Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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Mental Health
/ Depression Support Group

Self Diagnosis

RillaKimberly
RillaKimberly
Hey, can someone help me please. I think I might have depression. I haven't actually talked to anyone about it yet - I just wanted to know if I actually have a problem, I don't want to end up bothering anybody if this is simply me being emotional. Usually, I seem fine but the second I'm not busy, I fall to pieces. It's become worse lately, I'm constantly over-emotional and seem to break down and cry at the drop of a hat. Just the other day I ended up breaking down at the restraint with my family - I'm still not quite sure why. I'm either sleeping too much or barely sleeping at all and half the time I'm either eating everything I can get my hands on or I am completely lacking of appetite. I haven't cut or anything, but there has been a couple of times when I've had the urge to. It's really hard to motivate myself sometimes. I just started high school and everything is going great so I should be really excited, but everything is sort of just dull. Usually, as long as I busy myself with volunteer and leadership, I'm fine, but lately everything feels off. I kind of would like help about this, but I feel like if I tell my parents, I will have to give the reason why I feel like this and I don't feel like I'm ready for that yet. Does this at least sound like I have depression, or am I just being moody?
joneszy93
joneszy93
I'm sorry that you're feeling like this, Rilla. My advice would first try and talk to a counselor at school as to how you're feeling like this. and/or see your family dr and let them know how you feel. It sounds like you may be dealing with depression, but it's better to get checked out by your dr, just to make sure. I wish you well.
sweatingbullets
sweatingbullets
Sounds like it can be depression, is something worrying you or stressing you out? When you mentioned a reason for feeling like this, it sounds like you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling :)
Community LeaderThePepperMan
ThePepperMan
Rilla, this is exactly the time that it is important to talk to a professional! We can listen to you a lot here and give you feedback that may be spot on. But the reality is that there is no substitute for a proper diagnosis. Sometimes there are body chemistry issues that can make things bad, sometimes there are experiences that we have that are impacting how we feel and act. Sometimes there are genetic issues that predispose us to certain things.

I'm way past 16, but I do have memories of it, and I know that getting up the courage to talk to your parents can be very difficult. One thing you can do is tell your parents that you would like to get a complete physical. You have the right to ask your mom to NOT be in the room for it. Then you can tell your doctor some of what is going on; she/he may then refer you to a therapist for an evaluation.

This is a very important step; putting it off means that these problems you are talking about (crying a lot, sleeping a lot or not at all, eating everything in sight or not eating at all, etc) can get worse and then get to the point where they are issues you have trouble dealing with.