I don’t know what to do

[Guest_59073492]

Hello, I’m aged 12 and I’m unsure what to do about my current situation. I’ve been slightly depressed lately, crying mainly every day and I’m thinking about self harm. I can’t trust much people and I’ve only told two people about this situation, none of them can help. If I tell my parents they’ll get worried. Im also suffering from AFRID. Im not sure if it is that yet, I’ve diagnosed myself. My mother is starting to notice and I don’t want anyone to know.

Please help me through this

[indigo22]

Hello,

Welcome and thank you for having the courage to reach out to us.

I am so sorry to hear how you are feeling, I began my journey with depression at about your age and I would like to help you not make the same mistakes that I did.

You are too young to be trying to handle this on your own, you need support from people who love you. If you have a good relationship with one or both of your parents, please let them know what is happening so they can find someone to help you. It is part of their role to look after you, whatever the problem is. Think of it this way, if you had a broken bone, would you tell them so they could get you some help? This is no different to any other physical problem, it requires treatment to get better. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to recover.

If you really don't feel you can open up to your parents just yet, I am adding a couple of helpline numbers that will be available to talk with and get some advice. Please put these numbers in your phone (if you have one) so that you have access to real time help when you need it.

Kids Helpline - available 24/7 up to 25 years of age - 1800 55 1800 (any topics)

Butterfly Foundation - available 8.00am to Midnight (AEST) 7 days - 1800 334 673 (eating disorders)

You deserve a better life than you are currently living, so please reach out to someone who can help you get back on the road to recovery.

I will be here as well if you wish to talk further.

Take good care of yourself,

indigo 💜

[Summer Rose]

Hello and welcome to the forum

My daughter was 13 when she began to feel unwell and like you she didn’t want anyone to know. 
She kept her situation hidden until she became quite unwell and was having trouble getting to school.

I stayed home from work to look after her and it took her three days to tell me that she was hearing a voice in her head saying “awful things”. 
She said she was scared to tell me because she felt like a freak and was ashamed. This very nearly broke my heart. I explained to her that anyone can fall ill, at any time, but people can also get better.

We were in our GP’s office the next day and this was the start of a journey to finding out that she had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and engaging the right doctors to help her.

I was so glad that she told me. Yes, I was worried. But I was more worried when she kept me in the dark. And I was so proud to have such a brave daughter and to be able to help get well.

Without the right professional care, I know she would never have gone on to graduate high school, go to university, travel the world and now be successfully working and living with her fiancé. You see, from my personal experience, I know that mental health conditions don’t usually go away or get better on their own. Instead, when people don’t seek help, they often needlessly suffer and the illness affects the quality of their lives. 
Life can get better for you. But when we’re unwell, we all need doctors to help us heal. Right now, in your life, it’s your mum and dad’s job to help you get the professional help you need. I really encourage you to let them in. 

Kind thoughts to you