|
Am I depressed or overreacting?
I'm 15 and a sophomore in high school, and this whole time, I felt like the pandemic never really affected me this entire time, but recently I saw a video and in that video a Chinese woman, like me, was saying how she was actually really depressed in high school and never realized, and it made me think. After a few months of the pandemic, I think, is when it really started. I never want to get out of bed in the mornings, but I don't want to go to sleep at night. I stay up really late because I don't want to wake up the next day. I don't want to play tennis or practice the piano or hang out with my best friend. I didn't really keep in contact with any of my school friends except for my best friend who lives down the street. She sometimes drags me out for walks and I enjoy them when I'm on them, but I never want to go. I spend pretty much all day in my room telling my parents that I have a ton of schoolwork, which I have a lot of, but not that much. They don't notice anyways. But I don't want to study or do homework, and even though I've never really like school, I've never had a problem forcing myself to do the work and study before because it mattered to me. I think my grades still matter to me, and on some level, I realize that my future is important, but I just can't bring myself to care anymore. I thought it was just procrastination, but when I think about what will happen if I don't keep my grades up, I don't feel much of anything like I used to. I've always fought with my mom a lot and we never see eye to eye, and my relationship with my brother isn't all that good, but it feels like the slightest thing they do annoys me. Even my tennis coach and my dad have begun to bother me, and I've always been close to them. I'm not failing any classes, but I've been struggling in Algebra II Honors and my teacher recommended me for a lower level next year but I still don't feel anything! I'm disappointed, but if it was a few years ago or heck, even last year, I would have been crushed. I cried from failing one test last year, and I don't feel anything now about a couple of failed tests or low grades, just a passing though of oh, I'll make it up next time. And wow, writing it all out makes it sound really serious but here's the thing. I don't FEEL depressed. My dad still makes me laugh. I still enjoy the little amount of time I spend with my best friend. I still enjoy reading and watching my favorite shows. I enjoy tennis although I can never make myself feel excited to go. I've always hated piano even though I've been taking it for 11 years now, so that's not anything new. I'm also fairly sure that my period is starting soon, so this might just be a huge hormone-induced, emotional rant, but I honestly have no idea. Am I actually depressed? I know I'm not suicidal- I hate pain and I'm kind of terrified of it, actually, but am I right in thinking suicidal and depressed are two separate issues? I feel like I'm overreacting. My parents would probably tell me I'm overreacting. But we've been doing all this stuff about racism against Asians and the pressure that's put on them and I just wanted a second opinion. Whoever reads this and responds, thanks for taking the time out of your day to help some stranger who might not even know what she's talking about.
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
Yoga is a great way to help achieve a number of health benefits in people. It helps people achieve better mental and physical health in people. Doing yoga is a great way to promote better mental health in people. Thus, it can be very effective in helping you with fight issues such as depression, anxiety and stress. One can also join Soma fitness studios for learning better about yoga. Apart from Yoga, the other tips to fight depression are-
sleeping well
talking to your loved ones
reading books
listening to happy songs
<a href='[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
]
Hi there. I'm sorry that you are feeling so low down. While you could be depressed, what you're feeling is more likely described as "anhedonia", or without pleasure. It can be related to depression, or have a number of other possible causes. I'm glad you aren't feeling suicidal, that's good !
There are some possible clues as to why you might be experiencing this lack of interest or pleasure, but its unclear: you don't get along with your mother all that well, which could be another completely different issue. You cite the beginning of the pandemic as the start of your lack of feelings or interest in things, and I do think many of us are experiencing something similar, due to the restrictions we all have to face right now.
You sound like a "good girl", one who has many accomplishments, and a great future! But not all of your activities are of your own choosing, and this, too, may be related in part.
Whatever is causing this, I'd recommend that you speak to your parents about seeing a licensed , professional counselor for a more conclusive diagnostic impression and recommendations.
I would not discount what you are experiencing, either as "over -reacting, or anything else. This is a real situation and bears recognition and some active planned intervention. If you are afraid your parents won't take you seriously, if you ask for help, share this with them. Tell them that I have been a licensed clinical social worker,diplomate, have a ph.d. in psychology, and was in counseling practice for over thirty years. That should carry some weight !
Good luck to you, I hope you feel much better, and soon! (Try to do something to lighten your mood, at least every day, something you, yourself would choose to do. If it were I, it would mean spending time with my cat!) ~ Dr. Stephanie
]
Hi there! There are many reasons why the pandemic and associated restrictions on freedoms we have all taken for granted are very psychologically damaging. We are social creatures. We thrive and feed off interaction with other humans. Education in youth is in many ways the key to our future prospects and there is now a whole bunch who have undoubtedly been disadvantage. They, meaning you, will really have to go that extra mile to catch up. And the last thing we feel up to is making extra effort, right? We all feel futile in the face of a global pandemic. We concentrate on keeping hold of the things we have, not much ambitions and aspirations. Our economies are still reeling. They will take time to recover and return to their pre-covid levels. We are also living in close proximity to, basically, death. This virus has stolen life itself from many, many people. It's the trauma soldiers on a battlefield of war face. And what astronauts face. Everything 'outside the capsule' is a threat at best, at worst fatal. We cannot blank the threats out. They are real. We need to be constantly aware of them and mitigate and mangae them as much as we can. But at the same time not obsess on them to the point where we cannot function. This is all massively psychologically damaging. No living generation has been through anything like this. There are no rules. No precedents. About the fairest thing to say is that in these days "It's OK not to be OK." The pandemic has, of course not created all the insecurities and uncertainties we all face as part of a normal life. Bet even those which it has not directly created, it has amplified, accelerated and brought into sharper focus. It's been tough.It isn't all over yet. Try to stay on your game. Hold out a while longer. Don't let it win. Vaccines are here now. They are the game changer. We're starting to come out of the dark. Our economies will bounce back. The stored but unused potential is there, awaiting it's chance to surge back to life. So are your mental and physical faculties. The drive, the ambitions, the need for direction, meaning, the interaction of relationships. They're stored-up in you. They are on hold. They are perhaps in a sort of coma? But they are surely not dead. You'll get there. Our 'race' will get there. That's the human race.
]
Trust me, you definitely are aware and know what you are talking about. This isn't about boredom or going stir crazy from the pandemic. There's something here that has existed on some level with you before this that is now taking on a front and center role and revealing itself as a bigger issue you can't ignore.
You do sound as though you have depression. Some of the big signs of that is lack of interest in anything where you were before, sleeping patterns drastically changed, no desire, irritability that doesn't match up with a real reason and the crying or constant emotional changes whether menstruating or not. I don't think it has any difference.
If your moods keep changing from feeling elated and then to the point you can't even get out of bed or for a walk that's not normal and cause to get checked out by a doctor and is concerning.
People who have bipolar disorder have constant fluctuating moods from highs to lows and rapidly cycling from one to the other. Not all types of bipolar disorder means a person will have grandiose ideas, visions or delusions and this may or may not be a case where you have this issue with just the moods and going from happy to lowest of lows constantly.
Only a psychiatrist can diagnose this issue. You usually have to get a referral from a family doctor which during a pandemic is hard unless on their roster and even then judging if it's cause to concern during a telephone visit only is tough.
I don't think you are in crisis but if you're feeling too overwhelmed and can't enjoy normal life and have all these moods that are swinging there's no problem at all with checking in with an emergency room because that puts you in the hospital system and they can figure out how to treat the issue if it needs to be.
You have to tell your parents what is going on and that it's not just the pandemic but you in no way shape or form feel normal and have constant moods from happy and elated to lowest level of depression and would like to check this out.
Your friend is doing a great thing by trying to get you out of the house walking. One of the things you can do is make a schedule of doing that with them every day at the same time even if you don't want to as it will help.
Also, try and find something you love be it art, movies, writing, gaming or what really has your interest and do that daily as much as you can to fill time.
The pandemic has been really rough on kids especially those who had mental health issues to begin with. Depression and having suicidal thoughts don't always go hand in hand and are not intertwined so please don't worry or think because you're depressed that it will happen with you.
It can play a factor but definitely is not a part of everybody's experience. In fact, in yours if you are depressed and diagnosed as that or even bipolar medication and therapy treat that and there is zero worry that you can't have a normal life or an even better one than you did before.
I have heard how Asian families can be tough on their kids when it comes to academics. What you have to realize is that you are doing your very best and sometimes falling short or failing is a good thing as it makes you better at something in the long run. Focus on doing your best and don't stress about it. It's all you can really do.
I hope you will tell your parents about this and even go to a hospital ER and ask for help if you can't get it from your normal doctor. It's better to see what the issue is than not acting. You have taken an important first step now. Feel free to inbox me with what you find out.
]
More Questions: |