Extent of depression?

Question

Im interested to know,

Who here has gone through a period of heavy depression in their teenage lives?
Who here has attempted to commit suicide?
Who suffers from clinical depression or manic depression?

Answer 1

I'm 38 and have had bipolar II disorder for probably 25 years. I have far more depressive episodes than hypomanic ones. The teenage years can be a very vulnerable and stressful time and having significant depression makes it even worse. When I was younger I made two half-assed attempts at suicide. But as I've gotten older I've been able to deal with it much better. You know the episodes will pass and you recognize the symptoms and learn to go in and get treatment right away.

Answer 2

Firstly, I had one non-clinical level of depression for a couple of weeks after high school graduation in my teens when college started...nothing dramatic but I basically thought since I didn't regain the fair amount popularity I had in high-school within the first month of school it was a symbol of my inability to succeed in life and that high school was my last hurrah and it was all going to be work and boredom from then on.

I also went through a period of clinical depression when I was about 22, not too far past teenage years.
This was just post college, I was promoted to a high-level internship and what I had worked for all those years turned out to be working with people I did not believe in who did not respect me as a person...IE it felt people expected me to only do work and never have the privilage to show emotion without being scolded.

It came to the point I slept almost 18 hours a day and, despite being a Magna *** Laude student, could not even concentrate enough to do simple algebra or speak non-broken English...to top it off people constantly called me lazy and dumb (due to conditions in part beyond my control, I essentially was).

I never thought of committed of thought of committing suicide though, even though in many ways I felt useless and unrespected by everyone, including my parents. I suffered from clinical depression for the 3 months I was there.

The enthusiasm left in my life was the idea of making a moral stand by not taking crap or doing people favors even though I was "weak" and thus make a statement that could help other people by turning "bullies" away from bullying.

In short though, I pulled out, using things like
1) exercise to replace serotonin and endorphin levels lost through depression (to make me happier and more energetic) and
2) a combination of hobbies and meeting people in those hobbies to keep me from feeling useless and keep the energy I did gain away from worrying (which would make me more depressed and make me "use my energy to make myself lose energy)).

The trick is to remember you are an individual and, simply by existing and doing so much as telling people yes or no and giving the least bit of advice, you are changing the world and being useful.

Answer 3

I Natalie Gibson have and still do suffer from depression I'm in foster care and often ask myself why was I even born I have tried to run away and commit suicide yet I'm still living so somebody wants me to be alive for years to come this is the same with you even though you may not think it it's true and if you eva need a freind to talk to I'm here :)

Answer 4

The extent of depression?
It's not possible to explain it to someone so they understand.
One day your fine and next thing you know, you haven't been to work in two days, and only leave the bed to use the toilet.
First big plunge I had nearly took my life, last big plunge l lost 12 lb and I'm 6'0" tall and was 155 lb.
Everyone's experience is different.
I just hope you never get the curse.

fn. Hang in there Nat.

Answer 5

Yeah I did. I plan to commit sucide. I was so depress since I was in high school. Almost last year, I felt same way again. I hate to be alone and I felt that no one want or care about me.

Answer 6

i was depressed last year... Never attempeted suicide, prolly never will. I get depressed alot every now and then, it runs in the family.