Help with depression?

Question

For years now I've had low self-esteem, dreaded doing things, and always looked at other's lives and compared them. I constantly want to change something in my life because nothing I have seems to make me happy, and it just seems to get worse and worse. I'm 13, so I dont know if it's because I'm that age or depression. I took and quiz and my results are: http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/depression.cgi . I don't want to tell anyone because thier reaction would be I'm overreacting. What can I do to be happy with who I am and my life?

Answer 1

You are just suffering an exaggerated form of what we all suffer from. As Shakespeare said, 'Nothing is so bad but thinking makes it so'. I will take a stab in the dark and say you may not think yourself as pretty as you want to be. As the old saying goes, beauty is what's inside. I may have this totally wrong and you are absolutely stunning and are fed up with people telling you this. If the latter, please indicate.
Please ignore the above, I think Sara B has it sewn up. After reading her entry, I know I would have been depressed comparing myself to her if she was in my class. Luckily stupidity and vanity keep my depression at bay.

Answer 2

Hi,
I have also suffered with depression and have experienced exactly the same feelings as you.
It is very important that you speak to someone about this and I strongly recommend seeing a doctor too.
Seeing a doctor was a real turning point for me as he explained that there is nothing wrong with me and I am not crazy in the head.
He explained that depression is a physical disease and does not mean you are crazy.
Your brain is not producing the correct chemicals in the correct amounts and this screws up the way you think.
Your doctor may subscribe medication for you or if you are lucky like me you may be able to control it using natural supplements.
I take a product call St. Johns Wort which is a natural product available in most chemists and even some supermarkets in the vitamin section. I actually buy mine from Woolworths.
Seeing a doctor and having this product recommended to me by my doctor has literally saved my life.
Please understand that what you are feeling is only a result of a chemical imbalance in your brain. Once you get the right medicine to fix this you will feel a lot better.
It's like any other disease. Get the right treatment and you will get better.
Please talk to your parents and ask to see a doctor.
It really is worth seeking help.

Answer 3

im 19 and for the first time in my life, for the past year I have been suffering from depression. I dont care if u have all the money in the world, a great car, big house, etc. Everyone has THEIR own circumstances and react to things alot differently. I dont know if ur already doing this or not, but try writing in a journal when ur emotions are at their highest peak-happy or sad. Try to express what u are feeling and how u got to that emotion (like watchin a funny movie makes u laugh, or how having a fight with someone u care about upsets u). If writing it out isnt ur thing, try saying how ur feeling out loud and record it on a tape-recorder. Just to get it out. When everythings being said in ur head, its really easy to get lost in ur thoughts and Ive learned that ur thoughts effect anything and everything u do, day and night.
If u do end up saying something to someone about how u feel, like your parents, another option you could bring up is psychological therapy. I find it very, very helpful. If ur scared of someone thinking ur overreacting, (and Im not sure if ur in school or what) then try going to ur school's guidance counseler and talking as a "free" kind of therapy.

One other thing-
About the dread of going and doing things:
Its really hard and only do it when ur ready but if u are serious about getting better, u are going to HAVE to get out and do things. ESPECIALLY when u arent feeling like it. It WILL make u feel better even if only for a minute. Everytime gets better, I promise. Please hang in there..u are going to be able to get through this. Its only a matter of time. Hope something Ive said can help u. Take care.
=)

Answer 4

Okay, I'm 14 years old and in 8th grade. I've always had a low self-esteem too, and the past year has been really mad. I tend to dread social events, and often even skip them. A few months ago I began to realize that I was very unhappy. I hated the world. I hated my life. I couldn't stand anything. I began going up to my room and just sitting there to get away from my parents.

I go to a 2A school in small town, Iowa, so I guess I don't really know if you could do this, but w/e. When I realized how unhappy I was, the only person I told was a teacher at school. I know all of my teachers very well, but she was different. I could tell that she cared. I just went to her one day and told her that I hated my life and I didn't know what to do. She just told me that she couldn't really tell me what was wrong, but we worked to figure it out. She had me make a list of ten things that made me happy (you should try it). I don't really know what that did for me, but it was good for me to do anyways. We kept talking and she decided that she thought it was my parents. My parents are very controlling and she thought that as I was struggling to be more independent, they were trying to hold me back. I just stayed focused on the things that made me happy, and now I'm somewhat better. I'm having a bunch of problems with my parents, but she's there to listen. She advises me on everything I need help with.

If there's any advice I can give you, I'd say try to find someone to talk to. Someone that will listen. Someone that cares. For me it just happened to be a teacher. She's the best and she's always been there for me. Everybody needs someone like her in their life. She is my Guardian Angel.

Try making a list of ten happy things!

If it ever gets to the point of suicide or anything like that, please seek help. Be stronger than that. I know you can. I was, and if I could, you can. You just have to know that someone cares. If you want to talk, email me @ [e-mail]

Answer 5

i dont want to make your feelings seem like less than they are, but i think MANY teenagers deal with depression at some time. i did the same things at your age, felt like my life wasnt good enough, always compared myself to others. i had a pessimistic view on everything, for no reason. it went away over time. so you are definitely not an unusual teen. but maybe there is a counselor u can go to? you dont have to find a real therapist (although maybe thats what u want, and your parents can help u find one) but u can maybe o to a community center, or bos and girls club or the Y, and they might have counselors or mentors there that u can go to. just find someone to talk to. or write in a journal, that helped me alot.

but just remember, every human being on this earth is unique and has their own place in tis world. dont just hide and miss out on your life. live it. it takes a lot to learn to stop caring about what other people think, but its really the best thing u can do. focus on what is special about u, and what is good about yourself. write down 5 things u like about yourself and tape them to your mirror or refrigerator. remember, for the most part you are ur own best friend, and if u dont love yourself who else will? (well obviously your family but u know what i mean!! ;)

Answer 6

Every morning, when you are getting changed, look in the mirror and point out one thing that you love about your body. Then pick a trait you have that is admirable. Don't say you don't have any, because that's not true. You live a great life, know it or not. There are people in Africa who would LOVE to live your life, even if it were just for a day.

Answer 7

You must talk about it. You can't heal depression or beat it on your own. Since your 13 and parents you don't think your parents will understand, then I suggest talking to your school counselor.

When dealing with depression its always easier to tell someone not directly involved what's going on in your life.

Get some help hun, you need it and you DESERVE it!!

Answer 8

if you aren't comfortable talking to your parents, talk to someone else. you shouldnt feel this way at your age. Maybe you have some depression problems and need to be on medication.

Answer 9

hi,for good mental health u should try the following
1-regular exercise
2-adequate nutrition
3-+ve relation with ur family ,friends,colleagues.
4-reading &playing
5-allocate time for leisure&recreation

Answer 10

If you are indeed depressed and you don't tell anyone or get help, it will only become worse. Please talk to someone. Better safe than sorry, right?