Hey Sam, Recently I developed signs of anxiety and depression and I honestly don’t feel good anymore. Everyday I struggle to get out of bed because there’s always a lingering thought in my head saying that “Today is going to be a horrible day.” I’m constantly judging myself, it’s like i’m splitting into two different people. One side is just normal me, but the other side is always telling me that i’m a failure and that i’m alone. I hate feeling like this, I wish I was back to normal.
Sam
Hi there,
Sometimes people go through short periods where they don't feel good. This can last a few weeks or even a few months. This is normal and might be triggered by things going on around you. Sometimes however these feelings carry on for a longer time and can affect you all day. This can be the mental health issue called depression.
Almost everyone will feel depressed from time to time. Everyday life can make us feel down or drained - and we might not feel very positive. It might be difficult to tell the difference between when you feel depressed as an emotion and when you might suffer from depression. Only a doctor can really diagnose depression but there are signs you can look out for.
One sign is that you might not feel anything - good or bad. If someone has been depressed for a long time they can become numb to emotions and just not feel very much. This lack of feeling can be really hard because we need emotions to be able to relate to the world and those around us. If you can't relate then you can feel very lonely, which makes depression worse.
Our feelings affect our thoughts and actions - so if you feel low, this can mean what you think and do can become negatively impacted as well. When you wake up in the morning and think that the day is going to be horrible - this is probably because you feel depressed but will also make your feelings worse. It's a difficult cycle to break but it can get better.
The first thing to do is to try to consciously change the things you do and think. Just like your feelings can affect your thoughts, it can work the other way round as well. Forcing yourself to think positive things can make it easier for you to do make positive changes in your life, which can help you to feel better. This is something you can try starting now - it takes practice and patience but the more you do it, the better chance you have of feeling better.
Sometimes this might not be enough and you may need more help. This is where you can see your doctor. Your GP can get you different kinds of help and support. It's free to see your doctor and you can make an appointment to see them either with your parents/carers or by yourself if you want. You don't need an adult to go with you if you prefer to do it yourself.
Our counsellors are here for you anytime you feel down and want to talk. You can also share your thoughts with other young people on our message boards. I'm glad you chose to write to me and talk about this.
Take care.
Sam
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