TeenHealthFX - Answers - Fine At School, Depressed, Angry And Overwhelmed At Home

Depression / Question
Published: June 24, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I have no idea why I feel so depressed. I live in a pretty stable household but I am always so angry and sad ever since I started high school. I can't understand why though, I have good friends and I make decent grades but when I get home I feel so devastated. It's like a feeling of acomplishing nothing and never being able to be "happy". I try to be very good but sometimes I become so angry I just can't bare it. When I'm at school, I'm fine but when I get home I get angry and overwhelmed its like a sudden transition to depression and I hate it. I think about everything bad that could happen and I drive myself to anxiety then a deep mode of depression. I don't like feeling this way. Do you know why this may occur?

Signed: Fine At School, Depressed, Angry And Overwhelmed At Home

Dear Fine At School, Depressed, Angry And Overwhelmed At Home,

You may be experiencing these emotions because you have an underlying mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar, in reaction to certain environmental stressors, or some combination of the two. And your depressed and irritable moods might show themselves at home more than they do at school for a variety of reasons. It might feel safer to show sadness and anger at home – maybe it feels better for you to have people outside of the home thinking everything is fine with you. It is also possible that there is something upsetting you in your home environment, so that you feel okay in school but then become sad or angry when you are in your house.

TeenHealthFX can only speculate as to why you are feeling this way and what makes these feelings come out at home only. That said, it is important for you to meet with a mental health professional who can give you an accurate diagnosis and can work with you on developing an effective treatment plan depending on that diagnosis. The therapist may recommend individual therapy, family therapy, medication management or some combination of the three.

Given your level of distress, FX thinks that it is important for you to seek out help immediately. So talk to your parents (or any other trusted adults who can intervene on your behalf) as soon as possible so that a consultation can be set up and you can start on the road to feeling better.

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. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

Signed: TeenHealthFX