Creeping Depression - "I'm stuck"

[Sirona]

Hi...

I'm 17, turning 18 in two months or so and I think I have depression.

I've been called lazy for as long as I remember. And I've come to acceptit as who I am. But recently I'm starting to think it's something more than that. My parents allways tell me that "I have an amazing memory" but I have a terrible memory and everyone I've met recently has informed me thusly. So I think that i used to have a good memory and it's deteriorated.

I never seem to be modivated to do anything and I think this is where the lazy stigma came from. I have countless television shows and books and whatever I want to watch or read. Countless things I say I'll do. But I don't, I stay inside, playing games on my computer. And even then I've caught myself talking myself out of wanting to play those games on multiple occasions. I can't even get a job. I want to work so bad. I want to be able to support myself but I keep forgetting to apply or talking myself out of it.

Recently there was an open day for a uni I wanted to go to... I didn't go.

I want to tell my parents. I want to be able to say "I'd like to see a psychiatrist"...

But because I'm turning 18 and still don't have a job I'm terrorfied to ask more money from them...

I just don't know what to do...

I need help

[Emmy.]

Hi Sirona.

Firstly welcome to the Beyond Blue Forum, I'm glad you've reached out on here.

It sounds like you are wanting some support to understand and talk about these feelings you've been having. There is a section on the beyond blue website with resources for young people to help with having that talk with your parents or someone you feel safe with. Here is the link below - hopefully there may be some useful tools here for you.

https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/help-someone-you-know

You mentioned that you wanted to go to the uni open day but didn't, is there another open day that you could try again? This time perhaps ask a friend or family member to go with you for support.

Do you have a GP (doctor) that you regularly see and feel you could talk about how you're feeling? They can talk about your options and put together a plan for you and refer you to see a psychologist. The plan allows you to see a psychologist for a certain number of sessions in a year at a rebated (cheaper) amount. I'm sorry but I'm not sure how it works for someone your age but they'll be able to give you all the information you need.

Finally there's a section on the forums for young people, maybe have a read through some of the other threads as they may be helpful to see how other teens have handled similar situations.

Keep chatting with us Sirona. Remember it is a safe and confidential place here.

Here for you. Emmy

[Guest_9809]

Good morning Sirona, and welcome to the BB Forums. Its a big step to reach out for help, so well done to you.

It does sound as though you may be suffering from depression. We are not mental health professionals here and cannot diagnose you. However all the members here have one thing in common - we all have a mental illness and understand what others are going through. So you will find many kind, understanding and supportive people here who will be very happy to offer advice based on their own experiences.

I would suggest you do one thing first, just to give yourself a bit better idea of what Depression is. Can you look up "The Facts" tab from the Beyond Blue website above. Go to "Anxiety & Depression Checklist (K10) and complete the survey there. The results may surprise you. Its also a good idea to take the test a couple of times over the period of a few days. Also read other sections of that area to learn more about anxiety and depression.

If your tests indicate that you have depression (or anxiety) please print out a copy of the test and book an appointment with your GP to discuss it. Taking the test with you will give you an easy way of bringing up the subject with your GP.

Your GP will be able to suggest ways to help you, of which there are many. They may also put you on a mental health care plan which would enable you to have up to 10 Medicare subsidised psychological visits per year. A psychologist will work with you to provide tips and tools to help you manage and overcome your depression.

In the meantime, it is important that you continue to do things which bring you pleasure. Do you have any friends who you can get out and about with? Do you play or enjoy attending any sports events? How about music - do you play any instruments, or enjoy listening to music? Do you have any pets, a dog for example that you can take for a walk? Exercise is important when overcoming depression - do you have a gym nearby that you may enjoy attending?

I hope some of what I have said is helpful to you Sirona. I would really welcome hearing back from you. And I expect some young people like yourself will likely respond to your post throughout the day also. I'm not young - I'm an oldie in my 50's, but understand where you're at.

Please keep connecting here, as I think you will find it helpful to talk about what you are going through. The site is safe and your anonymity is protected through moderators.

Taurus

[Neil_1]

Hi there Sirona,

And like Taurus, I too would like to welcome you to Beyond Blue.

I’ve gotta say, that Taurus’s response to you was awesome. A lot of what I would have said, was provided to you in Taurus’s response.

A couple of other things that I thought I’d raise.

Firstly, I wouldn’t be listening to what your friends say, regarding your memory. YOU know your memory as do your parents. You’re also 17yo, and so I think someone of that age group would be very good with memory and taking things in and being able to recall them. So I would be listening more to what your parents say, as well as relying on your own ability. You know yourself better than anyone else.

Also with regard to obtaining a job, and being keen for that … that is a great way to be. Enthusiasm for this can be a very handy thing to have and be key to helping to assist in obtaining a job. To me, you’ve got a very positive attitude and that is something you should feel very proud about and this will be something that will help you with many things in the future.

But with your over-riding feelings, I think it would be best to see what assistance you can get … and I also do get a feel that you and your parents do have a good relationship – just from how you’ve described things. If that is the case, I’m sure they’ll be also very supportive of you.

Would love to hear from you again.

Neil