Nothing seems to help, it's hopeless

I'm 14 and depressed. I self harm frequently, sleep to much, eat too little, and everything makes me want to either cry or have some sort of panic attack. My parents have been making me see a therapist for a little over a year for different problems. My therapist only knows about the        , and whatever lurking depressing feeling I have in my head at the moment, is just supposed to be discussed. Talking about my problems doesn't solve them, or make them go away. As soon as I leave her office, I'm left with the same feelings and same problems as when I started. Nothing is helping. How is depression fixed? I just want to be happy.

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 5/24/2009 1:26:10 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Blues,  I am sorry you are having such a hard time now.  Karen is right, you may need to find a different therapist.  When you have a session you should come out of it feeling like you have been given some answers and feel as though you have been helped. Also, as Karen said you need to tell your therapist everything.  They can't truly help you if they don't know what is going on.  Honesty is very important in your recovery. Also your therapist should not be the one to say what you should talk about.  You should be able to talk about the things you need to get off your mind.  I wish you the best with this and hope that you can open up to a new therapist and possibly even your parents.  Sometimes it helps if you can sit down and have a good talk with your Mom.  She may be more understanding than you realize. I hope you will post again and let us know how you are doing.  You have a lot of support here in this group. Take care of yourself.

Aurora

Blues,
I remember 14 and how lost I felt. I remember the deep sad and sort of 'faking it' most days at school so my friends wouldn't think I was a downer... I eventually needed medication to help me. I had a great psychiatrist who monitored the amount of meds I needed, pushed me to walk every day and sort of got my parents to be more understanding.

Of all these things the walking and gentle exercise has been the best constant in my life. I used to walk for 30 minutes and actually feel my mood rise. So I studied why it works and found out that exercise increases oxygenation to the muscles, enhances circulation, and releases natural mood elevators that our brains produce. I also learned that I need a certain amount of sunlight or artificial light to keep my mood up, as well. I'm of northern European ancestry and suffer from seasonal affected disorder, so more light helps me make more serotonin which makes me more happy.

Perhaps you could try some short walking time in the sunlight? Might help, can't hurt and it's free. I'll be thinking of you.