Coming out to others about potential Depression and Anxiety

Firstly, from the way you express yourself, you are intelligent. #2 let's start with there is nothing wrong with you. You may by nature be introverted and a thinker. This is a little out of sync with this extroverted/feeling world. Check out where you might be on the Briggs Meyers scale. #3 Bluntly, your parents' way of thinking is outdated. Short of regressing into Totalitarianism, we are much more accepting and inclusive. I respected my post WW-2 parents, but they were not educated. I wish I had known that I was "smarter" than they were. In their timidity and fearfullness, they misdirected me and held me back, then criticized me for not working up to my potential. Continue to respect yours, but with some independence, figure out what YOU need, and go for it. If it's a bust, keep trying. #3 Check out the Highly Sensitive Child literature. See if some of this fits. #4 Find what has meaning for you-physical, mental, creative, religious?-and do them. #5 Before medications with all their uncertainty and complications, see how far you can get on your own steam. #6 You can benefit from your therapist's help, but they are running a business and you know more about yourself than they ever will. Keep your power for yourself being conservative in sharing it with anyone. #7 Keep in touch with us on Chat, and #8 do not do things that will hurt you. You are valuable and we don't want to hear that you packed it in.
Stay in touch.

@minervaz First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's a brave thing to step up and tell us you need some guidance.

A very long time ago I was 17, also. And struggling with all that was going on. Over the years I have come to understand that going through our adolescence like you are doing now, there are so many changes happening all at once. Physical, emotional, mental, and in society. It's easy to be overwhelmed, and in my opinion, anyone who tells me they aren't overwhelmed, well, not too sure I believe them. Bet many in your group of friends and family feel the same way!

Do you journal, write out your thoughts and feelings? Or draw them out? Get enough exercise to help you feel like your energy has been put to good? Do you have a trusted adult you could talk to, who knows your situation better than us, who could offer you a shoulder to lean on? For me, one of my mother's friends availed herself to me, and was always there when I needed her. She never said anything to my mother, and I look kindly on that positive lady in my life.

Honor yourself. Take the time needed to truly like yourself and know what is working for you. Come back here and let me know how you are doing today. Not everything has to have a medication to solve an issue. Will you share why you went to see a therapist in the first place?
Ginger

My father was a Southern Baptist minister with a doctorate in theology. I was an atheist at a very young age. His idea of dealing with my mental issues didn't work for me. What has worked for me is research on my own. Dialectical Behavior Therapy uses a tool called Radical Acceptance. Learning to accept our environment and those around us, instead of wishing what they SHOULD be, in our opinion, let's us concentrate on ourselves. We can't change others, but we can change how we react to them. The same goes with our environment often. At your age you probably can't change your school. Perhaps you can change your environment AT school however. Guidance counseling at your school may be available to you. I won't recommend psychotropic drugs of any kind, especially to someone as young as you. I would focus on what it is that is causing you anxiety, and how we can change our exposure to it. Is being exposed to that stressor necessary for attaining a goal? If not, how do we limit or better yet, eliminate it from our life? You are so young and have much to offer in your life. I'm 64 now. Had I known the strength we, as in you and I, have inside of us, I could have made healthier decisions. Exercise, diet, sleep, and mental activity are things you, yourself can optimize on your own. You control your actions. You are so much stronger and resilient than you realize. Follow your heart and trust your instincts. I wish you well.

At your age I felt odd but I was not as aware as you are. I didn’t know what was going on, like a fog. My parents are South American so being Spanish in America at that time meant assimilation. To me that meant acting like everyone else. That’s very confusing. You seem to have awareness and high ego strength. This is excellent. Do research into diet, sleeping, breathing exercise and see how they help. If down the road you do need medication then you will know. Continue to trust yourself and your gut. You are not broken just that growing up is hard. Be gentle with yourself.