Ask the Therapist
13 Year Old with Depression
I am 13 years old. I think that I am depressed....... I am getting bad grades at school,
I'm not interested in any of my old interests anymore, my appetite has changed,
I am having sleeping problems, I feel unwanted and like nobody loves me, I feel like
I am hopeless or useless, and worst of all I have been having suicide thoughts. my parents notice that
I am "sad" but they don't really understand. and I am too afraid to tell them how
I really feel and that I need help. they would probably freak out or something. that is why
I am emailing you, to see if you think that I might have a chemical depression or something like that. well
I really hope that you email me back because I would really appreciate it. thanks.
What you describe certainly sounds like depression. And your idea about it being chemical might be right on target, but you know I can't say one way or the other. Anyway, with all the hormonal changes your body is going through, that could be one possibility or there could be a number of other things. Do everybody a favor and talk to your parents. I'm not saying that because I'm an adult and I think you should "do the right thing". I'm saying that because they are there to help...yes, they will freak out, but that's their job -- they're parents. That's not your problem. Your thing is to get help and get well. One of the hardest things for anyone to do is ask for help and you already started by writing to me. You aren't going to get in trouble and they won't be mad at you...ask them to help you...you might be surprised.
