Not only Christianity. Three of my friends with depression all found religions for them, and they seem so much more cheerful. One is now Jewish, one is Buddhist and the one who seemed to have improved the most is now Wicca.

Remember, suffering is a part of life that can never be completly removed.

When I did Karate, that really helped. Then again, I go from sad, to mad, to anger, to the anger when i want to punch something (or one), to this evil anger that when i see someone get hurt or i hear someone cry, i'll either laugh or get madder. Then I get depressed again.

P.S it also helps if you stay busy and not sit around and think about it. Studies prove that physical activity helps your body to release goo hormones that make you feel good! If sports aren't you thing, try writing, music, crafting, anything that gives you joy and keeps your mind off things (that isn't dangerous or harmful!). I also used to have OCD but was able to conquer it with self-control. Your case is probably more severe, but you can get through this! I often wondered what "normal" feelings were too. Build a support system, find friends and be close to your family. Try new things and help out others, because these things give a natural high! There is hope! Know you are never alone, because we are with you all the way! Everyone goes through bad things, so don't be decieved by people who seem to live a 'perfect' life. You never know what goes on inside until you truly know a person, and even then you can never be 100% sure. You could try going back to school, but if you can't (one reason or another,) ask if you can be homeschooled. Remember you always have the people on DoSomething to ask for help if you get stuck!

As a child, I struggled with depression and horrible thoughts. I understand how you feel. I most likely would still be this way if my parnets hadn't got me involved in my church. As I became a Christian, my depression was vanquished. I still have mood swings of misery, but they are less frequent and not as terrible as they were before. Get involved in a cause, find faith, and ask for help from some1 u trust. Call out for hope and never give in! We love you and have faith in u!

You talked about wondering what was normal feelings of just being a teenager and what may be depression. All teenagers go through mixed emotions, especially since their bodies and hormones are changing. However, if it does come to the point where you feel as though you can't drag yourself out of bed or just don't care anymore, seek out help. When I was younger, I liked to bottle up all of my emotions and how I was feeling. I think if I had made that step to talk to someone about my emotions, it would have helped me to cope with them better.

I did find an outlet, though. I kept many journals and felt like I could express myself, without being judged. Writing helped me in putting my thoughts down on paper. Another thing I have found that worked well for me was either exercising or listening to music. It allowed me to have time to myself and was an outlet to escape for awhile.

Now I work with children who have emotional impairments. We work on building relationships with them so they feel comfortable with us and so we build trust with them. We see that the behaviors they exhibit are just the top layer of what is really bothering them.

I'm glad to know im not the only one that feels like this! i thought i was alone but everything you said u are feeling sounds just like what im feeling. I know its not easy. Im still trying to get over it. And now after tonight i dont even have my best friend to talk to becuase i told her i didnt want to tell her what was going on because she wouldnt understand and to just move on, Trust me, dont push away people that are trying to help you. I wish i could talk to her right now more than anything and i cant.

I am 19 years old and I live with a sister who has bipolar and at times when she was younger it got really scary for myself and the rest of my family. It got to the point that we had to send to treatment for her behaviors. Even though she has gone to three different treatment places she has some how been able to communicate a little bit more about how she is doing and how she feels. My family all try to be supportive for one another which is a big factor for a family.

Hi! I'm sorry you're going through all that! I have Chronic Lyme Disease, and that has caused me to have a few different mental illnesses as symptoms. I had depression, anxiety/social anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, etc. which mad my life very dificult. I went to a psycologist, and that helped a bit. I recommend that you g to a psychiatrist and see what they have to say. You might benefit from anti-depressants. Good luck to you! You are not alone!

I am 13. I was diagnosed with bipolar and depression at age 10, but my parents had been suspecting it for years. being a teenager with depression is the hardest thing in the world. i am starting to get better.my advice to you: don't try to hide your feelings. i did that and ended up making it worse. it came out in anger and i got kicked out of class 5's and suspended once(i dumped milk on a girl i didn't like). one thing that gets me real depressed is when teachers praise other kids and tell the rest of the class, "start being more like these kids", but one thing that motivates me is when teachers call me a good or sweet girl to my face. so try to look for motivation. also, look for positive things in your life.
ADVICE FOR ME-when i ended up getting suspended, the day i got back the alternative to suspension counselor tried talking to me. i told him i didn't want to talk and left. he said he was there and had time if i ever wanted to talk. now that i think about it, i think that it would be nice to have somebody to talk to, but i don't have anything to talk about. i just wake up feeling depressed, so i need an excuse to go talk to him, because i know that he can help me.
-superbabe911

Hi,

I understand where your coming from. I do see this has been posted quite some time ag, but I figured I would reply for anyone else who would like to read it. School brings great depression in my eyes, and it always has. But I get through it. I do well in school, but I hate the people around me, and how they treat others and the things they do is just wrong. And I'll tell you straight up, Im not the one to start with anyone and say something to them. Not because Im afraid, but because I don't need to be getting myself in trouble. But aside from school, if you have stress with your family it does feel good to let it all go and realx alone for awhile, but its also good to talk about your feelings and get them out of your system. I suggest you doing some simple yet some what helpful little things such as: going for walks or runs, trying something you've never done before, or even start a new online blog or journal that no one else has to see. Just get out some of your frustration with something. On the other hand you can be completely self-consious about yourself. I am too. I try so hard to improve myself. But, I've realized, I have friends, and family, a house to live in, and food to eat. I looked outside of the box, and thought how much I really do have, and how I could look 10 times worse. I'm getting to be more comfortable with myself lately. You just have to look outside the open window instead of the shut one. I could go on and on, but I hope this could help you think a bit more. I know I can't really help with the OCD and that sort of thing, but maybe a few little things could help?

-Emily