[prettyjolie]

so ive noticed lately that there are A LOT of young people that are depressed and have psychological problems..
not only on here, but also in real life..

i am one of them.. I feel like i'm going completely insane and i dont believe that I'll ever be "normal" like i was when i started high school.

so, if we begin having these problems at a young age, does that mean we're doomed to have these psychological problems for the rest of our lives?
Are we EVER going to be happy?
will we ever lead a normal life?
ughh..

[littlemissjess]

I don't know. I want to be happy the rest of my life. I want to be normal like I see so many at people. I want to magicly get better and be happy like everyone else in life

[Juliana]

Depression is pretty common amongst young people. Just because you have depression when you're young, it doesn't mean you're doomed to feel that way forever, though.

I struggled with depression when I was very young and off and on through my late teens and very early 20s, but it went away completely for nearly 12 years. I have only had 2 major depressive episodes in my 30s (I'm 37 now) and one was brought on by a medication and the other seems to have been triggered by the suicide of my uncle.

My main struggle in my early 30s was anxiety and agoraphobia, but my psychiatrist and ENT both believe it probably wouldn't have happened (or been so severe) if I hadn't gotten a severe case of BPPV (an inner ear disorder). The fact that I was depressed as a teen doesn't seem to be the reason I got agoraphobia when I was in my early 30s.

So, I lead a pretty normal life -- and did so throughout my 20s too. I have two university degrees, have had some wonderful boyfriends, have great friends and a fun social life, have a good career, etc. Depression isn't a life sentence. You may need therapy and medication, but those things can help a lot.

Sometimes depressive symptoms subside when hormone shifts calm down. That seems to be what happened to me... and why I felt so much better when I reached 21. It's a good idea to seek therapy when you're young. You can learn some positive coping mechanisms that can make things easier. Depression does not have to rule your life.

[Direction]

I have found that it hits every major category.

Baby Boomers
Gen X'ers
Gen Y's

I think as you grow you find better ways to cope with everything. Obviously not true for all of us, but I do think the teenage years are some of the hardest years...

[Christina86]

(((((((((prettyjolie))))))))))))

I've asked the same questions and keep coming up empty when looking for answers.

All I can think is "what is happy" and "what is normal" which I suppose are copouts.

I think being a teenager (or younger person) is hard, with lots of pressures. I also think the brain chemistry that develops around that age can make it a bit wonky at times.

No answers, sorry. If you find the answers, let me know. I'm actually curious myself, no joke.

[WinterRose]

Therapy can help even if it sometimes causes depression while working through things. Medication, if need is indicated, really does help. But I'm wondering if to be happy you must define happiness for yourself - not sure. That's where I get stuck - I'm not always sure what will make me happy. I'm much better since I went on meds. Sometimes I wish something had been done earlier when I was a teen, but then the meds weren't as good as they are now and my pdoc was still in school so I wouldn't have him specifically and he's a key ingredient in my opinion. I'm in my mid-thirties.

[ally88]

((((((((((( jolie ))))))))))))))
hi prettyjolie, unfortunatly yes, there are many young people suffering from this, and I am also one of them. you know what? I wish I could answer those questions. I have been in agony for the longest time now and it just seems I will never be normal again. I would love to know the answer to those questions. I really hope that you feel better soon.

[prettyjolie]

I dont know know what happiness is and of course i dont know how to find it..

my mom told me once that you have to find those things in life that make you happy, not to relly on others to bring you happiness, and do what your heart desires.

i can't seem to find what makes me happy anymore..
and its probably part of this.. the not being able to enjoy life anymore..

its kind of sad to think that if i feel this way now, starting at a young age, i might have these problems later in life again.. and i'll have so many more problems, bills, kids(hopefully not .lol), a husband, and my parents might be dead..

that's a bright future to look foward to, huh?