Recently, my sister and her son just got out of a really violent situation. It was a scary time for all of us. My dad has diabetes and is a 42 year smoker, but he doesn't take care of himself. My grandparents are in a bad situation also. As if that's not bad enough, I'm dealing with my own life.

Literally ALL my friends have gone out/ are going out with someone and I haven't even had a crush. I feel really down on myself, sad and sometimes like I just want to die. I have really fast mood swings too. Could this mean that I am depressed? Or is it just puberty like everyone says?

Sarah

Hi Sarah,
Puberty is a strange and tough time for most of us.
The things you describe aren't really exceptional but suicidal thoughts shouldn't become part of your daily life. If they last for a longer time and you start thinking more and more about it, then you need to be aware for depression. Mood swings (if not mania) are pretty normal and not having had a crush yet (I don't know how old you are) doesn't have to be a problem. Take care and I hope things get better soon.
Jeffie

I think depression can creep up on you, doesn't happen overnight. And then I think it affects your ability to evaluate whether or not you have depression. Feeling like cr*p becomes your way of life, so you don't know any differently!

Can you get a professional screening from a school counselor, or do you have a personal physician who can help you figure it out? I think that is the best way to be sure.

Certainly, having bad events going on around you is going to make you feel bad. Getting depressed over a bad situation doesn't necessarily indicate you are in a medical depression. It's your ability to cope that's important. If you can't cope with normal, every day events (like getting out of bed!), that would be a bad sign.

You didn't say how old you are. I have a 13-year-old daughter, and she gets in bad moods where everything in her life looks terrible--her school work, friends, boyfriends or not having a boyfriend, how she looks, she hate me. You know, life it tough to deal with. It takes a while to get the hang of it. A lot of what teenagers go through are issues that even adults have a difficult time dealing with.

I can understand where it might seem like everyone else has boyfriends and you are left out, doomed to be alone forever. But a lot of what you see happening with kids your own age that you feel left out of, it is just a big show so they look good to other people. They probably have as many if not more problems than you do. They just hide it better is all.