Depression?

Question

I'm 13. I have many of the symptoms. It takes me forever to fall asleep at night. I usually don't wake up in the middle of the night, but when I do, I can't go back to sleep. I fidget constantly. I have lost interest in many of my favorite activities. I hate being around my family and participating in family activities. I have trouble concentrating in class. I feel horrible all of the time. It's not like normal sadness, and I can't seem to understand what's causing it. If I am depressed, shouldI get help? Based on the information given if I do have depression, how would you rate it on a scale of 1-10? I've never felt like this before. If not depression, what is it?

I've been this way for over a year. I feel horrible all the time. It lasts long after two weeks.

I'm comfortable with the school I'm going to. I'm in the eighth grade. It's my third year there. I have many good friends, and I'm not being bullied or have been. I never get into trouble. I'm in the advanced placement classes and am doing well in them. I can't find a reason for my unhappiness. I enjoy nothing. Everything's so hopless it seems.

Answer 1

Sweetie, you're not alone.
You sound exactly like me four years ago. I was in eighth grade, top of my class, all the advanced classes, but still--something was wrong.
I would say your depression ranks around 7.8 by the sound of it. Please, get help. Talk to your mum or dad..even a counselor at school. Don't let it go any futher.
If you don't get help now, the next step of depression will be thoughts of suicide...and beleive me its scary. Don't let that be a wakeup call; take in life right now, and let someone help you.
Don't let this control you for another monment, you deserve happiness and contentment in life.
Email me hun if you need anything at all! We're all here for you and beleive it or not, things will get better...even if it doesn't seem that way right now.

Answer 2

I have been suffering from post partum depression for the past one year when I gave birth to a baby boy. I couldn't stop thinking about how my husband loves him more than me and how things might be better if he wasn't born at all. Thus, I stayed away from him because I knew that I might do something I will regret for the rest of my life. Almost instantly I went to a therapist and convince them that I need help. Among other things, I've tried herbal supplements and other book to treat depression but nothing works like the Depression Free Method. So now I'm proud to say I'm one of the happiest mother in the world. My husband loves us both very much and I thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us. Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

Sounds like you have anxiety and depression. We can't say which comes first; it varies. And only you can "scale it" fromm 1 to 10. You are young, but that doesn't mean it's a 1 or a 10. It's all about how soon you get help for it. Tell your parents so they can take you to the doc and get some meds for it. you'll feel better knowing you're doing something about it.

Dont put this off, honey. It's very important to treat earlier than later. It could be as simple as a chemical imbalance, so use that excuse to your parents if you think they won't understand. But do get help. We'll be praying for you.

Answer 4

Meaghan: Wow, I'm impressed with your ability to express yourself in such a mature fashion.

I'm not sure that you have what is currently referred to as "clinical depression". Maybe you do, but I wouldn't rush to that conclusion. So many weird new chemicals are coursing through your brain and blood stream at your age that it might be impossible to sort out a specific malady.

However, you are exceptionally perceptive and I think you have a reason to be concerned. Discuss this with your parents and ask to see a competent specialist in adolescent mental health (yes, there are specialists in this - I personally know two such doctors). You might need medical treatment, but you might not. Some really good talk therapy may be all that is needed to get you on stable ground.

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the way you have articulated your situation. I'm sure that you will find a way to get through this, but don't try to do it all yourself. There is help available and it will make your life so much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Answer 5

Depression Basics
Some people say that depression feels like a black curtain of despair coming down over their lives. Many people feel like they have no energy and can't concentrate. Others feel irritable all the time for no apparent reason. The symptoms vary from person to person, but if you feel "down" for more than two weeks, and these feelings are interfering with your daily life, you may be clinically depressed.

Most people who have gone through one episode of depression will, sooner or later, have another one. You may begin to feel some of the symptoms of depression several weeks before you develop a full-blown episode of depression. Learning to recognize these early triggers or symptoms and working with your doctor will help to keep the depression from worsening.

Most people with depression never seek help, even though the majority will respond to treatment. Treating depression is especially important because it affects you, your family, and your work. Some people with depression try to harm themselves in the mistaken belief that how they are feeling will never change. Depression is a treatable illness.

Life with depression
Working with your doctor, you can learn to manage depression. You may have to try a few different medications to find the one that works best for you. Your doctor may also recommend that you see a therapist and/or make certain lifestyle changes.

Change won't come overnight—but with the right treatment, you can keep depression from overshadowing your life.

Answer 6

It could be depression related to your adolescent years. Adolescence has a tendency to make children moody and have symptoms similar to depression. Children have problems with self esteem and maintaining their focus and concentration. Some of this is brought on by the search and change in your body brought about by hormones. Then their are the psychological needs of trying to establish an identity while trying to feel like you fit in somewhere. Seeing a counselor can help. I would recommend trying behavioral methods before seeking medication. Try to look ahead and be "adult-like". Research what goes on in adolescence and see how it matches up to how you are feeling. All the people who wrote books about it it also went through it. It is a difficult time, but everyone eventually gets through it. You can manage your feelings once you realize why you are having them. By examining them and coming to an understanding about them, you can explain them to others. It may not stop you from getting angry or sad, but afterwards you can explain to people how you feel and why you are feeling that way. You can say that you know it may not make sense, but sometimes your feelings are so jumbled up you can't make sense, and you are sorry if you hurt them. They will understand and it will bring them back to their own adolescence and their own problems. Good luck! I have faith you can make it!

Answer 7

Tips to Beat Insomnia and Get a Restful Night of Sleep

Do you feel as if you're getting as much sleep as anybody else, but you're still waking up tired? Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep once you do? You're probably not alone. Many people in our modern, industrialized society are chronically sleep deprived. We are continually stressed and running short on time. To further complicate matters, we tend to depend upon caffeine, cigarettes and sugar as a substitute for what only a good night's sleep can provide. Sleep patterns and mood are intimately related. Sleep deprivation makes us irritable and depressed. Many of us become so desperate to get a good night's sleep that we resort to medications, but is that really necessary? Perhaps the best medicine of all is to start really listening to your body instead of working against it's needs.

How to Establish Good Sleep Patterns:

1. Determine the number of hours you need to feel rested.# Don't worry if you don't fit into the "norm" of eight hours. A good guideline to start with is how many hours you sleep when you "sleep in" on the weekends.
2. Calculate a bedtime that will allow you to get this many hours and wake up at a reasonable hour (for example, when you need to get ready for work).
3. The first day, wake yourself at the time you would like to be your usual waking time, whether you are rested or not. You may need help from a friend, relative or alarm clock the first few days.
4. Throughout the day, resist the urge for a nap.
5. Limit your intake of caffeine. Do not consume any caffeine after mid-afternoon. It's effects can take hours to wear off. You will eventually find that you are getting enough rest and don't need an extra boost in the morning to wake up.
6. A couple of hours before bedtime, begin to allow yourself to wind down. A regular evening ritual can help you relax and will signal your body that it's time to rest.
7. If you feel tense, try the following: Kava Kava, Valerian, chamomile tea, soft music, scented candles, a hot bath or a massage. Some also report that melatonin supplements taken near bedtime help them fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone associated with the sleep cycle.
8. Avoid over the counter and prescription sleep meds and alcohol. Although you may fall asleep, your sleep will not be gentle and natural. You will feel groggy in the morning.
9. If you are troubled by racing thoughts that just won't stop, get up and do something to keep yourself occupied until the thoughts subside. They'll pass much more quickly this way.
10. If you just can't sleep, don't lie in the bed and toss and turn. Get up and do something until you are tired enough to sleep.
11. Get up at your predetermined time, no matter how tired you may feel.
12. Repeat the above steps until you are able to fall asleep on time and wake up rested. This will generally take 2-3 days.

Tips:

1. Don't despair if you have to go sleepy for a couple of days to get back on track. For most people, these steps will work if followed faithfully.
2. Keep a regular schedule, even on weekends. If you do, every day will feel as glorious as "sleeping in" on the weekends.
3. If keeping a regular sleep schedule is not working for you, consult an expert for further assistance. Certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been associated with depression.

Answer 8

Dear Meaghan, I agree with so many of these response. I suggest you read them all carefully. I especially liked the one about going to your counselor at school. That is a neutral zone. Then I think s/he would bring in your parents which seems appropriate right about now. Yes, you might just be hormonal and stressed out right now? Starting up school. (What grade are you in now? a new Middle School?) but I think not. Stressed. Anxiety. And depression all sound similar to your symptoms. Please? I was your age too? And I didn't act? I had to quite college during my frosh and Senior years to get help at a psychiatric ward. Much of all of this inner in balance is hormonal or just unbalanced chemical of the inner body and brain. But You are TOO precious to lose now! You have a new life ahead of you with many, many exciting things which will happen in your upcoming future! Look towards that and ACT NOW! Honestly I wish you would? Love, ya!

Answer 9

You seem to have a good grip on the symptoms of depression, and I think you know what the answer is. It sounds as though you may be depressed. Please seek help from a professional soon. At 13 you have so much to do, so much fun to have, and you dont need the depressive symptoms getting in the way. On a 1-10, Id say about a 7.

Answer 10

I think it's probably depression, but I wouldn't know how to rate it. Some people are barely depressed, and some people are in so much pain from it they kill themselves. Talk to your parents about it. Psychiatrists and counselors really can help. I did, and now I'm 20, still struggling with depression, but with a 4.0 in college and feeling better than I was. It'll be fine. Just take action, like you would with any other illness, to get better.

Good luck!