I don't understand

[CharleysAngel']

My doctor says that I don't have depression, she said its more than normal teenage behavior but its not depression. I have most of the symptoms of it but at times I am ok. I feel confused because it feels like it should be depression but its not. I do 100% trust my doctor and I know that she takes me seriously, but I don't understand how I feel and what is wrong with me

[supportme]

Maybe having a clinical diagnosis is not helpful for you. We all get bought down by labels. Just because you don't meet the criteria for depression, does not mean that you are not suffering in your own unique way. Just try and keep yourself busy, and throw yourself into activities which you used to find fun, or you still do. Seek a general counsellor, someone you can talk to if and when you are struggling, help is there out there for you. Please do not worry x

[Sweetpea]

I don't know what to say other than maybe keep a mood diary, also go and see your dr regularly as it seems she is very understanding.  You always have us here if you need to vent your feelings.   &*(.

S x

[Ezel]

No advice but keeping a diary may help.  If it's any consolation I did suffer with depression in my teens but it wasn't picked up on at that time and it took years before it was.

[supportme]

Ditto, Pip, 6 years on and now I am finally being treated for depression!

[KateG]

Icelolly it may not be much consolation but I had symptoms of depression months before anyone confirmed I had it. What is "normal teenage behaviour" anyway? That's a big generalisation. Just keep telling your GP exactly how you feel, don't try and put a brave face on things

[CharleysAngel']

Thanks for your support everyone xx

Not having any kind of diagnosis, whether it be depression or not, makes it hard to get treatment. I have had problems getting school counselling as you may have seen from some of my previous posts. I'm still battling for some help

[Munchroom]

Like Pip and supportme I had undiagnosed depression when I was around your age and it got put down to me being 'anxious and stressed' I was hospitalised, tested on... no-one would admit it was a severe depression. I don't know why.

I would agree with Kate - be completley honest with your GP. Does she know about your thoughts of self harm? Putting a brave face on may seem easier, but she's not going to judge you xx

[CharleysAngel']

She sort of knows about some of my self harm thoughts. She told me to keep my appointment at the psychiatric hospital when my mum said that she didn't think I needed to go. She kept calling it an assessment? What exactly is that? I didn't really get a chance to speak to her properly at my last appointment because my mum was there.

I do sort of keep a diary, I find it really hard to get the motivation or the time to write in it though.

[Munchroom]

An assesment will be where they try and determine what they can do for you and what help you need.

If she's still adamant on you keeping that appointment then I would assume she's not sure on what diagnosis to give you?

All sounds like confusion that you don't need  &*(

[Got]

You must absolutly go to the assessment, otherwise you are throwing away the chance to get help.

[Sweetpea]

I agree you should go, try and write down how you have been feeling so you can take it with you.  As you may forget what you need to say.

S x

[CharleysAngel']

Oh I will go to the appointment, I'm more than happy to go to it. Its just my mum doesn't seem to think I need it and neither does my head of year (or house should I say, she is actually my head of house but  I wrote year the first time by accident and then just stuck with it so as not to confuse things). My doctor said that even if I have a goos school counsellor by then (which is unlikely) I should still go and see what they say.

[emmietaylor]

what about changing gps? Have you been sleeping okay lately? do you feel refreshed and energetic when you wake up or do you need lots of coffee to keep you going?