Depression

[AngelBoy]

I need some advice. Im 15, and something has been wrong with me for about 3 years, I think its just depression, but Im not sure.

Aside from just overall being depressed, tired of life, etc... my appetite has dwindled down to around one small meal a day, my favorite things to do give me hardly any pleasure now, and I'm starting to get angry about everything. My life isnt that bad, I have a great mother, ive got friends (not many REAL good friends, none that I can talk to about this stuff), and a great church, but I just dont get any joy out of living anymore, like somethings missing.

I got enough courage to go to my parents about it a year ago, and mom took me to the doctor. The doctor told me that there wasnt anything wrong with me, and pretty much that I was just lazy and didnt care about anything.

Ive searched on the net about this, but the only thing I can find to help is to go to the doctor. I did that, it didnt work. Anyone got anything they think would help? I've run out of people and places to go to help, so I had to ask you guys.

[SG Avenger]

I've always been against going to doctors and "Specialists"... and against psycologists as well.

I mean how does me paying you to tell me what I already know, make me feel any better.

Anyhow, as you say the things you normaly are in to, just arnt cutting it anymore, you've got a supportive family/community, but just find the world a pretty bleak place.

I've been in a similar spot, my mom thought I needed counciling, I did the church thing etc. Basicly what I realised was that I was just tired of having everyone feed me what I needed to do, so I started to quest for knowledge on the net, read a bit more, and play a hell of a lot more video games.

Honestly what I think you need, is a change of scenery.. I know its hard to do that at 15, but traveling to other countries [via the Army] and states has really opened me up to more. I havn't watched TV in like 5-6 years, finding my own truthes in the world has made me feel better about myself. And while it may be wrong to feel this way, I feel that i'm better than most other people because trudge along doing what the TV tells them, and try desperately to be accepted by anyone.

Hands down though, the best cure for depression is a reality change. [i'm not suggesting running away] Just maybe find a road you've always wanted to go down, and see what is at the end of it.. it may change your outlook on things.

[Coal-Cracker]

yep. I recently hit a slump myself. High blood pressure, Anxiety and depression. Married, two kids, lots of job pressure. Went to a doctor and he was trying to prescribe effexor and xanax (for when things got too tense ).
I figured there had to be a better way than medication. So I analyzed my lifestyle and came to several conclusions. One I was getting way too much caffeine and sugar. We are talking 8 to 9 cans of soda a day. Now, I've read that your average can of soda is equivalent to 12-15 spoonfuls of sugar. Conservatively, that equates to 72 spoonfuls of sugar a day. That isn't even mentioning the caffeine. No wonder I was tense, followed by bouts of uneasiness and depression. Addionally, the sleep loss wasn't helping the internal-balance situation either. So I haven't had soda in over 2.5 months.
I also began a regular exercise regimine (after many months away). This also seems to help to maintain a balance. (Great energy release.)
I'm not saying to disregard the advice of a doctor. Just that you should always reevaluate your lifestyle first and see if a cure can be found.
(I'm not sure if this will help you any, so take it with a grain of salt.)

Good luck and take care,
Coal-Cracker

[AngelBoy]

I cant really "find a road and see whats at the end" because Ive done everything there is to do in my town except going out and getting completely wasted, which im not even listing as an option. The only way I can get a real "scenery change" in my life is to move, which isnt exactly possible at 15. I'll keep it in mind though, in case theres an opportunity I've missed, thanks.

My blood pressure is actually too low, from not having an appetite. My dad has actually grounded me and cussed me for not eating enough, which didnt help much.... I get exercise, from the sports I have to play (another reason I'm like this), and Im not allowed to drink many sodas, but i will keep this in mind also.

Again, thanks for the help.

[Miscue]

Depression is a real ailment, nothing to be ashamed of. I've dealt with minor depression since high school, and it took me a long time to realize what was happening. I did not realize that my brain wasn't wired right.

Initially, I had self-destructive... negative thoughts. I thought I was worthless, and stupid. I didn't ask girls out or anything, because rejection could have really hurt me. I'm much better with the girl situation now, but I still find myself questioning my intelligence and appearance all the time. No... I can't do that... I'm not smart enough... those kinds of thoughts. No, she won't like me... I'm too this and that.

It's pretty hard to get stuff done, when in the back of your mind you think: What's the point? I'm just going to kill myself anyway.

It was my biggest setback in college... I had a couple throw away semesters and my GPA sucked. I had an inspirational source with my girlfriend (now ex) at the time, and cranked through my last year of school... and actually got a couple A's. I had nearly given up...

My suggestion to you is... to surf the net and learn everything you can about depression. Read what others have to say, and realize that you are by far not the only one. You need to study yourself, and figure out what helps you and what hurts you. For me, I need to stay busy. I need sleep... I need food. I need to exercise. I need to have a piano, because it helps me out when I need it. Heck, I used to drive home on my lunch breaks just to play it for 10 minutes... rather than eat. I need motivation to drive me.

Figure out what makes you tick. Self-exploration can really help you deal with it, and put that depression to sleep.

Check your diet. I've known people who were hypo-glycemic... and once they started an appropriate diet, it made all the difference. Don't eat, drink, or smoke things that can have an effect upon depression.

Don't let people tell you it's a slump, or you need to get over it. They have absolutely no idea of what depression is. Depression is every day, all day, all the time. It sucks. It's a poison that won't go away without you making serious lifestyle changes.

If it is seriously having a negative impact on your life, or thoughts of suicide run through your mind... see a therapist... get medicated. If you have to swallow your pride, you may thank yourself later. I should have probably done this myself, but was too afraid to do it.

[AngelBoy]

Thats what Im doing now, looking on the net, and talking to people. Getting a good girl always helped some, but that always comes back and hurts more than it could have ever helped (one of them cheated on me, by having sex twice, with HER cousin).

And I dont wanna say that Im suicidal, but the thought is always in the back of my mind. I dont think I would ever be able to take my own life, even though Ive thought about it before, but I think everyone has sometime in their life.

Theres not really a therapist I could actually get to anywhere close, and Ive been to the doctor.

Thanks again for the advice everyone, it really does help to know someones gone through the same things.

[InfinatyBPS]

Originally posted by Miscue
Don't eat, drink, or smoke things that can have an effect upon depression.

Lol, I was wondering why you said eat, then I remembered the your brownie story I'll say what i have to say later, but I gotta go now...

[845]

(one of them cheated on me, by having sex twice, with HER cousin).

I think she was not your type anyway.
:) Seriously that is so dot dot dot (...)

[AngelBoy]

Originally posted by 845






I think she was not your type anyway.
:) Seriously that is so dot dot dot (...)

Yea.... that didnt help much with what I was going through either. Up until that point, I had never been as happy with anyone as I was with her though. But now shes pregnant, so I'm really glad I got out of that relationship.

[AngelBoy]

I just want to thank you all for your advice on this, it helps. I talked to mom a few days ago and she seemed to understand, she is going to take me to a doctor soon. We both sat down and talked to my dad tonight, but that just made it worse. Hopefully the doctor can tell me something that will help me get over this.

Thanks again,
Alex

[Miscue]

Good for you!

[behemoth]

Man, you need a doctor, im Bi-polar and Manic-Depressed, it runs in my family

i used to pull 3.8 GPA, then last year it really hit bad, i was getting 1.8 GPA, we knew something was up...now im on Prozac and Lithium to control my moods...

Im doing better but with me, i wouldnt NOT eat, id eat like a mother fing pig, then id be like DAMN IM SO FING FAT, then i get MORE depressed and b4 i knew what i was doing...i was eating again

If you want you can IM me (Its the link in my sig) and we can talk man, i have my good days and my bad. but im pluggin along..

Drop me a IM and we can chill and have a leisurly chat.

Hope ya feel better man,
-Josh

PS. if she cheated with her cousin...you didnt want her in the first place

[Miscue]

Bi-Polar totally sucks dude... I feel bad for everyone who has to go through it. There's nothing minor about minor depression... but major and bi-polar is just really bad.

[behemoth]

Thanks 'Cue...jus' gotta take it one day at a time

[Tunaman]

Grab a fishing pole and some worms and hit the closest lake or body of water you can find. Fish...and think while you are fishing. Think about this great country we are living in, and thank god we get to wake up in a nice warm bed everyday. Think about the unselfish men and women overseas that are being killed as we speak trying to protect all of us from terrorists. You are loved more than you know son...so hang in there and do good things. Help everyone you can find that needs it. Some real sense of accomplishment and integrity can come from helping others. What goes around comes around. You let me know if this helps. or if I can help you out more.