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Is this normal?
I am a 17 year old girl, and ever since I was 14, I felt like I have been falling down a hill. It seems like it gets worse month by month. I feel bad about myself a lot, but I randomly feel better. But then a week later I am back where I started. I have no warning about when I will feel bad again. I want to know if so much pain is normal for a teenager.
I used to cut when I was 15, but I do it extremely rarely now. Starting this past March, I wasn't eating properly because I was trying to lose weight. I got down to eating between 500 and 1200 calories a day, depending on the day. When I was 16, I almost killed myself, and once this year I tried alcohol for the first time.
It just seems like I am falling and being so much worse than I ever was. I just want to know if feeling like this is normal (even if what I did isn't normal) or if I should get this checked out. (If that is the option, do you have any idea what might be wrong with me?)
Thank you for all your help in advance, and I look forward to reading your input.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
You need to see a psychiatrist. What you are describing isn't normal. You mention that you are having moods that can change daily, weekly, instantly and without warning and always end in a crash.
This has me concerned for you as that's often a sign of bipolar disorder. If your feeling bad about yourself and then elated and back to crappy again in an endless cycle this could be your problem.
If you feel suicidal, think of death and want to cut yourself on top it could be part of that plus another mental disturbance. If you feel elated, empowered or have any irrational thoughts, racing thoughts, anything remotely delusional go to the emergency room.
As far as trying alcohol goes it's probably normal experimentation teens get into. If it's out of character completely than I would be concerned as people with bipolar or other illnesses do a lot of out of character things.
While drinking is small potatoes if coupled with other things you'd never do if not ill it gives you an idea something's not right.
You need to tell someone be it a psychiatrist or trusted adult that you have tried to kill yourself recently. There's no buts about this nor shame or embarrassment. They may be angry or react negatively at first but it's something you cannot hide.
You need medical intervention. The cutting, moods, trying to end your life all add up to a mounting crisis. You need to see a mental health professional about this. You can't skirt that as there's one think you NEVER screw with and that's your physical and mental health.
Be bloody honest and tell your parents and the psychiatrist that you'll see about the cutting, moods, everything you stated here, suicide bid and the not eating properly and how much you were or were not eating. It's all important.
You should go to an emergency room and tell them all of this and see an on call psychiatrist. This is indeed an emergency as all of the things you mentioned added together indicates you could be headed for a crisis. It's better to find out how serious this is than not. They see people all the time for these symptoms so it's not going overboard.
The psychiatrist will either send you home with medication and monitor you, say you're fine (which I can tell you aren't) or keep you for 72 hours to figure out how to tackle what seems to be going on with you.
I've been there with similar circumstances to yours (minus suicidal) twice in '03 and '04 in hospital for bipolar disorder and delusions. That's why I'm urging you to see the psychiatrist on call at your nearest emergency room and get this seen to for peace of mind and or to be healed.
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Most teenage girls (such as myself) go through similar experiences and emotional rollercoasters as the ones you've described. I'm afraid it IS normal, though that definitely doesn't make it enjoyable.
If you feel your mood swings and negative thinking are ruining your life - and are worse than others', - it may be worth visiting your doctor or GP. They can assess whether you've got any kind of chemical imbalances that may have caused this depression, and if that's the case, they will be able to help you to feel better.
Even if you don't think it's that bad, it may be an idea to see your GP anyway - especially as you said it's been going on since you were 14.
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I answered your email, please check your spam mail too if you don't see it in your inbox.
First, I am going to tell you that I am so sorry that you are going through this, girl and that I want to help you, as these should be the best friends of your life!
I am not able to say if it's normal or not, but I can say that I am seeing more of it on a daily basis. I really do think that you should get this checked out. Something is going on internally with you and I respect you for identifying it and seeking help even to the point of asking if you should get it checked out. This shows me strength within you! So, this tells me you can get through this thing, with help girlfriend. No one on this site can say what's wrong unless they are doctors, and see you. Most will say depression. I am not going to say depression, because it could be anger, frustration, confusion - all of these things help lead up to depression but without really knowing the real root of it,it's hard to say what it is. It could even be a mental disorder, requiring medication. It could be something hereditary even. I will say this, I will give you my email address,you can email me and tell me everything you want to get out, I don't care how long it is, I will read it and answer you, I promise you. Sophia_pettus@yahoo.com
My advice, is talking first with your parents to let them know that you're going through doing, asking them to make you an appointment for help. Next, you can send me an email message and let it out!! and we can talk from there too. I will be here for you cause you need someone there for you in addition to your parents, doctor and/or counselor.
I am also praying for you as soon as I post this response to you. Again, I am asking and supporting you in getting this checked out miss lady so that you can smile again and realize the world is yours and it's waiting on you to grab a hold of it!
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hey girl :]
well it really depends, maybe your just depressed, did something happen that hurt you emotionly? and if its not normal maybe you have a bipolar problem.
like im 14, and i used to cut myself, and ive been really depressed, and its wierd like that too, one day i'll be crying and just wanna die, and the next i'll be laughing and being normal.
so it could be one of thoese two, sorry thou, i dont like when people are sad or hurt! i hope i helped and that you feel better soon, just keep your head up high :]]
- Maitte
(14/female)
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