TeenHealthFX - Answers - I Hate Feeling This Way

Depression / Question
Published: July 9, 2007

Dear TeenHealthFX,

It's been a while now since i've started feeling bad. I hate my weight and the way i look. I cry sometimes because of that and my parents fight a lot and sometimes talk about divorce. I also feel worthless. I feel like if i died no one would really care. Sometimes i feel like i wanna die, although i would never kill myself,i think about it. Sometimes i feel okay, but there are stretches when I feel so bad its just so hard. I think I might be depressed but i'm not sure. I'm afraid that if I tell someone I might be depressed they would just tell me that i'm fine, just deal with it, and stop being a baby. I'm confused and down. I don't know what to do, please answer me cause i hate feeling this way! Is there something wrong with me? I'm ebarassed to go to anyone else!!!!!!!!

Signed: I Hate Feeling This Way

Dear I Hate Feeling This Way,

While TeenHealthFX cannot give a definitive diagnosis over the internet, you do have some symptoms of depression – thoughts of suicide, feelings of worthlessness, frequent crying/sad mood, and low self-esteem. And these kinds of thoughts and feelings can be very difficult to deal with – so FX can appreciate that you “hate feeling this way.”

FX thinks that it would be a good idea for you to meet with a mental health professional to be evaluated for depression, and so the symptoms listed above can be addressed in a way that helps your mood to improve and that helps you to feel better about yourself. FX would like to stress that having these specific thoughts and feelings, whether connected to a diagnosis of depression or not, does not mean something is wrong with you in terms of your being defective in some way. What it means is that you are dealing with, and may require treatment for, the kinds of issues that thousands of teenagers and adults deal with every day.

While it may feel embarrassing to reach out to someone, FX encourages you to tell your parents or a counselor at school that you would like your current symptoms evaluated so that arrangements can be made for you to have a consultation with a therapist and/or psychiatrist. If someone reacts by telling you that you are “fine” or by saying that you “just need to deal with it” – FX thinks that it is very important for you to stand your ground and say that you know you are NOT fine, that you need professional help with this, and that it is perfectly fine, acceptable and intelligent on your part to look for the support and guidance of a mental health professional when dealing with the kinds of issues you are describing.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area.

If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Signed: TeenHealthFX