I'm 15 and i've been depressed for the past 6 years, and i just don't know what to do?

Question

well, i only have a few friends, but we really don't talk much or do nething outside of school, so i guess they really aren't friends, but i talk to them. and then my parents, they don't ifght or nething, and they still live together, but their SO BORING!! they never talk, never do anything. they only talk to me about school, and my brother has problems of his own that i really don't care about, i talk more to my BIRD!! yes, my bird, than my family. I have NO emotional support, if i told my parents about my depression i think they'd just laugh and say i'm overreacting, but really, they barly know me! I know i need help with my depression, but i just don't know how to get it. Any advice???

Answer 1

Go to your family doctor or see a psychiatrist. If you are suffering with depression, you need some help. It will only get worse with time. People who suffer from depression and do not seek help often end up committing suicide. Your life is worth more than that. Seek help immediately. You need to talk with your parents about this problem also. If they don't seem to listen, make them listen. Depression is a serious illness that needs treatment.

Please get help. I wish you the best.

Answer 2

Wow, there are some good answers here. I would echo those that talk about speaking to a real counselor.

Keep in mind that angst is common to all teens, though admittedly you had it from before you were a teen, so perhaps it's not merely teen angst. I will say that you sound fairly normal from what you've written here, although that doesn't mean that you can't be depressed. Thoughts of suicide might be an indicator of depression; though again, that's not uncommon among teenagers. For me the big indicator is persistent irrational negative thinking. By "irrational", I mean not based in reality; if your best friend dies and you are sad, that's not depression. If the sun in shining, you're making good grades, your parents love you, and there's no adversity in your life but you feel like killing yourself, that's depression. Similarly, if your girlfriend breaks up with you, and you are totally distraught, that's not depression. If you make a B and you are inconsolable, maybe you're depressed.

Try going to http://www.depression.com to learn more about depression and fill out a questionnaire that may help clarify things.

Here's what I'd do. Your parents sound like decent people. I think if you asked to see a doctor they would not turn you down. He can make the best determination. Even if your parents don't agree to let you go, you've probably not lost anything in the attempt. If you do the online questionnaire and it raises concerns, that's evidence you can take to your parents.

In general I'd encourage you to make an effort to talk to your parents (as in, keep the lines of communication open and share with them your inner life), if they are good people, and it sounds like they are.

As for handling depression apart from a doctor's care, the best remedy is talking to people about how you feel and your struggles, whether it is friends, parents, teachers, coaches, or counselors. When I was growing up depressed and couldn't connect with my dad, I had several teachers I confided in. They were invaluable.

If none of these pan on for you, there are undoubtedly support groups on the Internet. You can make friends on the Internet too, although if at all possible make friends in your school and community you can see and speak to face to face.

Answer 3

I sugest talking to a couselor at your school. Do something because I can tell you that I started getting depressed when I was 12 and spent many nights crying and feeling alone and I also had few real friends. Although I have been through many things in my life,many good things, many bad, the depression has never gone away and affects my life on a day to day basis. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep at night and have found my self crying on the bus on the way to the store or work just for no reason, I just felt sad. I am 41 years old and can tell you that depression can last a lifetime if you dont treat in when you are still young

Answer 4

Tough call. I thought that they came out with a depression hot-line some years ago. Where a teenager could call to speak with a counselor. ALSO, the Ad Council has several no-cost, non-profit orgs that may be of some use.

Bottom line is every teen gets depressed. Unfortunately some worse than others. At least you are smart enough to ask for help which is a great thing to do. Many are to afraid to. I hope that things do get better for you. They did for me so there is hope.

Answer 5

Please go and see your school counsellor seeing your parents are not listening to you about this.. Maybe the school counsellor too could make your parents see that this is a serious issue for you.

I also suggest you check out a site for some more emotional support with dealing with this too. I suggest www.careplace.com and then join the depression room. Its a fairly new site for those with chronic illnesses and the people there are very lovely and will be very supportive. You are clearly needing more emotional support. You can make some friends there too.

Answer 6

Well, I am your age and I think it is great that you asked yahoo. But, what you need to do now is talk to a REAL person. Maybe a school therapist or a guidance councellor. I know it is really hard to tell someone you dont know about your feelings, it is really important to do. These people are paid to help people like you, and nobody needs to know about it.

By the way, your parents make me mad. Maybe try telling them about your problems? Im sure that even if they appear to not love you, they probably do.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

i started getting depressed when i was 11 so i know where you are coming from. there maybe a cause..ie you need to make changes in your life or you may just be depressed for no reason at all(which is always fun eh?) i think you should try counselling thats what helped me out of my depresssion. you could try those free anonymous phone lines and see if that helps and if you strike someone nice on there you could always see about face to face counselling. just make sure the people are trustworthy. use like a reputable counsellor. try and exercise and get lots of sleep... that may help a bit. i think if you werent depressed you would feel like getting out more and doing fun things and meeting more people. Just take it easy on yourself too.. these are probably the hardest years of your life but they will pass. you'll be ok just hang in there.

Answer 8

So you actually have never tried telling them? Why don't you? You never know how they will truly react if you never ask. You just can't assume things, I mean parents can suck but they love us. I think that you should tell them, and if they confrim your thoughts, get help yourself. Go to a mental health clinic, and talk to a trained professional that won't laugh in your face. Depression is serious.

Good luck.

Answer 9

First, see a doctor, who will diagnose whether you are suffering from clinical depression, which may require medication for a time. If not, get counselling, possibly through school; pick a good tome to tell your parents: they should know. Go to: www.depression.com/- and view the links, suggestions and techniques to be found in the blogs of Shan Eris at: www.myspace.com (http://www.myspace.com/7087317)

Answer 10

I been there. Only I didn't try to get help, and from experience, I'm going to ask you to try your very hardest to get some for yourself. I would suggest perhaps talking to your school nurse or guidance counselor. They may be able to help you talk to you parents about it, even if they can't do anything for you themselves. Take care.