I think I have depression?

Question

Im always sad, cutting myself, crying all for no reason or for pathetic small things. Im 13 and cant tell anyone. My friends would think im trying to get attention and my parents would laugh and not believe me. Please help me. Im afraid I might do something terrible, Ive been so close to it before and I really dont want it to happen

Answer 1

I have experienced the same thing you are going through. I'm 26 now and still battle depression. You have to talk to someone. Have a little more faith in the people that love you. If you don't think your parents will believe you, show them your scars. Or talk to someone else. An aunt/uncle, grandparent, cousin. Someone. Your school counselor or nurse. A trusted teacher. Please seek help. You don't have to battle this alone. Feel free to email me (link is in my profile) if you need to talk. Best wishes.

The cutting is called self-mutilation. And is actually fairly common. Especially among teenage girls and young woman.

Here is some more information:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/self-mutilation.jsp
http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/selfmutilation.html

Answer 2

well, for one, stop cutting your self, and stop crying. always being sad has a lot to do with your outlook on life. If your getting upset over small things, then it could just be that your in a slump right now. You need to stop and think for a while. Why are you getting so worked up over small things? You can also go on websights for depression and take tests that can tell you where you stand. But what ever the results are dont completly belive them. there not 100% accurate. Also, if its really bad, try seeing a shrink. Tell your parents you want to see one for a different reason so they will let you go.

Answer 3

im 13 too and i know how hard it is. i've cut myself six times and i have S.A.D. look it up on the internet if you want. my mom was put in a mental hospital when i was young. i never knew why, but she's okay now. there are alot of mental and physical problems in my family. my friends are trying to get attention through pretending and telling everyone they cut themselves. my parents would make me talk to someone or else call me a loser. i do not want either. i know how it is. so if you want you can im me at motlicrurox7. or you can e-mail me at [e-mail]. i prefer you not message me on here since you cannot keep up with the conversation. im here

Answer 4

hiya im laura i used 2 get like that im always sad but you need to do things that will make you happy maybe go to an under 18's night club or sumfink i know your not doing it to get attention becasue i used to do it not to kill my self but in a way it helped the pain releve it kinda gives you a buzz but do you really want people to see your horrible scars?no thats the answer! and if you stop now you might not scar.belive me i know how hard it is to stop and i didnt have no help.but then i started writing dwon all my problems in my diary and that helps a lot but NEVER read back on what you have write beacase it will make you sad and listen to happy music that always helps! and if you want to talk to me any more my email is [e-mail] beacuse it is so hard trying to help people quickly like this take care of your self popet x

Answer 5

I have gone through the same thing myself. If you really feel like you're going to hurt yourself, you need to tell someone. Whether it be your school counselor, a friend, a parent, a relative.. anyone. But you need to talk to someone. I am 16 and went through it just a few years ago. If you ever need to talk to someone, IM me at headoverhillnx3 on AIM!

Answer 6

I don't really know if a thirteen year old can have depression....you might be very stressed out. Talk with your parents, talk with an adult you trust, or a teacher. Talking with your friends can just help you burn some heat, but your friends are just as clueless.

Answer 7

I was in your shoes around that age. My parent didn't believe in depression as being a medical condition, until it drove them into going into detoxification for a whole month for alcoholism, they are now on anti-depressants in their 50s. They never had anyone to talk to either, and were too proud to go to the doctor for help (or admit they had a problem). Their attitude about my condition/problem actually made my situation worse, as far as finding the root is concerned.

Their depression was passed on to me, but they laughed at me when I told them in my teens - deferring back to their own life's pain.

I got counseling in my early adult hood (when I could finally afford it), and took an anti-depressant for about six months during that time. But now I understand the source of it, and was able to hash out my issues (between myself and the counseling); hence, no more depression and no more pills.

You definitely need to talk to someone, and it's hard when your parent's are ignorant about depression. There is a stigma that comes along with depression. Being depressed puts one at a vulnerable state; some people disconnect themselves from depressed people and others will take advantage of them.

Sometimes school personnel are the worst people to go to as some of them are ignorant and you may experience the school putting a stigma on you, and not keeping your issue confidential. A lot of times, they treat the student as if they are 'seeking attention'. Be careful with school personnel, especially if neither your parents or other family members (people that know, love and understand you) do not have your back.

If you have the wrong type of friends/peers they may exploit your condition as well.

If there is anyone in your family that you can trust, try telling them first. The best support comes from people who know, love, trust and understand you.

Also consider seeking a private practitioner that deals specifically with teen depression. See if they will do a free consultation with you, ask them what some good resources would be for you to get help. You may also try the Girls and Boys Town Hotline - 1800 448 3000. Talk with them, but first measure how confidential their service (I've never called them). See what they can recommend.

When it's clear, explain your disposition with your parents then try to get to the root of what your issue is. Be patient with yourself. Try counseling long termly. Even if they prescribe pills, stick with the counseling. Many anti-depressants have side effects, some known and others unknown by doctors (they won't tell you that, however).

Keep a journal of all your thoughts and daily happenings, make sure you keep this with you all the time and/or locked away in a secure location. Don't isolate yourself. If you aren't finding happiness in being with your peers, find something else to. No drugs, please. See if your parents would be supportive if you were to take on something like dance, a sport, or any other special interest.

Make sure you are eating well as malnutrition can make depression worse, or contribute to it. Most teens don't have a proper diet. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, get lots of fiber, vitamins A,B,C. Or visit www.fda.gov. You may also consider using www.cdc.gov. Stay away from junk food and fast foods. Proper nutrition has a huge effect on the brain, poor nutrition alone can make one grouchy.

I don't know where you can buy them anymore, but I had a journal with a lock and key (a lock that really worked). Write in it every chance you get, and keep it private. Review your thoughts continuously over time. This way you can remain connected with YOU, who you are now and where you want to go.

I wrote a lot about things in my past, my childhood, and expressed emotions in my writing that I was not permitted or given a chance to at the time. Without proper guidance or parenting a lot of child's emotion/their essence goes ignored, and that's harmful in the long run. So be free in your journal, reflect on your past, present and future. Make sure you work to envision a bright future, it should only be bright.

Writing in your journal is essential especially when you lack people to talk to.

How I dealt with it...it got worse in my late teens as I stopped eating right and I slept all the time. My grades dropped severely by senior year, causing me to loose a scholarship opportunity, I was otherwise a straight A student. During this whole time I was getting into constant fights with my parents and family. But instead of them considering that I may have a medical condition, they deemed me a ***** and pretty much dealt with me as they would have a stranger.

If you don't get help now, it could effect your social development.

Stop cutting yourself, too. You make get an infection or damage a nerve.

There were a few of us among my school peers that were going through this. On of them used to cut themselves. But they're fine now.

Just know that things will get better, hang it there.

Also, be weary of people claiming to be 13 on here, wishing to befriend you.

Be safe.

Answer 8

Why don't you talk to your school counselor. Maybe the counselor will want to talk with you & your parents together. Maybe then your parents will believe you.

Answer 9

hey! i answered your other question about you being pretty(you are georgous!) anyway.... im 13 too(you can look at my profile) and i was wondering if you wanted to be friends over emial? i can help you with your depression thing, so email me @ [e-mail] or [e-mail]