<p>Sophomore year I went through a severe bout of depression that lasted for about a straight period of 10 months. I lost almost all my friends, three family members passed away, & I began to fall behind in school over that time period.</p>
<p>I began missing school more regularly (total of 6 absences opposed to the 1 absence I had freshman year) & when I did go, I slept. When I got home, I would sleep, wake up, eat, and then go back to sleep & have trouble waking up in the morning. I gained about 25 pounds, but I was underweight before so now I am at an average weight, but the fact that I couldn't fit into any of my clothes only made it worse. I was also missing classes because i was in the guidance office at least once a week.</p>
<p>Turning point was probably when my dad lost his temper after I refused to go to school again & hit me, which left a bruise which was noticed and child services were called. After that my parents both ignored me for about two months. The state also mandated that I go to a psychiatrist, but I only went 3 times & was never put on medication.</p>
<p>Things haven't gotten that much better but I have become more accustomed to my life. My grades are improving slightly, but I'm still constantly sleeping & have already missed a week of school in total. How do I motivate myself to wake up in the morning and go to school?</p>
<p>From what you describe I’m not sure you can pull yourself out of the black hole by yourself. You need medical help. Motivation is not enough. You need to go back to a psychiatrist (find one you trust) and if medications are warranted (which it sounds like they are), take them. I’m hoping you can talk to your parents and tell them you need outside help to get better. If not, the school usually has a psychologist that they refer students to and maybe they could talk to your parents. See someone to get better!</p>
<p>I don’t remember most of my sophomore year due to depression. Back then, it wasn’t really talked about and my parents had no idea what was wrong. I really wish someone could have helped me.</p>
<p>My son suffers from depression as well. He is taking Prozac and Trileptal and he has not missed a single day of school this year because life isn’t so hard with the meds helping. Yes, he still has all the teenage angst, struggles with schoolwork and girlfriend problems – but they are all “normal” problems and he doesn’t get pushed into a severe depression by them. </p>
<p>Depression is not just sadness, it is a medical condition that needs medical treatment. Please see your doctor, even your pediatrician if you can’t find a psychiatrist that you trust. Your guidance counselor should be able to help you speak with your parents about this. </p>
<p>Depression is not your fault and it is not a sign of weakness. You would not avoid treatment for bronchitis or a broken arm, please don’t avoid treatment for this.</p>
<p>Oh, please talk to someone at school and arrange to see a doctor. You need an adult to advocate for you.</p>
<p>Both of my sons (17 and 20) are mentally ill. Medications have literally been lifesavers for them. You might need to be patient, because sometimes it takes a little while for the doctor to figure out what works best for you.</p>
<p>I would also encourage you to contact NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The group is wonderful - it’s there to provide information and support for people with mental illness. They have been a big help to our family. The link is [NAMI:</a> National Alliance on Mental Illness - Mental Health Support, Education and Advocacy](<a href=“http://www.nami.org%5DNAMI:”>http://www.nami.org) You can click on your state’s name to find a local chapter.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions, but I have already seen the psychiatrist at school, my pediatrician, & a licensed psychiatrist. My parents are aware & were aware of my situation when it started & they neither think it is a big deal nor do they think it is something that calls for serious medical attention.</p>
<p>I would ask for help from them now, but I wouldn’t get anything besides a lecture. And they wouldn’t believe me either as I have gotten tons better at acting as if I’m okay, so I’m basically on my own now.</p>
<p>Sorry kjh611…you don’t get off the hook that easily. Keep going. You know you need help or you wouldn’t have written to begin with. And lots of people on this forum understand where you’re coming from either from personal experience or having friends/family in your situation. Unfortunately, denial on parents/friends part to acknowledge a true medical problem with depression will always be present. Maybe someone can help you with that.
I’m not a doctor but in clinical depression there are brain chemicals that are not in balance–think of your brain like a car battery…it’s dead unless the chemicals are there to start it. You don’t “learn to live with it”–you need to claim the life you deserve. You know how you felt before this depression–strive for that. And you are not alone.
I’m hoping others have advice on how to get you that help. You need to keep going.
Acting okay, isn’t okay. You need to feel okay. Post on the parents forum.</p>