I hope you can help, I have recently been feeling down and I just want to be alone and away from everyone. I also haven't been enjoying the things I normally enjoy. Today my family decorated my Christmas Tree and I normally love doing it but today I didn't feel like joining in. Also I have been trying to avoid going outside, is this depression.?
Thanks xx
Sam
Hi there,
Feeling low and having moods swings is a part of puberty and you might find it difficult to get motivated. You might find these feelings pass in time. But if they last for a long time, or they're starting to have an impact on your day to day life, it might be time to think about getting some help.
Sometimes it can help to talk to a trusted family member or friend for support with how you feel. Lots of young people say that having someone they trust to talk to can really help. Remember that you can talk to a counsellor any time about what's going on. You can also look at what other young people have been sharing about their experiences and how they coped on the message boards.
Only a doctor can tell you for sure whether you might have depression or a different mental health condition. They can also tell you the best way to treat it and get the help you need. Going to a doctor can be really scary, but we've got advice on what it's like visiting your doctor to help. It’s important to remember that they are there to help you, and you can always prepare what you'd like to say with a counsellor.
Docready can help you prepare to talk to your doctor about you mental health by building a checklist. You might want to print this out and take with you.
Take care,
Sam
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