How can i tell if i am depressed? What are the symptons?

Question

in a different question i said i felt it was to hard to be happy and i was lonely, and i felt like giving up. i honestly described my situation and most people told me i was depressed. i would believe them except i'm only 13. is it possible to really be depressed at my age? read my other question. everything i said was true and not over exaggerated. i'm not doing this for attention either. What do you think?

anything other than seeing a docter?

Answer 1

Hello
Sorry never saw your last question, but here's a small cynopsis of the signs of depression, for further detail check out the link provided. If you possess some of these traits there is a good chance that you are depressed but only a medical doctor can diagnose you if that's the case.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
The symptoms of depression create a buffer between others and us, thereby diminishing both the quantity and quality of social interaction. Depression isolates us, disables us, and can contribute to deteriorating physical as well as emotional health.

The severity of symptoms varies by individual and over time. Some people exhibit a few of the following symptoms; some have many:

Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, fatigue
Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Restlessness, irritability

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts

Hope this helps

Answer 2

You're still going through the age of puberty. Hormones can run crazy - - - driving you to highs . . . . and low points. Hopefully, everything will balance out on its own, just hang in there. But if by age 15 if you are still having a lot of problems, ask your mom about seeing a doctor. Don't get on anti-depressants unless you absolutely have to though.

Try your best to find a hobby or something you might enjoy that will distract you from your situation. Even if you don't have a friend, YOU can be your own best friend by being good to yourself. Go for a walk or exercise using a video tape/DVD. Keep a journal. Draw or write poetry. At your age, every year is different. If you don't have close friends this year, then maybe you will next year or when you get into high school when you can be more active and join clubs.

Answer 3

I didnt read your last question, but here is some personal experience. I hope it helps or, if not, you find an answer elsewhere.
Yes, its possible to be depressed at 13. I dealt with it when I was that age. I was tired all the time, had frequent headaches, and due to some problems in school and in my social life, I felt like giving up too. I found that therapy worked very very well. Sitting down with a doctor and just talking is such a relief. Plus, doctors can prescribe medicines to help you. Tell a parent or a loved one how your feeling and that you want to see a doctor.

Answer 4

My mom was dianosed with cancer when my sister was 13 and she went into a deep depression. She really withdrew from everyone and everything that used to be fun. She never turned for help, and my family was going through so much that it went un-noticed for awhile.

She was in her room a lot, she was very irritable, didn't let anyone get close to her, had crazy mood swings, and it wasn't apparent everyday.

Evenutally her grades started dropping, she lost a lot of weight (she was already skinny to start with) and she became attracted to people who were not in a good situation because she felt she related to him.

Evenutally I told my dad that she need counceling and when she did go she admitted to me and the councelor that she was doing meth - YOU would NEVER be able to tell that she was doing this and never in her life would she have thought it would have come to that bad... it turned around after she got help.

The doctor diagnosed her with short-term depression. He said all ages can suffer from depression, so she went on an anti-depressant for a few months and she was back to her old self. She now has a baby and is engaged and is doing 100 times better - she is now 21 and doing great.

I think that you should consider making an appointment with a psychologist and they will see what they can do. Don't be ashamed of it, it will only help you in the long run... a lot of adults are depressed and don't get help of it and they are miserable through most of their life.

Hope this helps and take care of yourself, high school is tough and you should be happy through it!

Answer 5

Yes, it is very possible to be depressed at your age. The symptoms you describe do sound like depression.

Short of going to a doctor, you might try St. John's Wort, which is available in health food stores. It is said to only be good for minor depression, but if you treat minor depression effectively, it seldom becomes major. I call it my "good faith effort to have a good attitude."

One caution, though; the effect seems to be reduced if you take it regularly as a prophylactic. I have been taking it regularly for over a year now, and I suspect it is time to review this strategy with a doctor. As soon as I get signed up for medical insurance . . . so it goes.

There is also the fact that if you are depressed over finances specifically, telling you to go to a doctor is not always a good idea, unless you have good insurance. Paying for the doctor and the medication he prescribes may depress you all over again! (Although at your age, it is fair to take your parents' word for it if they say, "Don't worry about that.")

Good luck! As long as you keep reaching out to others for help, you won't sink too far down. Do reach out. Only you can know to whom you should reach out. Friend or relative? Doctor? Yahoo Answers community?

Answer 6

You can be depressed at 13. Teenagers have a lot of pressure. From peers, parents, teachers, etc. So I can understand being depressed. Some symptoms include: sleeping more, loss of appetite, wanting to be alone even though you feel lonely, not wanting to leave the house or participate in any activities, being moody and/or irritable.....If you experience any of these, then you could very well be depressed.

Answer 7

You should tell your parents and see a doctor. For more information on depression go to http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/depression.htm

Most doctors won't recommend SSRI, SNRI, etc. for people under the age of 18 because of the increased risk of suicide. So if you really have a problem you can expect to start seeing a therapist.

Depression is not a joke and I hope you get the help you need. Good luck!

Answer 8

well its a possibility you can be depressed at 13 depending on your life style, your living arrangements and your peers, just keep in mind that if you have no one else you do have god get on your knees and pray and ask him to walk you thru this and he will..depression is not a good thing..next you will be on antidepression meds(not cool)..just pray and remember your number one and dont let no one or anybody tell you different..You need to talk to someone about this..Good luck

Answer 9

The following site helped me years ago. I still participate because it is so helpful:

http://www.depressionet.com.au/

They invite you to tell your story, and there are many resources. The discussion board is great, and they do not tolerate abuse of any kind.

No gimmicks and no charge.

You're safe there.

Answer 10

REALLY IT HAS NO AGE LIMIT, THE SYMPTOMS COME AND GO AND SOMETIME STAY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SLEEP A LOT, DONT FEEL LIKE GOING ANY WHERE, LIKE A BLACK CLOUD IS OVER YOUR HEAD. MY SUGGESTION IS TO TALK WITH A PROFESSIONAL .