Advertisement
Topics
Diseases and conditions
Mental Health
Bones and Joints
First Aid & Minor Ailments
Dental & Opthalmic
Nutrition
Vitamins & Minerals
Mental Health
Bones and Joints
First Aid & Minor Ailments
Dental & Opthalmic
Nutrition
Vitamins & Minerals
Hot stuff
Newsletters
Promotions
Is there a link?
Deodorants and breast cancer investigated
Deodorants and breast cancer investigated
Lose weight today
Get a personal diet plan
Get a personal diet plan
Fighting teen depression
continued from page 1
My mum could see that I wasn't right, so she forced me to tell her what was wrong. It was so hard to tell her, but I'm so glad now that I did. I showed her my arms, which were a complete mess by then. She was so upset by it, so were the rest of my family, and I felt so guilty for upsetting and worrying them, but I was so relieved that I'd let it off my chest.
She sent me to the doctors, who then referred me to a psychiatrist as an emergency case. He told me I had a quite severe case of clinical depression and that I'd had it since a very early age. It wasn't triggered by anything at all. I was put on antidepressants and sleeping tablets, and given scar treatment for my arms.
Light at the end of the tunnel
The fact that I knew I wasn't on my own anymore helped me start my recovery, and then the antidepressants kicked in. I saw the psychiatrist for about six months and, in that time, I reduced the amount of times I was harming myself and I started to take control. I forced myself not to self-harm again, and I made myself think positively, as it was the only way to beat my depression. I got so much better, I stopped seeing my psychiatrist. I did really well in my GCSE exams, which gave me a real sense of achievement. I started to enjoy life, to do what other teenagers did - I went out with my friends, got a new boyfriend and felt much more outgoing and confident.
It's been about a year now since I was diagnosed with depression and I have completely recovered. I still have the scars on my arms from then to remind me, but I'm not ashamed of them anymore. It feels like I've started afresh and I don't have to struggle through life anymore. I still have my 'off days' and the occasional spell of low self-esteem, and but I don't actually get depressed anymore. I know it could come back at any time, but now that I know how to deal with it, I don't think it would affect me as much. I think having had depression and beating it has made me a stronger person.
My mum could see that I wasn't right, so she forced me to tell her what was wrong. It was so hard to tell her, but I'm so glad now that I did. I showed her my arms, which were a complete mess by then. She was so upset by it, so were the rest of my family, and I felt so guilty for upsetting and worrying them, but I was so relieved that I'd let it off my chest.
She sent me to the doctors, who then referred me to a psychiatrist as an emergency case. He told me I had a quite severe case of clinical depression and that I'd had it since a very early age. It wasn't triggered by anything at all. I was put on antidepressants and sleeping tablets, and given scar treatment for my arms.
Light at the end of the tunnel
The fact that I knew I wasn't on my own anymore helped me start my recovery, and then the antidepressants kicked in. I saw the psychiatrist for about six months and, in that time, I reduced the amount of times I was harming myself and I started to take control. I forced myself not to self-harm again, and I made myself think positively, as it was the only way to beat my depression. I got so much better, I stopped seeing my psychiatrist. I did really well in my GCSE exams, which gave me a real sense of achievement. I started to enjoy life, to do what other teenagers did - I went out with my friends, got a new boyfriend and felt much more outgoing and confident.
It's been about a year now since I was diagnosed with depression and I have completely recovered. I still have the scars on my arms from then to remind me, but I'm not ashamed of them anymore. It feels like I've started afresh and I don't have to struggle through life anymore. I still have my 'off days' and the occasional spell of low self-esteem, and but I don't actually get depressed anymore. I know it could come back at any time, but now that I know how to deal with it, I don't think it would affect me as much. I think having had depression and beating it has made me a stronger person.
previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational
purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a
substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or
hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or
that of a child, please consult your family's health provider
immediately and do not wait for a response from our
professionals. For the full Disclaimer,
click here.
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
iVillage Features
Message Boards
Pregnancy & Baby |
Parenting |
Health |
Diet & Fitness |
Beauty & Fashion|
Relationships |
Home & Garden |
Food & Drink |
Work & Career |
Entertainment
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
© iVillage Limited 2000-2008. All rights reserved. | © iVillage inc. 1995-2008. All rights reserved.
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB