What can I do about my depression?

Question

I am a teenager who pretty much has a good life. i have great friends, great family, even though they are split up. But i find myself sleeping my life away and being miserable 24/7. I try not to be, i try to be enthusiastic towards certain things but i cant help it. My grades are slipping rapidly becuase all i want to do is lay down and cry. I cheat on my homework basically everyday. I cant think of a day that goes by where i havent cheated. I havent talked to my mom about it, because she thinks i make great grades and she is "alwats bragging" about me. Im lost. Im sure this question is asked a lot, but i could really use some help. Thank you. Ryan, Dallas Texas.

Answer 1

Clearly, if you are feeling so depressed that you cannot function or if you are feeling suicidal, you need to get professional assistance as soon as possible. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), most people with depression do not seek treatment, although the great majority—including those with severe depression—can be helped.

Depression can make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. According to NIMH, “Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize the actual circumstances. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect.” In the meantime, there are many things you can do to help yourself avoid or reduce the occurrence of depression.

Try several of the following tips and see which work best for you. Some may work better than others at different times, so be sure to try a variety of approaches. Use the tips as starting points. Then let yourself be creative in developing other ideas.

While trying the many activities suggested below, allow yourself to be guided and comforted by the following general reminders from NIMH in regard to depression recovery:

Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.

Set priorities and do what you can when you can.

Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately.

Feeling better takes time.

People rarely “snap out of” a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.

Positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.

Let others help you.

Tips for activities you can do alone to avoid or reduce depression

Sweat exercise: Do any form of aerobic exercise—such as brisk walking, biking, or running in place—until you work up a healthy sweat.

Turn on your favorite music and dance, dance, dance—until you work up a sweat.

Sing in the shower.

Instead of listening to the radio or talking on your cell phone, roll up the car windows and sing loudly.

Get a dog or other pet—or simply visit a pet store to boost your spirits.

Plant and tend a garden—an herb garden takes up very little space.

If you are really upset, take a brisk walk and focus exclusively on the physical and emotional sensations you experience in your body. Stay out of your head—no thoughts allowed!

Rent funny videos or see funny movies and plays.

Go to the store and read all the humorous greeting cards.

Treat your self to a great cup of coffee—if you take half-decaf and half regular, you can have two cups a day (too much caffeine can bring you down, but one cup is safe enough).

Let nature bring you up—walk by the ocean or other waterways, hike the hills and forests.

Draw, paint, or write.

Avoid foods that zap your energy—for most people, sugar and pasta can be downers.

Give yourself a hand or foot massage, or go get a back rub or body massage.

Take a hot bubble bath with candles and music in the room.

Tips for activities you can do with others to avoid or reduce depression

Strike up conversations with strangers—in line at the market, walking in your neighborhood, at the local park, etc.

Pet the animals or volunteer to walk the dogs at a local animal shelter.

Become a “big brother” or “big sister” to a lonely child.

Having lunch with friends.

Ask your friends to turn off their cell phones when they are
with you, and do the same for them.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Set up at least three dates with friends or acquaintances at the beginning of each week.

Take an acting, singing, or dancing class—even if you have no talent whatsoever!

Avoid people that make you feel bad.

Improve your intimate relationships.


Tips to improve your environment to avoid or reduce depression

Cut and arrange flowers or bring a live plant into your office or living space.

Clean up your room (or start with one small shelf, drawer, or corner).

Wash your clothes.

Paint your walls a shade of yellow or another color that cheers you up.

Try different kinds of music in your home—peppy, mellow, country, opera, pop, etc.

Try aromatherapy—use different scents of candles, incense, or oils. Choose fragrances that remind you of a happy place or time or those that are known for their uplifting qualities.

Move the furniture around to create a different feeling in a room.

Change the lighting—try opening windows or curtains; if necessary, get full-spectrum light tubes.

Answer 2

You say you have a good life, nice friends, nice family. If you are in depression there might be many causes, you'd better go to a psychatrist, there is no shame in it.
I suggest, that you should busy yourself in something constructive, like write stories, poems, etc. Trust in God is the solution of every problem. Study books, on the lives of great people, study religion. Stop cheating in your homework, I think that you lack a goal in life, that's why you feel something like you're wasting your life. Think what you want to become, and why? Serve people, that'll give you inner peace. Well, I was saying you should'nt cheat, just try to do your homework yourself, discuss with your friends. Do discussion with your friends on any topic, that'll give you confidence. You'd better also meditate, go to:
www.meditation.faithweb.com
On this site, you'll have to fill a form and they'll send you an email about what sort of meditation suits you.
Also visit:
www.azeemiaspirituallibrary.coms.ph

Answer 3

Ryan, I had just posted a question about depression in the general health section, and had to have a friend tell me I suffered from depression before I went to seek help from my doctor. It is not a sign of weakness or failure if you do this - depression is extremely common in todays fast paced world. Take my advice honey, talk to your mum, ask her to take you to see your doctor, and get some help. Being on medication lifted the dark cloud from my shoulders and my brow is no longer furrowed into a frown. I've stopped my constant crying and have taken to doing things around the house again (gradually). Workmates have commented that I am more my old self and smiling more often. Don't let anyone tell you depression is all in the head - most times its simply an imbalance of a chemical our body makes to have us feel happy. Short term medication helps fix this. Good luck. Hope this helps you in some small way. But most importantly, speak to someone TODAY !!

Answer 4

Ryan, you need to let your mom know what's going on--or your dad, if that's more comfortable for you.

You need help. You have to admit it to yourself and to your parents.

Depression is serious, but it's treatable. I'm not a professional, so I can't give you any advice other than to go to the experts. You need counseling and you need it fairly soon.

Don't worry. It doesn't mean your crazy or stupid or anything like that. It means maybe you've been under too much pressure from somewhere, maybe inside yourself.

You can't do it on your own. You have to get help. God bless you and good luck and get help.

Answer 5

Sometimes we have great lives, but are still depressed. It's not something you should be ashamed of. It's highly possible that you may have a chemical imbalance...that can account for you not being able to concentrate, sleeping too much, and wanting to cry all the time. It would be beneficial for you to suggest to your mom that you want to see a psychiatrist about your depression. Don't be afraid to talk to her. It's always hard to "fess up" to people we love that we're depressed, but if you want help, you have to ask for it.

Answer 6

The best thing that you can do for yourself is to talk to someone! Something, somewhere, is bothering you, don't let your future slip away because of it. Don't do it for your mom,do it for you and your own peace of mind!!!

Answer 7

Seek professional help... honestly its the best way to sort out your feelings.

Good Luck...Keep smiling

Answer 8

You need to see a doctor. They can prescribe antidepressants for you.