I'm new but hope my situation helps someone.

[zonk]

Hello. I'm just a 17 year old girl. I suffered with major depression for about 3 years. I was on medication of antidepressants for a very long time. A lot of things triggered my depression, bullies, not fitting in, the feeling on helplessness when my sister was getting bullied and the constant judgement I felt at school. High school is not always a happy or safe place. I came out as bisexual in the early months of year 8. Some of my very close mates, didn't believe it or agree. It was very hard and I began to keep to myself because of it. I believed everyone would treat me like that so it took a tonne of courage to tell my parents. They accepted it and so has everyone else I have told. (Well not everyone, but all the people that matter did) I have struggled with selfharm for about 4-5 years and got judged for that immensely. But I am recovering. I am now off my meds and have been for a few months. I am also clean from self harm and have been for nearly a month. I'm not saying that it is easy because Things get really bad sometimes and I drink a lot, but there is a lot more good than bad. It gets really hard but then It gets easier, it truly does. Recovery is possible, its 100% real. Yeah I relapse sometimes, but that will never make me weak. I wanted to share with you guys my story, well a bit of it anyway, in the hopes of helping a least one person. Thanks.

[Croix]

Dear Zonk
Interesting name 🙂 No, you’re not ‘just’ a 17 year old girl, you are special human being because of what you are doing here, and what you have survived, and if you're younger than some - so what.

Thank you for posting, it must have taken a great deal of thought and resolve to do so. Your desire to help others by sharing your experiences is wonderful and very useful – should be more of it

You sound as if you have had your hands full with what life has handed you – not easy. High school can be a horrible place, full of immature savages at times, and being condemned or bullied or seeing someone you love being bullied and being helpless is just about as bad as it gets

The fact that your parents - unlike your so-called mates – accepted your sexual orientation is a really major hurdle out the way. If you have their support, even if they have their own faults, life can become much more tolerable. Hopefully they understand about your self-harm too

Do you have a good relationship with your doctor and other health professionals, with a set of emergency plans, identification and avoidance of trigger situations, coping strategies and long term goals?

I apologize if you already know but on our home page there is a drop down list called The Facts with information regarding depression and self-harm. There may be something there to put things in a fresh light. or give you ideas about coping mere easily.

This site is full of warm people who have walked down just about all of life’s paths and who take pride and enjoyment in easing the journey for those that follow

Please stick around and talk some more, you may find that you are not only helping others, but may in fact find some support for yourself too

My best wishes
Croix

[ahw309]

Hi zonk!!

Welcome to the forum and thank you so much for sharing your story and wanting to help people. I am a 17 year old girl too, and like you, have struggled with depression and self-harm.

Congratulations on coming so far, it is comforting to read positive stories of recovery 🙂

All the best with everything, and I hope to see you around more!