Thread: Am i depressed?

Seeker, I think we have a lot in common . . .

I've yet to see any scientific evidence supporting this "phase" that I keep hearing about. As far as I'm concerned, until I do, it's still just an old wives tale. This is not me saying that there isn't any, and, admittedly, I haven't attempted to seek any, but after describing problems to some others, some have said that it was a phase, while others said that this 'phase' is nonexistent. I would love some reading material to keep me busy if anyone has any links

I've felt things similar to you, TC. I've seen professionals on the matter. The ones who only spoke to me and not my parents as well thought I was depressed. The one who spoke to me and my parents thinks that I'm not depressed, but there are still outstanding external issues for the way I feel.

Doing better in school, working out, getting outside are all good ways of feeling better. If you're depressed, you won't do them, and even if you can keep up with the routine for a week or two, you'll probably end up dropping it like I have. If you still actually give a **** enough about life to keep on with school and try to make yourself better by your own devices, then this is, perhaps, just a phase. The important thing is staying away from home, if it's an issue. Or stay away from the friends that bring you down. Some people have 'poisonous' personalities and they're just so down all the time that they take you down with them.

A lot of people talk about how they wish they had never done the things they did when they were younger. I have a lot of regret because I never got the opportunity to do those things. I look around me and I see all these people younger than me who have been places and done things while I've been alone in my room playing video games and posting on message boards. If you have an opportunity to try something, and think you can do it without developing any harmful habits, don't hold yourself back. You might end up regretting it later (try to avoid hardcore drugs, however; no good really comes from those..).

My advice: Try to make things better for yourself but doing some of the things mentioned previously. If you lack the drive to stick with them, end up quitting because you don't care, or quit because you're afraid that if you feel better, you'll feel obligated to actually live life (yes, I've actually felt that), then you might want to see a school counselor (some actually do care; It's about getting lucky with which one you get, and the time out of class doesn't hurt too much either ) or talk to your parents about it. Parents aren't always very receptive, though (my dad cussed me out and insulted my guidance counselor for even suggesting that I talk to them about it).

But if you're going to do anything about it, do it soon. I quit caring about school and doing my schoolwork back in 5th grade. I'm 18 now and I've just recently dropped out of high school and do other things just to get my head out of my body for a little bit so I don't have to feel the things I feel or think the things I think all day. Don't wait around until you get to the point I'm at. Make sure this is just a passing feeling before you write it off as a phase.

This is how I feel about this. At one point in everybody's life, they reach a point in early adulthood where they get lost in themselves. They don't know where they are going with their lives and don't feel like they are achieving anything useful. This usually leads a spiral of self pity and depression as well as nervous break-downs. I've been through this in my life, and I know just how painful that uselessness feeling can be. I found my solace in music. I beat all my sorrow, anger and other bad feelings into my guitar. I have learned not to care of what other think of me. After changing my feelings on life, I have no reason to be sad. I have a happy marriage, I love every second of playing guitar, I love caring for my salt water tank, and I am glad I didn't spiral into committing suicide. I would try to find something that makes you happy, and use it as your outlet to vent. You will feel much better. You might not notice it at first, but keep at it, and you will feel better. I hope this helps.

yes ...

Well to add i feel alot better now but i still get the anger now and then.

A bit of sucking up always does the trick.

Originally Posted by The White Rabbit

A bit of sucking up always does the trick.

?? wah

I really think you'll be fine. I'm the same age and go through the same stuff now. I've had days where I had so much rage that I almost lost control and nearly hurt my sister's cat. I don't mean I wanted to haul off and hit it, I almost started beating it to death (stuff you'd hear about early serial killers :X). I don't really like the sound of that myself, and that is why I'm glad I managed to control it, but it does get really hard. Don't get yourself into thinking you are depressed. Because if you do, you will inevitably become depressed as a result of thinking you are. I also have problems with seeing random people and becoming angry for apparently no reason. I make up things that I hate about them and talk about it in my head. There have been times though where I eventually talk to these people for some reason or another and I end up liking them just fine.

Now, not to make anyone angry, but I have noticed a trend in this topic. A majority of the males in the topic have related this to a phase that most of us are going/have gone through, and the few women that have posted have said that they think it is depression. I'm not saying that it's impossible for him to be depressed, that you're wrong, or even that he could even have some problem like bipolar, but I think that since you haven't experienced testosterone-induced fits of rage first hand, the only thing you have to go by is what has happened to you (which is completely understandable). Which is, as you posted, parents or others thinking that it is just hormonal. I've got no idea what it's like to be a female during the adolescent years, but I do know what it is like to be male, and so do the other males who have posted. To be honest, it sounds just like what I am going through. Also, I may sound like a hypocrite saying this, since I am also relating it to what has happened to me, but I'm just giving myself more credibility since it's given that we are the same gender, and the other guys have the same notions as I do.

And let's not forget, everyone gets depressed sometimes. I have had small outbreaks with it, no doubt related to some kind of stress; but, I've never let it affect me that long, as I try to go out and do something... anything to get over it.

Originally Posted by Dreamhope11

Hi im 16 tommorow and im not even excited, recently i have been getting headaches and generaly feel so horrible, school stresses me so much. Somedays i woule swear at random people, i feel as if i hate everyone and sometimes when im by myself i just cry at how depressed i feel. I used to be happy and the joke sort of guy now get random moments of rage and hit things. I just feel wrong... : (

I had that when I was 15. After joining the wrestling team, most of it went away. Get active, put yourself in something competitive, make a goal for yourself.

Originally Posted by Ostego

And so is fapping. Don't forget pot.

Now now, thats the kind of suggestive talk that begins serious drug addictions.
Pot should only be used for fun, not for emotional escape because when you crash from a high you feel even shittier than you did when you started

Originally Posted by snoop

A majority of the males in the topic have related this to a phase that most of us are going/have gone through, and the few women that have posted have said that they think it is depression. I'm not saying that it's impossible for him to be depressed, that you're wrong, or even that he could even have some problem like bipolar, but I think that since you haven't experienced testosterone-induced fits of rage first hand, the only thing you have to go by is what has happened to you

uhhhh, im not a girl, but ive dated a few of them. its called PMS and it will eat you alive. lol please dont hurt us

I consider myself depressed. I am not diagnosed but I am pretty sure. What made it more bearable was I started working out. I think that is the best way for me because it has physical exertion which helps and also there are the endorphins. Other outdoor activities can backfire (at least for me) because I would end up being horrible at it and being more self-conscious and that makes me hate myself more. So working out is a personal thing with few goals to fail. Lucid dreaming is dicey because failing at it can make you feel worse. However, if you are what you consider successful or average at LDing, it can be a FANTASTIC escape.

Probably similar to your situation, but I just got out the darkest time of my life just months back. I didn't know how bad depression was until I got into it myself, but it hit me hard.

There can be, in fact, a cure. Well, it worked for me mentally at least. Simple as this: try something new that interests you. Like the posters in this thread said: a hobby. To me, doing something new pushed that depression away; I don't know why, but it did.

Make sure you are keeping in touch with your friends as well. Also, true friends are the best friends. Don't hang out with people who don't truly value you as a friend. Hang out with friends who give a damn about you, I can tell you straight-up about that. You'll notice if they don't, and that can get you very angry at times.

Just do something new that you'll like. No, I'm not talking about drugs, but hobbies. Outdoor hobbies are even better. Hell, it's the summer time, go swimming with your friends.

Thanks for all the replies everyone its much appreciated beleive me.

Originally Posted by Dreamhope11

Thanks for all the replies everyone its much appreciated beleive me.

Look, I suffer from depression and I'm being medicated, and I've made therapy, all that stuff.

Normally everybody has some kind of advice, like "go out", "do something you enjoy", "be with friends"... things like that. The problem arises when something you loved to do normally (cinema and yoga were my thing), starts to be somekind of an obligation.

You may not be depressed, It can be just a phase, but if you're not sure after talking to your family/friends (talk normally helps) seek for professional help. Sometimes just the fact that we are taking our states of mind seriously can change them for better.

You're young, you have such a long a life to live, so many things to feel and experience!!

If today sucks, there's allways tomorrow to start over

Welcome to being a teen! :

I was kind of a piss off kid for a few months when I was 15 but I got over it.

But yea , find a hobby or something. Volunteering at a animal shelter help me get out of it.

As you can see, you're gonna get a lot of different responses and advice to your question...I'll add mine to the list. Yes you sound depressed to me, in fact classically depressed--loss of interest in stuff you used to like--not able to enjoy stuff you normally would (birthday)--feeling angry and not knowing why, or having a reason to be angry--crying when you're alone. Is this part of being 16, "hormonal" etc? Perhaps. My question is, how long has this been going on? Is it sudden? Anything trigger it? (rejection, being teased) Feeling "down" or "blue" from time to time is normal, but if it lasts for weeks on end and the things that usually work to bring you out of a sadness don't work (exercise or being active, hanging out here, LD'ing etc) you may want to talk with somebody. Doesn't have to be a professional even. Find a trusted friend and vent, somebody who won't necessarily give advice, but just listen and BE with you, and accept your feelings and situation without judgement. Journaling is also a great way to work through sadness or depressed feelings. Just get it out onto paper (or computer) without censoring yourself. Do it on a regular basis and over time you can look for patterns and learn how your head works, and see if certain things you try to do to feel better help...even a little. And if you continue to be stuck, or develop a plan to hurt yourself or somebody else, speak with a professional. If they are worth their salt they will keep what you tell them private, and help you work out whats going on and keep you safe while you figure it out together.

Originally Posted by Wavygravy

As you can see, you're gonna get a lot of different responses and advice to your question...I'll add mine to the list. Yes you sound depressed to me, in fact classically depressed--loss of interest in stuff you used to like--not able to enjoy stuff you normally would (birthday)--feeling angry and not knowing why, or having a reason to be angry--crying when you're alone. Is this part of being 16, "hormonal" etc? Perhaps. My question is, how long has this been going on? Is it sudden? Anything trigger it? (rejection, being teased) Feeling "down" or "blue" from time to time is normal, but if it lasts for weeks on end and the things that usually work to bring you out of a sadness don't work (exercise or being active, hanging out here, LD'ing etc) you may want to talk with somebody. Doesn't have to be a professional even. Find a trusted friend and vent, somebody who won't necessarily give advice, but just listen and BE with you, and accept your feelings and situation without judgement. Journaling is also a great way to work through sadness or depressed feelings. Just get it out onto paper (or computer) without censoring yourself. Do it on a regular basis and over time you can look for patterns and learn how your head works, and see if certain things you try to do to feel better help...even a little. And if you continue to be stuck, or develop a plan to hurt yourself or somebody else, speak with a professional. If they are worth their salt they will keep what you tell them private, and help you work out whats going on and keep you safe while you figure it out together.

A professional will just dope him up on drugs , reguardless if its teenage hormones or actual
depression. Anti-depressiants is given out like candy now.

Originally Posted by Halocuber

A professional will just dope him up on drugs , reguardless if its teenage hormones or actual
depression. Anti-depressiants is given out like candy now.

I agree with you, but that's normally what happens with psychiatrists. If a pacient goes to a psicologist the aproach is different. In my case I was medicated after a year of psicotherapy just because the treatment by itself wasn't enought. I wouldn't get out of bed.

Each case is a dif one and people shouldn't go to a pro because of the fear of being medicated. There's no obligation to that and there are dif opinions within the medical society.

Oops*

I meant "people shouldn't avoid goingo to a pro because of the fear of..."

Au contraire, my friend. I am a professional, and I (and many others like me), see human to human connection as the best vehicle to help mitigate suffering. Granted, there are instances where drugs can and should be used, but most certainly not as a matter of course.

Start working out. It can do wonders

hahahahaha it's true.

but anyway, everyone that says nothing is wrong is right. I was the same way.
...I would just have random fits of crying, or I would look for things I knew would be sad.

which is when I got really into dramedies...

now I'm rambling.

If you ask it then you are.