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Depression
I am becoming increasingly depressed.
I am dealing with a lot of difficulties at home - my Mother hasn't been at work for several months because she has bipolar and tried to overdose at New Year. My sister has serious anger problems, which means that she is constantly violent and rude. My Dad is finding the strain very difficult and wants to leave.
These problems have been going on for years, but around the time that it started to get much worse, I met my ex boyfriend. He was like my security blanket and helped me to feel happier about everything. We split up a month ago, leaving me completely heartbroken.
On top of this, I have important exams, which are key to my future, starting in about a week.
I have developed severe insomnia, which I visited the doctor for. He assessed me for depression, but after I mentioned the break-up with my boyfriend, he decided that all my symptoms were just due to me missing my ex and being unhappy about the split. He diagnosed me with sleeping pills and I suffered bad side effects and they only made me feel worse.
Now I'm not sure what to do. I have a brilliant support network in my friends, but I am constantly snappy and defensive and I know I can't expect them to put up with it forever. Despite having such good friends, I am very lonely and feel like I can't confide in anyone.
My parents know I'm unhappy and are doing their best to support me, but the problems I mentioned previously mean that it just isn't enough.
I need advice on what I should do next, because all this is proving very difficult to deal with.
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
I would say that your depression is due to situational factors, and from the sound of things the events that taken place in your life are things you can do absolutely noting about. It's normal to feel saddened over a break up, we have no control over how people feel about us. It's also normal for anyone in your situation to feel saddened with your family life. But what can you do about your mother and sister? Nothing, except praying for them to get better, and for your father to be a more patient person. I wonder if your sleepiness is due to you fretting over what you can do to make your current situation better. My best advice is for you to find someone you can talk to and get a lot away from your chest. Perhaps a counselor at school? I would say that besides airing out your grievances, you can also work with a counselor to learn to cope more effectively with painful situations that are beyond your control.
Good luck.
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First you have to get through those tests.
Did you return to the doctor or call
following the sleeping pill side effects?
I'm not advocating the use of them long
term but they do make several different
kinds and a different one may help you
get some rest at least until after exams.
You might want to try simply sleeping with
your head at the foot of the bed, opposite
of the way you usually sleep. Sounds like
it wouldn't work, but surprisingly it does.
Study with friends or at the library, just
anywhere there isn't tension. I wish you
well on your exams.
It sounds like your mom and your sisters
problems have been around a while. They
may be escalating at the moment...bad
timing. Your recent breakup probably is
making it much worse. Your down in the
dumps and now you have to contend with
them as well. I wish I had a magic
solution for helping you deal with them.
You probably no better than I how to do
that! Their problems aren't going away
as you know. I assume your mom is taking
meds for her problem? If not she needs too.
If she is perhaps its time for a check-up
and a re-evaluation of her meds. If you
take anything long term you do build a
tolerance for it. Same with your sister.
Maybe thats something you can talk to Dad
about.
Talk to your Dad. He probably knows what
you're going through. Hes in the same boat.
It would probably help him cope knowing
you understand and are at your wits end
too.
Friends are great. They know whats going
on in your life and will take a lot. Try
to make an effort not to crab at them to
much. Its easy to do. We always hurt and
lash out at those closest to us. Probably
because we know they care and aren't
going anywhere. If you find yourself being
short with them, stop. Apologize and let them
know your in a funk & don't mean to lash
out.
Get through those exams and then
re-evaluate your situation. I think they
are adding stress to an already
stressful situation. With luck it will
ease up after your done with them.
After exams you need to get out there and
start socializing again. Find yourself a
new guy. I know thats probably the last
thing you want to do right now but, trust
me. Nothing heals a broken heart like a
new love interest. Its going to happen.
You will be happy again despite everything.
If you don't bounce back a week or so after
exams, see your doctor again about the
depression. A certain amount of it is
perfectly normal for teens. It just
shouldn't last months.
Very best of luck with those exams.
I KNOW you will do well. :)
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