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Do i have depression?

Callie_F
Community Member
I’ve been really curious about both my mental and emotional health lately. I don’t know whether i have depression or anxiety. I have completed the checklist and i’ve gotten high as the result but i’m not sure what to do.

This has been going on since mid end last year till today. I’ve had complications with relationships, friendships and family. I have tried finding multiple things that would make me happy for the specific issue but i dont think that has been the solution. I’ve also been distancing from both myself and people. I feel sad and depressed majority of the time. I often cry myself to sleep, overthink about both past and present issues.

Physically, I’ve been having troubles sleeping, i don’t enjoy the things i usually enjoy/ lack of energy and I’ve stopped taking care of myself which have caused me both internal and external problems.

Regarding school, i’ve been losing confience with that too. I’ve been skipping and i don’t know whether i will achieve what i want. I stress about getting things done. My grades have dropped a ton.

I don’t know who i can talk to, i’ve been losing self confidence. I have lost a lot of friends meaning i can not talk to anyone from school nor trust anyone to talk to.
I want to tell my Mum what i’ve been going through and how we can perhaps solve the issue but i have two thoughts going on in my mind if i tell her. 1 being if i told her it would cause her more stress since she has severe depression. On the other hand, if i told her i keep thinking she wouldn’t be understanding and she might think im exaggerating because she’s always known me as that bright happy person i used to be.
I don’t know whether this is depression or not since I’ve never experienced it. However if it is, what can i do?

1 Reply 1

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi Callie,

welcome to beyond blue.

Was the checklist you completed the K10 test at beyond blue? It would have given you a recommendation at the end of the "test". For example when I did it, it suggested that I have a chat with my GP. One thing you could do is have a chat with your school counsellor?

If you did tell your mum, there is always the chance she might understand and look for help for you also? Parents will worry about their children. And it also depends on what or how much you tell them.

One thing I noticed is that depression and anxiety can be symptoms of something else. For me my ferritin levels were very high and shown as depression and anxiety. My nephew (in primary school) has a low iron count which has a similar effect, and it showed in his school work and was also noticed by his teachers as well. If there is some teacher you feel that you can talk to, there is another option. But here are some links that you also use...

Headspace, ages 12-25, also have a free online 1:1 chat here
headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

Kids Helpline, anyone under the age of 25, have a free 1:1 chat here
kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling and a 24/7 number 1800 55 1800

Good luck with everything and if you want to chat, it will pop up in my feed and I can reply. Finally know there are many ways to reach your goals. Me... I went to TAFE after high school and then went to Uni. My son went to Uni before finding out it was not for him.

What did/do you want to do?

Tim