Depressed teen can confide in her parents

Originally published in 2013.

Dear Annie: I am a 16-yearold girl in high school. I have so much to be thankful for, but recently, I have been feeling like something is wrong with me.

Quite frankly, I am depressed. I’m always tired, anxious and nervous, and I have outrageous mood swings.

I’ve lost all focus, ambition and motivation, and sometimes it just hurts to breathe. I hate to use this as an excuse for my grades, but I had been a straight-a student, and now I have two Cs and a B.

This is unacceptable. I hate disappointing my parents.

Along with the grades and the other symptoms I mentioned, I’m constantly having trouble eating and recently resorted to selfharm.

Suicidal thoughts also accompany this, as much as I hate to admit it. I worry that if I tell my parents, they will hate me. I don’t have a teacher or counsellor I feel comfortable confiding in. None of my friends know, and I’m scared that I will do more damage to myself than I intend.

Please help me. I hide behind a smile every day, and I am so lost. Depressed in Hiding

Dear Depressed: Please tell your parents you aren’t feeling well and ask them to make an appointment for you to see your doctor.

A lot of what you are describing may have physiological origins that can be treated (such as a hormonal imbalance). You can speak to the doctor privately and tell him what you told us.

But please don’t be afraid to discuss this with your parents. They love and care about you. They may be worried, but they will want to help, and you will feel better confiding in them.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.