Hello, Im 17 and I've been going through a tough patch for about a year although the past 6 or so months I have felt terrible.However hard I look I just can't seem to find anything particularly good with my life. Even when there is nothing wrong I still feel low. Everything and anything will start me off crying. For example, I spilt a jar of coffee over and It made me cry. Everything builds up from the moment I wake up and whatever goes wrong, as simple as it is, makes me go off on one however silly it is. I'm constantly aggitated and restless. I'm anxious and always have that feeling of dread deep down. Whenever I'm alone I feel like its hopeless and nothing will get better. At night I just cry, and feel down. I usually have about 3 hours sleep a night even though I try my hardest to have a good nights sleep. No matter what I do I just always feel down.
I'm not close with my family, I can't seem to do anything right or make them even the teeniest bit proud of me. I have 3 younger sisters which occupies all their time. I did have several very close friends who I trusted so much. However the closest one who I was practically sisters with did stuff behind my back with my long-term boyfriend a few months ago and because of that I just can't seem to trust anyone. It was very complicated but in the end I simply forgave the friend and the boyfriend finished with me, but made sure to destroy every bit of self confidece I had with it. I have other friends but however hard I try to see how brilliant they are, they just arnt like the best friend I lost. I feel so lonely all the time and have absolutly no-one to talk to. I'm surrounded by so many friends but I'm too embarrased to tell anyone I need help. No-one sees me like this, because I always put on a smile but the moment Im in my room the tears come rolling out. I'm not saying this is what has made me depressed because I felt like this before, even when I was happy, but these events have definatly made it worse. Nothing seems to be getting better and this mood is getting worse and worse. Am i depressed or is this just a teenage phase, and if i am depressed what should i do about it? What will a Doctor do If i go and tell him?

Hi. Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time. Yes, you could be depressed or having another problem such as "hormones running amuk". Regardless of what the cause of your symptoms, seeing your family doc is definitely the best thing to do. He will almost certainly be able to tell you what the problem is and how to correct it. Fox

Be wary of blaming too much on hormones. Too many teenages see too much and are unable to get help because it's always dismissed as hormones. I can identify completely with what you're saying, I was in the middle of a very low patch when I lost my very dear friend and a lot of others with her. We mended bridges eventually but there's always the elephant in the room.
I would definitely go and see someone about this, but you have to trust that person to tell them everything they need to hear to work out what's wrong. I agree a professional is probably best simply because they have the best idea and are obliged to be confidential. Are your family aware you're having problems at all?

Are you on any vitamins? If you take some really good ones, it will help to build you up. You also need to walk a lot and exercise. I'd do this outside in a safe place. Maybe it will also make you tired enough to sleep better. When I don't get enough sleep, I'm always close to tears and it also makes me irritable.

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. Your high school years should be great ones. Full of fun and friends. I know it doesn't always work out that way especially with different relationships between friends or so-called friends.

There is a lot going on at your age with school, tests, drugs everywhere, fitting in.

Getting enough sleep will help. Read some positive books too. You may try drinking some milk and eating some toast and peanut butter or something before going to bed. Do some things to pamper yourself. Take a warm bubble bath.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love,

Jecca1