A question about depression?

Question

I think I might be depressed. I'm only a teen, and am afraid my amatuer self diagnosis won't be taken seriously, so i need to know your views. Last year, one of my friends (who wants to be a psychiatrist) said she thinks I'm depressed, and wanted me to be a guidance conselor. I barely get any sleep (from anxiety) and am always exhausted the next day. Everybody says I never smile, and i have lke, permanent bags under my eyes. I've heard depression, and bipolar disorder, but as I said, I won't be taken seriously. Help?

I can't sleep at night, but yes, during the day, I'm freakishly exhausted. Its not like I'm doing actual physical work or anything. I just "need to sleep" constantly, and can't sleep at night.

I have said to myself every once in a while "I wish I could kill myself", but i woud never have the _____ to go do it. Also, stop telling me to go see a dr. I wanted to see what other people had to say before i decided whether or not to see him. If i come in with a self-diagnosis for depression, he'll probably think I'm crazy!

And maybe Iam, who knows....

Answer 1

Yes it does sound like depression, I know you don't want to hear about going to a doctor, but, you will not be going in with a diagnosis, you will be going because you feel you are depressed and you want an evaluation, that's all.They need to know why you are going there (psychiatrist), so that they have something to go on, after the evaluation, they will tell you if it is or it isn't...and no they won't think you are crazy. Trust me, been there, done that and bought the tee shirt....have been on medication for depression and anxiety for quite awhile, since you are young, you may not need meds at all....good luck to you, I wish you the best.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorader and Depression are not exactly about being depressed. They have a wide array of symptoms, and actually are quite different from one another, so your main concern should be to research. Teens frequently go through such a period in their lives, sometimes due to horomones since your body is still developing and sometimes the chemicals throw themselves off. The key is to look for red flags and address them. The main concern is sleep patterns to me, though, since a key sign of an oncoming depressive disorder is a lack of sleep and a lack of interest in common activities, such as school or friends. These are worth keeping an eye on. But, bear in mind that some people are simply not that interested in study, or don't need much sleep.
The key is routine.
So, if you want to start looking for red flags, I advise that you observe your sleep, social, and school patterns and ask yourself: "Have they changed lately for no apparent reason?"
Another key is rejection sensitivity. This is, essentially, a social anxiety in which minor social tasks, such as getting change from a cashier, are major stressors and ordeals and they create anxiety. If you suffer from that, it might be worth looking into.
If you feel depression setting on, notify someone immedietly. If you are worried, do the same. You never know what people will do until you ask, and so it is always worth asking.
Good luck, and don't fret if you are diagnosed with a disorder, because the quicker the diagnosis, the more effectivly you will be on the road to proper treatment.
Hope I helped!

Answer 3

You can't tell a book by its cover is a true statement. People who seem happy and normal could have an illness, and a total hermit could be the healthiest person around. A psychiatrist would appreciate this fact. The next point is that few things are black and white in life, meaning there are degrees of depression just like there are degrees of well being and happiness. You should read a lot more about mental illness and it may turn out to be a field you could make a career of.
http://www.webmd.com

Answer 4

Perhaps you are merely not getting enough sleep. How many hours per day do you get? It should be between 7 -- 9, around in there. I would first start by adjusting that. Another thing to consider is your ability to be active. Do you feel like staying out home all of the time? Isolate yourself away from others? How little or no energy to do daily chores and tasks? Feel like blaah all of the time?

If you answered yes, then would suggest setting goals for you to work on, in several areas of your life. Set some goals in the physical---like exercising, set some goals in the intellectual, like reading a book, set some goals in the social---like going out with friends, set a goal in the emotional--like doing a kind deed or project for someone in need.

By working on these areas and by focusing on accomplishing something, you will begin to feel better.

Finally, talk about this to someone you trust, like your parents, a favorite teacher, or the guidance counselor. They will be able to offer help as well.

Answer 5

Why do you think you won't be taken seriously? Have you spoken to your doctor? I should have gone to see a doc in high school for depression, but didn't because my mother had me convinced they were going to throw me in the loony bin. If you think you have an issue, let your doctor know. Don't tell them first off 'I think I have this." Tell them, "I am experiencing the following symptoms: They are causing problems for me during my day-to-day life and I would like to be evaluated to see what the cause may be. I suspect depression." The doctor (if they're a good doc) will listen and work with you. If they're not a good doctor and ignore you, you should find a new one and get a second opinion.

Answer 6

First, DON't listen to your friend who is a wanna-be psychiatrist. If you were my child, I would be very concerned if you weren't smiling and your looked tired. There are many things that could be wrong. You could have a sleeping disorder which could explain everything. You could have the winter blues which is now know to be an illness. Talk to your parents, tell them how you feel and ask to be taken to a doctor. Be sure and tell the doctor everything you are feeling. Let them be the judge of your problem. There are some very mild, short term meds that can be used to solve your problems. And honey, please look yourself in the mirror and smile, you are a fantastic person!

Answer 7

Talk to your school counselor. Don't self diagnose, just list out the symptoms and ask if you should be concerned. If you need to worry you'll know soon enough. Plus, I think there is healthy depression and anxiety brought on by reality and the unhealthy kind that stays and becomes self destructive. A little sadness is just a symptom of being American and alive - when you start to want to hurt yourself or others or when you hear voices then you should be afraid.

Answer 8

That's ok. I'm sure we've all had days like this. And from experience, I would rather be taking a nap (peace of mind), eating fruits, accept life as it is, make the most of it, try to have fun, pray perhaps to get better, do something that will make me feel better, than be gloomy for a long period of time. Because looking back on it now, the only thing I learned is a better way to stay away from depression because let me tell you what good does it do: taught me to look at the bright side of things or forever be gloomy. Uh no thanks, I've discovered enough fun things to do after school, so I'd rather go for it than sit on my butt! I hope you feel better.

Answer 9

If you are depressed as a teen think about being depressed when at 15 your father dies,then you lose your home he worked for his whole life,then get blamed for arson and have to take a 7 hour polygraph,knowing it was the person that burnt down their own house that did it,and the police do nothing to them after 4 years,then your brother almost dies in traumatic car crash, suffering from a pulmonary clapse,skull fracture,broken femur, and many more injuries. And the whole thing is covered up by the chief of police,because it was the township supervisors son that caused the accident,and the son and father both own a business in which they had illegal immigrants working there for decades. And it was a company truck. Then a judge says the whole thing is scandelous and the cop didnt do any of his job,but no charges were ever filed against the criminal that caused the crash, because his dad is township supervisor,then the cop dies 9 days before his deposition and the criminal changes his story, committing perjury and obstruction of justice.Then you have to deal with the scandelous insurance company that doesnt care who was at fault,they just want reasons not to give my family some sort of justice . Although the *** will never truly pay for his negligence. And in between this all, your girlfriend for two years nearly dies and is completely disfigured after rolling her car on a major highway. Then you have to feed her through a tube for 6 weeks because her jaw is wired shut, and I was the only one able to take care of her.Then after that all she starts acting completely differant and you have no choice but to end the relationship[ because you dont want her to have to deal with all your problems also..What would you do? Do you think your life is really that bad?

Answer 10

First of all you need to RELAX!! Being diagnosed with depression is NOT the end of the world. It is very normal to be depressed at certain times in our lives esp. when you are a teen. Sounds like myself when I was younger. You need to talk to your guidance councilor at school first and then move on from there to maybe your parents depending on the kind of relationship you have with them. Good luck and remember RELAX and take it one day at a time. Like the old saying, this soon shall pass.