Depression Maybe

Published: April 16, 2019
Dear TeenHealthFX,
hi, so ive been feeling like really sad lately and lonely. I know im not really alone my mom always makes sure im ok and i have a boyfriend who i know really cares about me and loves me but im scared to tell my mom how im feeling because she wont take it "seriously" shell probably jusy brush it off as me overacting or something along those lines which shes done before (im terifeid of getting yelled at because i cry really easily and then i get yelled at more). But also i dont know if i am overeacting or i am really depressed heres what ive been feeling lately i dont know if youll be able to identify if i am depressed but i figured it was worth a shot -i have been extremely tired and unenergized its getting harder to pay attention in school and when i get home all i wanna do i lay down and sleep -i have some friends (idk maybe like 3 good ones) but i feel like im annoying them so i dont talk to them about how i feel or just talk in genral honestly -i appolagize for stuff i didnt even do or really small stuff like i just repeatedly appologize and ik it annoys people i just feel like everythings my fault somehow -i get extremely stressed over small things and i procrastinate alot which doesnt help (for example i had to return my soccer uniform around november of last year and on the day we were supposed to return it i forgot it so i said it give it to the coach the next day and i couldnt find her so i kept putting it off and its been 4 months and i still cant seem to find her at the right time and if i dont return it by June ill get helf back. Im really freaking out about that) so thats how i feel everyday i dont know if its normal but if theres something wrong with me i dont know what to do cause my mom and dad will just excuse it and my brother and sister will just make fun of me (im also extremly senstive) the only person that truely helps me is my boyfriend. But he has major problems right now and i dont want to add on. ( his dad abused him for several years before i met him, and his mom just had brain surgery to remove a tumor) hes getting help for his depression and anxienty and im really happy for him but besides him i really have no one else to talk to. I dont know if this is depression but overall i just feel lonely unenergized and a mess and i dont know what to do. I also have self harmed before i just dont know what to do. Signed, a confused teenager
Signed: Maybe Depression

Dear Maybe Depression,

TeenHealthFX is very sorry to hear how much you’ve been struggling. To be accurately diagnosed with depression and identify the issues that contributed to your self-harm you need to meet with, and be evaluated by, your pediatrician or a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, clinical social worker or clinical psychologist.

It seems like you have a good relationship with your mother. Although it might be hard, you need to have an honest conversation with her about how you’ve been feeling. It might be helpful if you write down examples before you start speaking to her.  This will help you remain focused and calm. If the conversation with your mother proves to be unproductive, or you are simply too worried about how it might go, then you should consider speaking to a trusted adult who can intervene on your behalf. This person could be a family member, school counselor, principal, school nurse, a teacher or your family doctor, who would be able to advocate for your getting the help you need.

You mentioned that you tend to procrastinate, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. Here are some helpful tips to beat procrastination:

  • Get organized. Write down all important assignments and due dates in a planner or use the calendar app on your phone

  • Set simple, achievable goals

  • Create a timeline, schedule and deadline

  • Do hard stuff first

  • Reward yourself when you’ve accomplished everything for the day, week or month

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a health professional, you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area, a valuable resource is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) an agency of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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