Am I Depressed?

You may be depressed. Depression is the mental illness we know best how to cure. There is no reason you have to stay depressed. Seek some professional help. You’ll be glad you did.

You might also have a doctor take a look at you. Your symptoms can also be caused by problems with your thyroid.

My family has a history of thyroid imbalance, and depression is a major symptom…@Darwin GA

@sndfreQ – My father and I are both hypothyroid, so I am familiar with the symptoms.

@Darwin okay, I’ll ask on my next check up.

@pdworkin Like, a psychologist? Great, so people can think I’m crazy…

Hi dear. First of all {{{hugs}}} and a Happy New Year to you and all the jellies reading this thread.

I won’t add too much to what @pdworkin said – as he is correct – there is no shame or stigma attached to seeking professional help or guidance.

I am a single father of two teens – a boy and a girl – and though I feel they can talk to me openly about anything – I am also not naive to think that they actually do. I would be proud and not in the least upset if one were to seek councel either independantly (through the school’s counselor, for example) or to aske me to see someone, if they were to feel depressed.

You only wrote a little about your social situation, nothing about your relationship with your parents. Can you talk to them? That would be the best start.

{{{hugs}}} and cheer up – everything’s gonna be alright!

@desiree333

No shame in seeing a psychiatrist if that’s what will help you. Don’t fool around with depression (or the possibility of depression).

I would like to offer the suggestion, though, that neither going to parties nor having boyfriends is the point or purpose of life, although I can see how the absence of those things can be a downer.

@Zen_Again haha thanks, happy new year :)

Ummm my social situation. Well, I am in eleventh grade, and I feel like I’m not getting to live the life a teenager should. I don’t have a boyfriend, I like a guy but he dosen’t even know I exist. I have lost touch with my best friend, which I think has a lot to do with it. All I hear is about people going to parties, drinking, falling in love, and just living! My weekends consist of watching movies, walking my dogs, and working. I am so bored with my life and I feel like need to start being the leading lady of my life.

My parents split when I was 4, but that really does not bother me at all. My mum and me have an okay relationship. I feel like we are not as close as we should be though, and I don’t think she understands me. When I try to have a real deep convo with her, she always has some sort of excuse of how shes busy, or how she needs a break from kids bugging her. My sister is 9 and she is really annoying and I feel like my mum favours her a little bit. My dad does not play the father role, he didn’t even say happy birthday to me when I was on the phone with him (2 days ago, on my bday) and I know he knew because he asked if today was my birthday.

@desiree333 I really feel for you and your situation, and as I have raised my teens from the ages of 6 and 4 (they’re beautiful, healthy and lovely 18 and 16 year-olds now) – I know how difficult it is for you – whether you understand all the aspects or not.

As I am looking at this (without knowing very much about you of course) from the father’s perspective, and having read carefully what you have written, I would suggest this:

Share it with your mom, but try to aim for a “good” time. She’s single, your dad’s out of the picture pretty much, you have a younger sister – she’s busy, stressed… she loves you and wants to talk with you – but sometimes she gets flustered and pushes you away – I am not siding with her – I am simply re-stating what you have written.

But she loves you, and you said you have an okay relationship. So start with mom – you can’t go wrong.

PLease seek help and guidance – either with your mom (ideally) or through school – there is absolutely, 100% no stigma attached to a social worker or psychologist helping you out. None. Period.

In fact, my daughter, when she was about 15, asked to see someone – as you have read here, just her not being in touch with her mom was reason enought to feel slightly depressed and anxious.

I asked her how she felt about the “stigma” of seeing a “shrink” – and she said that all her friends see one. It was almost a social status – because only the friends whose parents could afford one, saw one.

Being a teen in this day and age is stressful enough. I think everyone should have their own psychologist. Sadly, not everyone can afford help.

But it does not label you crazy at all, on the contrary dear, it labels you smart. {{{Hugs and Happy New Year!}}}

Wow, I think you read my mum like a book. I would like to see a psychologist, now that I think about it. I would normally be able to afford it, but with Christmas just passing, and my driving school, and my upcoming trip to England I know my mum won’t be able to afford it. The stress from the cost of a psychologist alone may end up making my situation and feelings worse than they already are. But thanks for understanding. :)

Are you a British Citizen? You shouldn’t have to pay…

You may be mildly or moderately depressed, @desiree333. More people feel this way at this time of the year than any other. Follow the advice to seek help, please. Your life and circumstances will improve and taking action will speed that along.

@pdworkin no, Canada. Why would you think that?

Depression is an illness, and you have public health care.

@Dr_Lawrence I really do think I am. I know its not just because of the time of the year, although it does seem a little worse. Even my mum has noticed, because shes said before that I seemed depressed.

@pdworkin Okay, your probably right, but I still think I would have to pay for therapy or councelling, whatever it would be.

There are ways to get help at a subsidised rate in Canada – I forget the name of the Christian organization. PLease ask your mom to look into it. At the very least, medicare might subsidize it, I think. But even if it’s out-of-pocket – please look into it.

Hey – is dad an option? In the sense that you might ask him to help out with this (funding of a professional?)

@drlawrence is in Canada – maybe he knows about this?

@Zen_Again Dad is not an option. He has lots of money, but he is very cheap. He wouldn’t help pay for my braces, and he barely helped out with the cost of my trip to England this march. He makes more than my mum yet he dosen’t help.

There is no point in trying to seek help, I couldn’t burden my mum any more and this would just cause her more stress. She would just think that all I need is to cheer up. I’ll just deal, and hopefully once I finish high school and get a life I’ll be okay.

Well, at the very least, get checked for hypothyroidism, and remember, there are trained counselors at school.

@pdworkin thanks :)

@desiree333 I understand about your dad. My ex was out of the picture that way, too, espcially financially. Things change though, and now the kids have a great relationship with her and she’s even come around financially.

I have asked Dr. Lawrence to write something for you. Read on.

Talk to your family doctor. A referral to a hospital-based psychologist may give you free access to their care or that of a psychologist working in the Psychiatry department.

If you live in or near a city with a major University, there may be a clinical psychology training program or an advanced social work program that trains clinicians, They often run free or nearly free clinics.

If by some chance you are near Winnipeg, I can give you ever more specific information. I trained there. PM me for more help.

:-)

Primary care, your family doctor is a great idea. They can help to check both the thyroid and depression question, and start initial therapy with thyroid hormone if you need it, or basic simple counseling.

If you are truly depressed, then any way you can find to fund one on one counseling will pay you back 10 fold. It’s tough to take the bull by the horns when you feel this way, but any other approach will produce more of the same.

the key to depression is a situation or sense of hopelessness. There is no visible way to rid yourself of feeling bad, and no hope of feeling good. This is a vicious cycle which can be broken. Acting down in the dumps shields you from friends etc. You need to learn how to avoid doing things that perpetuate the hopelessness.

Nice in theory, but almost impossible to do on your own. Counseling will pay you back.

I’m feeling your pain @desiree333. As a 17 year old who is about to turn 18 in a few days, that fact that everyone else is partying and i’m stuck at home just moping in front of the computer is a real bummer. Well if it makes you feel any better at least know that you’re not alone. :)

@Jayy and @desiree333 and all the lovely, smart and fantastic jellies here

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} you are not alone, and there is no shame in not partying and spending this time together here tonight. I am happy to be here talking with you, and proud to call you my fluther friends.

Lurve.

seems like you may be. try to get to a therapist or something so you can be sure if you think you might be you probaly are. you want to catch it early bc it can get out of control. i’m not depresses but with my disorders it took me a couple of years to get back on track

Yup, sounds just like me. Worse bummer is when none of the drugs work and “talking therapy” is only verbal combat. Mixed with autism it’s a delightful combination. When the world doesn’t give a shit and neither do you. Nice symmetry. Like being in a totally dark room and not even interested in looking for the light switch. Having a little voice in your head that’s telling you that you’re a worthless sack of shit, and agreeing wholeheartedly with it. When it’s a major life decision to get out of bed. When you tell anybody who contradicts the black thoughts that they are full of shit.When all you want to do is lie down, go to sleep and never wake up. When alcohol and Valium become your best friends. When you want to play Russian Roulette with all six loaded.

@Jayy its nice not to be alone. :P

@desiree333 Please see your family doctor, soon and let us know when you do! We care about each other here.

ditto that

@desiree333 You’re getting great advice here and we really do care. Sorry about the drivel I posted above; just letting you know that there are others in the same position. We must fight off this “black dog” whether by talking, pharamceuticals or both. Never give up, milady, there is always hope. Even when the light at the end of the tunnel is actually the headlight of an oncoming locomotive. Some of us just have to fight harder than others to find motivation. I thought the Canadian system provided for psychological counselling, or does it depend on what Province you live in?

The US is totally screwed up. Unless you’re wealthy or have good employer or military provided insurance you’re lucky to find any treatment at all. I’m currently paying out of my own pocket rather than deal with the VA’s nonsense and incompetance.

In Canada if you are referred by a physician to a psychologist working in a hospital setting, you may be able to get treatment at little or no cost, depending on your financial means.

Thanks everyone for all of the support, Lurve!

Hey Darling, I just want to start off by saying that if you ever need to talk to someone I’m here, spit me a message anytime you want to. I suffer from clinical depression that requires medication, and from what you’ve been saying it sounds like you do have depression. It’s funny, because when I was younger I just thought I was feeling sorry for myself, but I didn’t believe that depression ever existed and I HAVE it. So, after I got diagnosed I ended up feeling more like a failure because I couldn’t be normal like everyone else was, but then I ended up looking around and I found out something. No one is normal. I am glad I know that now, because my life is heading in a much better way than it was previously.

@lolitalyss Thank you, you sound very optimistic and understanding. I posted this thread a long time ago, and I haven’t had many depressive feelings for about 7 or 8 months-ish. Do you think depression can go away on its own? Or is it always going to be with me?

Hey sorry for the long wait on the response! It is possible for your symptoms to go away, but honey, you really should get checked out. It might be better now, but you should always double check just to be sure. Yes, for girls your age it is possible that depressed feelings can go away on their own, but if you have depression and it is left untreated bad things can happen. For me and everyone who loves you. PLEASE! Talk to your parents and go see a doctor sweetie. <3 Lurve!!

@lolitalyss Thank you for your concern. If I do have depression, which I don’t feel like it anymore then I guess I should get checked out. However, I don’t want to randomly tell my mum when I feel fine anyways and then talk to a doctor or a therapist when I don’t feel depressed at all. I would feel dramatic and like I’m stirring up the pot when it really isn’t necessary anymore.

Right, but it is always good to let the people that are there for you know about what’s going on in your life. To strengthen your support group is always a good idea honey. It’s not dramatic. Tell her “Mom, I’m not now, I was having issue dealing with my emotions.” Not only will it help your support grow and strengthen, but it would also help your relationship with your Mom. :)

@lolitalyss Okay, that’s probably a good idea.