The Student Room Group

Am I depressed?

Hmm, at the moment I'm finding it really difficult to see the positive things in life, and more importantly, in people and it's ruining my social life as I don't really accept complements any more and I always feel people are being false in their friendship, like people who say hi to me just say hi even though they don't actually give a damn about me, and I always think, what if I wasn't here, would anyone (not my family) miss me a lot? I know that sounds a bit morbid, and I should tell you, I'm not at all suicidal, but I just want a way to feel more positive about my outlook on life. Any suggestions? :confused: :redface:
Reply 1
Anything lead up to this (any significant event or series of events) or has this feeling just leapt into you?
Reply 2
sr4470
Anything lead up to this (any significant event or series of events) or has this feeling just leapt into you?


Well, possibly. I split up with my ex in July and she went to France and Germany on her GAP year. She used to be in my school and now when I'm there I keep thinking she's gonna be there. But very recently I've tried really hard to get over her (during half term) and it worked, I really did feel different now she was out of my life, but today I went back and it all came back to me. I guess that maybe the foundation stone to all this, but it's small things, like friends criticising personal features (this is not bullying and they are very good friends) but they needn't say it all the same. I guess I'm more receptible to criticism and therfore that's what I retain and then spread pessimism??
Reply 3
Try not to dwell on it so much. You did say you also got compliments...take the good with the bad, make progress, have aims in your life so that you dont sink into a hole and become reclusive...this might sound like a lecture but being positive and taking positive steps is important.
At 16 you have a lot to be depressed about so chances are you probably are.

</sarcasm>
Reply 5
SpiralArchitect
At 16 you have a lot to be depressed about so chances are you probably are.

</sarcasm>


Whats that supposed to mean? :confused:
Reply 6
sr4470
Whats that supposed to mean? :confused:


errr,, i think you missed the *sarcasm* bit there, but anyway, i think he was implying i have nothing to be depressed about... :rolleyes: and you're probably right....
Reply 7
rich_
errr,, i think you missed the *sarcasm* bit there, but anyway, i think he was implying i have nothing to be depressed about... :rolleyes: and you're probably right....


I guess so. I just prefer the sympathetic approach.
rich_
Hmm, at the moment I'm finding it really difficult to see the positive things in life, and more importantly, in people and it's ruining my social life as I don't really accept complements any more and I always feel people are being false in their friendship, like people who say hi to me just say hi even though they don't actually give a damn about me, and I always think, what if I wasn't here, would anyone (not my family) miss me a lot? I know that sounds a bit morbid, and I should tell you, I'm not at all suicidal, but I just want a way to feel more positive about my outlook on life. Any suggestions? :confused: :redface:


depression often teaches a person a lesson about life, everyone experiences it (though some more than others), it helps you to mature and grow mentally as it makes you think deeper, forces you to find more about yourself and allows you to take your life more seriously and think about things you don't notice when you are not depressed. My advise is, not to try to force yourself to cheer up immediately when you start to feel down, just cope with it for a while, and trust me, it will go away, nothing last forever, and if you're generally not a depressed or morbid person, then you should recover from this phase very quickly... you should let it develope and then fade rather than trying to put it out immediately you'll feel much better this way.
Reply 9
grave_dreams, I see where you're coming from - prolonged depression isnt good though, it literally paralyses you (which is why I made a strong point of being positive in my last post above). Or, with some people, leads to suicidal behaviour.
SpiralArchitect
At 16 you have a lot to be depressed about so chances are you probably are.

</sarcasm>


Don't generalise so much. You're assuming that the problems 16 year olds have are restricted to being trivial and "teen". They're not. A 16 year old can have a lot to be depressed about.
sr4470
grave_dreams, I see where you're coming from - prolonged depression isnt good though, it literally paralyses you (which is why I made a strong point of being positive in my last post above). Or, with some people, leads to suicidal behaviour.


yeah i suppose after a reasonable amount of time, you are still not getting better, then it's not a phase and you should try and see the cause and make steps to recover
Reply 12
grave_dreams
yeah i suppose after a reasonable amount of time, you are still not getting better, then it's not a phase and you should try and see the cause and make steps to recover


On the basis that he split up with his ex in July (and presumably this is what began the negative feelings), it appears to be more than just a "phase".
Reply 13
sr4470
On the basis that he split up with his ex in July (and presumably this is what began the negative feelings), it appears to be more than just a "phase".


Hmm, I'm not really sure if it's not a phase- I mean, I've felt on and off since, but in actual fact, when it really comes down to it, the depression that I might be experiencing now is no worse than that of when I was with her, I mean, we loved each other, and I certainly loved her, yet she upset me a lot and I didn't feel satisfied and I was often depressed, and actually to split up was a relief so I could be free, though i hadn;t been free for 2 years, so it was a bit of a shock, and seeing as the last time I was free I was err, JUST 14, and I'm now 16 a lot has happened in that time, I reckon I just need to get used to the new lifestyle and this autumn I;ve tried to reform myself, i.e. do lots of things differently and it has worked to an extent. I'm sure it'll go soon, I think I made today seem more than it might be, i.e. your normal bad day at the office type thing, however i'll see how it goes.
Reply 14
Toy Soldier
Don't generalise so much. You're assuming that the problems 16 year olds have are restricted to being trivial and "teen". They're not. A 16 year old can have a lot to be depressed about.


:ditto:
Reply 15
Of course you can be depressed at 16! No-one else has any idea of any personal issues you may be going through so don't let them make you feel insignificant just because your problems supposedly appear trivial.