[falling333]

hi guys, I'm so glad I found this site-reading everyone's stories really make me feel like I'm not the only one feeling this way. My depression has really been getting worst recently and I'm not sure what to do. I use to think that I will never seek professional help, but recently it's gotten so bad that I'm really considering it. The thing is...I don't want my parents to know. I know that my depression is bad enough that I will most definitely need treatment such as pills or therapy-BUT I DON"T WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. It's the one thing left that's holding me back from jumping on a bus and going to the hospital.
I really feel trapped because on one hand I'm feeling so sick-inside and out-but I don't want them to ever find out. I've been researching quite a lot about depression, and most websites that offer information and help on depression have a "What to do if you think your teen has depression" thing. (oh by the way I'm a minor, that's why I don't know if I can go to the doctor without her telling them about this). The thing is, unless I don't go to school, start doing drugs, or get arrested (etc..) my parents will probably never think I have major depression. It's not like they don't love me or anything, it's just how my family is. I don't know how to explain it...
Oh gosh, I'm just going on and on. OKAY. I just wanted to know if anyone out there has any ideas on what I should do.

[adam_k]

If you are over 18 your parents don't have much they can say about it. Your therapsit also can't talk to anyone about you, this includes your parents unless you give them permission. I think the only exception to this is that if you list someone as your emergency contact, your therapist may have to call them if a emergency arises.

If you are under 18 then they may have to talk to your parents. They won't be able to tell them what you say unless you give permission.

[catsrhelm]

I agree with AdamK. Also you may want to get a third party that you trust involved. Sometimes, parents take things better if it comes from "another knowledgeable adult".

[phaset]

Unfortunately they are most likely going to have to find out. I would suggest doing it on your terms, rather than waiting for (or causing) some event to happen which results in them to figure it out on their own, or being told. I know how hard this is to do, even now I had a hard time asking for help again.

When I was in high school I reached out to a friend and told them I had been thinking about hurting myself. It eventually reached my parents, and didn't go so well. While I didn't have to do the hard work of telling them, it caused me so many more problems, some of which I think I am still dealing with 15 years later.

Could you talk to your school counsellor about this? Maybe they could help you talk to your parents.

[Lab_Rat]

There is a stigma about something being wrong with the brain. No one says wow you're weird for having a heart or kidney problem. Thing is , the brain is an organ too. It gets sick. It deserves meds too just like the other organs. It took me a long time to understand this but when I did it made things easier.

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