.)

Answer 10

Just smile, God loves you. What you are going through will pass. Suicide is never a solution. Think about what the people you love will go through if you are not there.