AboutNeil Expertise I am a male high school student who has gone through depression. You can trust me. Feel free to express yourself. Do not hold back.
*Note: Depressed adults should seek more professional advice.
Experience I am a 17 year old male. I have gone through depression. Fortunately, I have overcome the pain and suffering and realized the beauty of life.
Education/Credentials I am currently in 12th grade in high school.
Question Hello, I'm an 18 year old female with a really rocky home life. My life at home has been bad for as long as I can remember with verbal/physical abuse. Recently (about a year ago) I started displaying symptoms of depression (lack of interest, tiredness, feeling "numb"). I started seeing a therapist that decided to put me on the drug Effexor (which I am not thrilled about). How do I know that what I have is because of my home life or an actual depression?
Answer Hi Claire,
I believe you have moderate to heavy depression induced by many things, but your home life is certainly a significant factor that contributed. The good news is that you have started a new life or are about to start a new and independent life. The depression is under your control, but the experience of taking in abuse will enrich your perspective of life and its ability to victimize and individual. Be thankful you have depression. Once you overcome the mental illness, you will appreciate and embrace life a whole lot more.
Verbal and physical abuse should be immediately reported to the authorities. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the drug because I know nothing about it.
There are a couple of things you can do to control your depression (some of these yield immediate relief while others are long term solutions):
-Immediate relief: exercise (one of the best, if not the best, things you can do to help with depression)
-Spend time with a bunch of friends rather than just a few close ones so you won't be emotionally affected if one "turns against" you.
-Participate in churches, communal activities, volunteer work, or something. To help promote this, I am starting to open a nonreligious church to help people bond and connect together for lasting happiness and guidance to problems, and I would be happy to invite you when it is created if you would like (may take several months though).
-Talk with friend(s) that you trust and know can relate to you about your depression, if you are not comfortable talking about it with more adults.
-See this video: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-be-happy-2
-Write down or type your thoughts and create a journal or book.
-Change the music you listen to something more happy if this is causing you depression.
Be smart and aware about your depression. For example, if you usually get depressed at night, commit yourself to exercising at night rather than in the day.
