Sometimes parents can surprise you. Your parents may already know that something is going on. Since you are old enough to be on your own, they may not feel comfortable asking you about it, or figure its your business.

Depression changes your personality, the way you live your life and react to others. Often the people around you pick it up regardless of your attempts to hide it.

My parents have always been very private and conservative. I went all the way through junior high and high school trying to behave like a "normal" person. When I eventually did go to my parents, they reacted a lot better than I would have expected. They wanted to help despite the fact that they were probably embarrassed about having a child with severe depression. I think it was almost a relief for them to know what was going on.

Whether or not to tell your parents is a decision only you can make, but you will never know how they will react unless you tell them. There is a big difference between not working or going to school because you don't feel like it and not going because you are ill and can't go. Depression is an illness just as meningitis or pnuemonia. The only difference is that one is a physical illness and one is an emotional illness. You have tried to stay in school and work through this. Now it is clear that you need help. Don't be ashamed of needing help. You did nothing wrong. No one chooses to be depressed, its something that happens to you.

What ever you choose, I wish you luck. Go by your gut an do what you think is right.

Sam2