I Have Problems

[Anonymous]

I am 15 Years old. I have too many problems to count. I am Extremely Depressed at times and sometimes so much that Death would be welcomed. There are a couple of things that keep me from killing myself. One being religion, in which it is against my religion to commit suicide. I think i might be paranoid. I get the feeling sometimes that people don't like me. There are too many things that can be written about how I feel and what I think, however there couldn't possibly be room on this message board to fit it all in.

[Avery]

I'm sorry that you are feeling so down.  Depression is a HARD thing and it's not your fault!  Have you talked to anyone about your depression?  Your mom and dad, a friend, a school counselor?  I have suffered from depression all my life...probably beginning when I was 15.  The only thing to remember is that depression is TEMPORARY.  There are wonderful medications now (and therapy) that will make you feel better almost immediately.  Trust me, I've been there.  Being a teenager just makes it that much more difficult.  A few months ago, I was considering suicide, could barely make it out of bed to brush my teeth and cried almost constantly for no real reason.  It seemed like I couldn't keep up with life and I was paralyzed with bad feelings.  Does that sound familiar?  I started taking medication and within a week, I was feeling much more like myself.  A few months later and I'm ME again (even better)!  There is hope, you just have to hang on and ask for help.  Don't be afraid to write on this board as much as you have to say...I'm listening!  

Avery

[Acappella]

Dear guest,

my guess is that you wouldn't be hurting so much except that you really value life and so very much want to live it fully and that includes feeling loved and accepted and strong in a way that you do not feel right now.  Is that possibly true about you?

there are others out there who will (and already do i bet) like you very much and i for one already like your courage - you took a risk and posted here about your sadness and fear.  I like too that you are aware of your feelings and not pretending you feel better right now than you do.

Post to your hearts content here - go ahead break the record for the longest post ever!

Do you have an adult you can share your feelings in person with and who treats you with compassion, respect and dignity?  

do you count your dreams as well as your problems?  How many dreams have you had about your life? How many can you come up with if you try?
do you have some that you've forgotten?

As a guy named Simon posted so wisely and kindly here recently there are some important things to keep in mind that we all need to seek out in order to feel safe including relationships that honor the following:

You have the right to be loved and taken care of.

You have the right to be treated with respect.

You will never be deliberately hurt, either physically or emotionally.

You have the right to tell us how you feel.

You have the right to express yourself.

You have the right to disagree.

You have the right to be angry.

You have the right to ask for help.

You have the right to make mistakes.

You are a very important part of this world.  

(sometimes we have to work hard for our rights but we don't have to do so alone!)

take care and make yourself at home here "guest"