Depression?

Question

I have been feeling pretty useless. At school, I try to act as happy and content as I can, but there's no way of denying it. I love debating and swimming, but sometimes, I just don't feel for it. I am inspired to become a lawyer or politician, but I lose interest sometimes. I have a hard time concentrating, I'm usually REALLY good at fast thinking. I sometimes think that suicide is the only way out. Sometimes, I feel as if no one cares. A lot of the time, I feel as my peers think I'm dumb and useless. My muscles ache and I'm only thirteen. I don't feel like sleeping, and I binge a lot. I cry for no reason. I make poor judgements and sometimes make a fool of myself. I feel really guilty for hurting someone's feelings that I cry. I feel terrible a lot. The big thing is I still care about my future, but a lot of the time, it seems as if my mind is just pulling away. Is this depression? I'm pretty sure it is... If it is, do I need medications, or is there a much better and more effective

--ways to deal with it? Suggestions and reliable comments will be forever and deeply appreciated. Thank you.

I mean I'm fourteen...

suicidal thought only comes by me at a very rough stage. I usually don't have these thoughts. I only have them once in a while where I wish I could disappear from the face of the earth (especially when I cause someone disappointment... or myself)

My parents care for me deeply. They are strict, but they are both very wonderful... My environment isn't really the problem, I am. I believe it is a tremendous amount of stress, and fear of losing someone.

Answer 1

YC my dear; I'm sorry you are feeling this way. I think it's great that you're reaching out for help.

From my experience and your description of your problems, it appears that you are Bipolar (manic depressive). This is a very complex and serious disorder, that comes with a high risk of suicide (30% of those afflicted with bipolar disorder comtemplate suicide, compared to 12% of those who suffer from major depression).

I would strongly recommend that you see a Psychiatrist who specializes with mood disorders. Once your diagnosis is confirmed, you'll need to participate in both a medication management plan and behavioral psychotherapy. The medication will help stablize your moods and the psychotherapy will help you learn how to manage your feelings/emotions.

While in the extended manic phase, a person who is bipolar will be extremely optimistic, experience a flight of ideas, become verbose, feel authorotive, take unecesarry risks without contemplating the consequences.

The polar opposite effects occur through bipolar depression, which is worse than unipolar (major) depression alone. Oftentimes, those who are bipolar will feel endless guilt of prior actions and thoughts of suicide are highly prevelent. When depressed, the person becomes disabled or uncapable of performing simple tasks, loses motivation, becomes angry, irritable and irrational.

As far as your muscle aches are concerned, you may be experiencing fibromyalgia. This is body wide pain, with tenderness in the joints, usually caused by excess stress and anxiety.

There are a host of medications called anticonvulsants, which are clinically proven to manage mania and bipolar depression. For the Fribromialgia, you'll want to take a specific type of anticonvulsant called Neurontin (gabapentin).

I've been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and I've taken my own advice. It's a lot of hard work and it doesn't happen overnight, but it is manageable and you will get better if you step it up.

First step is to speak to a Dr. about this and be as specific as you can be. Write down how you feel every day and talk to them about it. They will help you, I promise!

Good luck

Answer 2

In my layperson's opinion, you are showing many classic signs of clinical depression. But please don't despair. Help IS available for you, and I hope you seek it right away. As someone who has experienced depression periodically for many decades, I can tell you that you could possibly be helped tremendously by either medication OR talking with a therapist. Studies have shown that a combination of the two may be the most effective approach, but both are valuable tools.

Here are some links to mental health information that may be helpful for you:

http://depression.about.com/
http://www.dbsalliance.org/
http://www.nmha.org/
http://www.nami.org/

All of the above websites have a wealth of information, including links to online depression screening tests you can take. Good luck!

Please ignore the inappropriate (imo) comment someone posted about suicide being a "moral sin." I'm not sure what that even means (perhaps that individual meant to say "mortal sin), but in any case, I think that was a very unkind and judgmental thing for someone to say to a person who is obviously suffering, in addition to be based on religious beliefs that not everyone shares. There are many reasons not to give in to suicidal impulses, but the last thing you need is for someone to be laying guilt on you for feelings you didn't ask for that are NOT YOUR FAULT.

The important thing is that you don't NEED to give in to those feeligs, because there is a WORLD OF HELP AND HOPE out there waiting for you. I hope you seek and receive the help you need. Good luck and God bless you.

Answer 3

It's good that you have a stable family environment because I think your going to need it. It's not normal for someone to think that suicide is the only way out. Yes I do think you have some sort of depression.About meds it depends on how bad your depression is even if you have it. You need to speak to a therapist who specializes in this stuff. Hang in there. God Bless.

Answer 4

It could be a number of different things but the most important thing for you to do is to see a doctor. Only a doc can really tell you if you need to be on meds or need to go to therapy. Until you can get in to a doctor please try to stay active mentally and physically so maybe you can rest better. Good luck.

Answer 5

Young lady, "suicide". is not the answer to your probems. As it is a moral sin and you will only have to come back to this earth to evolve all over again.

My professional opion is that you should discuss how you feel with your parents and make an appointment to see a Psychologist. (I am a Clinical Psychiatrist). The reason why you will want to see a psychologist first and not a psychiatrist, is that if you say you feel "depressed", that is all he/she wants to hear and they will pull out the Rx. and put you are medications that are habit forming. Plus the root cause of your depression is still locked up inside of you. The medications will only mask the root cause.

If you were my patient, and you use said, "I feel like suicide", I would be required by law, to commit you to a mental hospital for 72 hours the easy way or the hard way. It is against the law for you to tell me this and allow you to leave my office. After the 72 hours evaluation, I can either have you relased or go to court with your own court appointed mental health advocate and argue before a judge that I require more time for the psychiatric evaluation.

If you meet five of any of the following you due suffer from depression. (Still see the psychologist first with your parents). The psychologist, does not have the authority to write and Rx. so you will be safe and they can help you to get at the root cause of your problem and give you alternative situations to resolve the problem without the use of medications.

1. depressed mood, (or can be irritable mood in children and adolesaceents). most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated either by subjective account or observations by others.

2. markedly dimished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activitites, most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated either by subjective account or observations by others or apathy most of the time).

3. significant weight loss or weight gain when not dieting (more then 5% of body wieght in a mounth), or decreased or increase in appetite nearly every day. ((In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains).

4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

5. psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings or restlesness or being slowed down).

6. fagiue or loss of energy nearly every day.

7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate qulit (which may be delusional), nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).

8. diminished ability to think or concenrate, or indecivin\veness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).

9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurring suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Please I beg you to get talk with your parents and have them take you to see a psychologist.

God bless you and watch over you.

Clinical Psychiatrist, France

Excuse my english

Answer 6

Sure sounds like depression to me. You are at a tough age though,too! See if your parents would be willing to hook you up with a professional who is able to determine what's going on with you. You are at quite a vulnerable place in your young life and it sounds like you have a promising future so get to talking with someone who can help now. Lots of luck sweetie.

Answer 7

it does sound like symptoms of depression, but it could also be becuz of yr age (teenager lol) n lotta wierd things that ppl experience in that age ...if u feel concerned, n think about suicide a lot, it's best to consoult a pshycologist..:) good luck hun

Answer 8

What is going on at home? Mom and Dad both there? Both care?
Call love line if you can answer yes and still need help.

Answer 9

Plenty of good advice here.

Answer 10

are u getting enough attention thats what was wrong with me