want to talk about depression

Posted by alex77 @alex77, Oct 25, 2011

hi im 15 im new to this site and i was wonder about any groups i could add to talk about this

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

This has to be a lot for you to handle, I know how much it hurts myself. I also know that it takes a LOT of courage to tell someone about it because you feel like you're the only one that has a problem, nobody will understand, they'll think you're worthless, other people will think you are stupid...just about everything and any fear you can think of, I'm sure it has gone through your mind, just like it did with me. And to be honest, I had to tell them something else at one point during the worst time...that I was gay. I'm saying all this because I know where you have been and are, and because I thought of doing something to myself that I'm so glad I didn't. You have to work up the attitude in yourself that you are a a wonderful person with so much to give. You have to work up to the point that no matter what the consequences, you will tell someone you trust, a parent, teacher, best friend, that will listen to you and not laugh, but will tell you that everything is going to be all right. It's not an easy task, it's not very easy to imagine that someone would accept you for who you, just as you are, but it's the best thing for you to do. You have really started on the right track already by talking in this group because,as you can see, people who don't even know you care enough to want to talk and help you. So why not trust your parents to be even more helpful and love you just the same by opening up to them. I can promise you that getting all this out you will feel so much better. Depression is often a chemical inbalance, not something "mental", and can be easily treated with just a little medication and, in my case a combination of diet and one medication. Sounds hard, and it is to let go and let someone help, but it's also the best way for you to climb out of this hole and start to see that, at your age, there is so much more to life than being miserable. Please put aside the fears for just a few minutes, go to your parents (or someone I suggested) and just blurt it out. It will pay off for you. There is nothing wrong with you that so many others haven't been through and conquered. When you do, and then look back at the whole thing, you'll wonder why it you didn't confide in someone a long time ago.

I care about you and what happens to you. You have your whole life to deal with a lot more important things, like school, college, where to live, who to hang with, what to do, and deciding what you want to accomplish in your life. Don't let this stumbling block stop you from being what God created you to be. You have a big brother here that's always ready to talk. Don't be afraid...we're here to catch you if you fall.

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

Who are you closest to? Your mom or your dad? I'd speak to the one that you feel most comfortable with talking about something really private. If you aren't sure about your parents, do you have someone else you are close with in your family that you could share this with? If you feel more comfortable with a friend's parent or a teacher, I'm sure they will be willing to listen and help you also. Just think about who YOU feel most comfortable telling. Then, that is who you should talk to first. They can help you sort it out after that.

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

If you want to tell a parent or both parents, don't worry about how to tell them. Just tell them! That's what is most important here. You can do it! You are not alone, I had to tell my parents too.

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

a kindof edged it on to my cousin and she said why are you always so glummy and sad. but i didnt say im depressed. and she told a couple other people witch i dont get its not her to tell and a question what is the difference in school counsilers and pshyciatrist is that it or theropy

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

a week ago i was thinking to wait tell i was 18 so my parents didnt have to find out about it

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

how did they first respond to it

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

Your cousin shouldn't have told anyone without your express permission, so you may not be able to confide in her about this if she is just telling anyone about your depression. If she is telling someone that is able to help you, like your parents,a school counselor, or a psychologist, then that's a little different. At any rate, she should be respectful of your feelings and need to be careful who she tells, and you need to tell her that. If she is not responsive and says that she can tell anyone, then I wouldn't personally let her in on any more "secrets." In some ways, if she is about your age, she wouldn't know the right things to say, who to talk to, or even may be thinking a lot of the same things. There's a saying that, "Misery loves company." So consider this when you talk to someone around your own age. A responsible adult, trained in how to handle depression and teen issues is the person you need to talk to ultimately.

Now, for your other question. A well trained school counselor is a good person to talk to as they are bound by a law called HIPAA to keep all conversations confidential (unless you verbally say that you are thinking of hurting yourself or worse.) They can only release information to someone else with your written or verbal permission. The one problem here is that you are still a minor, and some of the regulations may not protect you from a person in authority contacting your parents. Generally speaking, as a minor, they may tell your parents in your case unless you specifically tell them they may not. If you really feel that your parents won't understand, or won't let you be open with them, then I would start with the school counselor. But before you tell the counselor what you're thinking and why, remind them that your conversation is confidential (as long as you don't mention what I just said above) and if they say they can tell who they want, then I would be careful about what you say. If he/she agrees that your conversation is confidential, even to your parents if you don't want them to know, then I would lean on him/her to let you confide in them. Tell them what's been bothering you, why you think so. If it's something that you have a hard time saying because they might think less of you, they won't. Maybe you will have to talk to them several times to build up some trust level in your mind that they are going to respect your wishes about confidentiality before you tell them everything, but that is also the process you would go through with a therapist. It takes a little time to develop that trust with someone you don't really know. The nice thing about that is that they should have no preconceived thoughts about you, who you are, and what's bothering you. Go slow, take your time and build that trust level with the person you finally decide to talk to. If they are true to their word they will guide you in the right direction towards positive help and a brighter day.

If you find that you might like to talk to a psychologist, pretty much the same thing applies. I went to the psychologist and happened to find someone who was very caring, very open and concerned about my feelings and wanted to really help me understand and work through all the crazy things bouncing around in my head. If you don't feel that the your parents will understand, or the school counselor isn't the one you can develop a good rapport with, and that may happen in a smaller school because everybody knows everybody, then here's the next step up the ladder.

Look up a local counseling center in the yellow pages or online wherever you live, tell them what's going on, explain to them exactly how old you are, can they help, do they have to have your parents involved...every question that you can think of, including can they help with how to cover the costs. Many clinics will provide help at no cost through local grants and money put aside for such times. I worked for one place like that where we never turned anyone away. Remember that these professionals are trained to know how to talk to you, to encourage you, to provide help, and are bound by the the HIPAA Laws in some circumstances to protect you. Again, if you say that you might hurt yourself or worse, then you really need to convey that to them immediately and let them help you right away. Although it seems like every day is the end of the world, in reality, it isn't that bad and you have so many good days coming that you can't see at your age. So if you do feel that you might hurt yourself, please, please call a counseling center immediately and let them know. They will help you right away. And don't be afraid to tell them exactly what you are thinking. Your life is precious to you, your parents, friends, people you don't even know...and me, your big bro.

Even the Mayo Clinic, the blog we're talking, on will tell you how to get help if you were to call them. There are also other options to talk to people over the phone, such as The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 (free call), which is a 24/7 hotline where someone who is trained will talk you through some of this confusion and point you in the right direction. Anything you tell them is also confidential. Whatever way you feel comfortable going, please don't let the depression make you think that you're different, or weird, crazy, or any other bad things because you're not. Nobody was given instructions on how to get through life in the most perfect way and you are not alone in this. I would say that many of your classmates are going through the very same thing, but are also afraid to speak out and tell someone.

The very worst thing that could happen is for me to find out that something has happened to you. That would weigh very heavy on my mind to think you felt so lonely and alone you couldn't talk to anyone. So remember, I'm here, will talk anytime, and I understand how you feel. If there was some way to get you my phone number without spreading it all over the internet I would do that if you wanted, or even my email so we could keep talking. I realize that even saying things online can be an issue, as it was with me also. Keep talking to us, to me, to any of the people of places I mentioned. Remember that you are loved just the way you are by people you don't even know yet. I love you bro, so keep hanging in there and think about everything I've said.

(PS: If anyone out there feels that I'm wrong in my advice please say so, but I speak from very personal experience and from my heart so be easy.)

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

do you know im a girl right i wasnt sure if you knew that because you were saying bro

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

and is there a way to get your email

REPLY
@foxauthor

Did anyone reply to your question? I know that I saw a mention of depression somewhere here, but since I'm new here I don't have the answer either. I've dealt with depression for years as a result of a very rare neurological disease and was treated with medications, which I'm not almost off of thanks to seeing a psychologist for some time now. What is causing your depression at your young age?

Jump to this post

It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, a person is a person and it changes nothing. I grew up with two very over-bearing sisters so I've been through just about everything you can imagine. Recently, as I mentioned a while back, one of them beat me up and I had to call the police. You can imagine what kind of mess that has caused in the family. Everything I've said still applies, no matter what. And you still have a big brother here to call on. I am a pretty vocal person about myself, who I am, and what I believe because I believe in people, what they can achieve given the right guidance and help, and will never give up on anyone. So being a girl makes no difference as far as I'm concerned. You are hurting and that's enough for me to know. I sort of knew anyway, so don't even give it a thought. I don't want to get into trouble because you are a minor, so we have to not cross some lines, but my words and advice is still the same and still comes from my heart.

You are a wonderful person, that I'm sure, and worth knowing as a person. I hope that you will at least re-read what I last wrote and think about seeking someone out that you can trust not to gossip or talk behind your back and get the right advice to help you see the light that is shining at the end of this mess.

No, I'm not going anywhere, and yes, I'm still here to talk to, and still a big brother.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.