I’ve been dealing with severe depression for three years. Every year it gets worse. I have really high levels of depression. Like, extremely high. Almost one of the worst cases. I’m always either wanting to go on a murder spree or want to lull myself gruesomely.
THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
- You seem to be facing some really difficult times. Thank you so much for reaching out to the TeenCentral community—you are welcome here and certainly not a burden. And connecting with us is an amazing way to advocate for yourself and your journey to feeling better!
- If you are ever feeling unsafe with yourself or like there’s no one to talk to about how you feel, please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They are available 24 hours a day. In order to reach the National Suicide Hotline.
DIAL or TEXT 988 or CHAT at 988lifeline.org. Help is literally a text away. Don’t wait.
- Is there anyone in your life you could talk to about how you feel? Maybe someone you haven’t tried talking to before. It could be a trusted teacher, or coach, or family friend. Just being able to confide in someone and express your feelings can be helpful. Also, seeing a therapist you feel comfortable around and really connect with can be invaluable and so important for mental health.
- In some cases when depression is very severe – like you describe – it may be necessary to see a doctor at a hospital. Are you safe right now? If you are having those kinds of scary thoughts and you might follow through with them THE BEST THING TO DO is go to your local emergency room – now.
WHEN YOU ARE UP FOR IT
Have you ever tried using coping skills to help calm your mind and body? Finding helpful coping skills can allow the mind some needed relief from overwhelming thoughts and emotions. There are countless things we can do to help cope with our situations, and even if coping skills haven’t helped you in the past, there’s always new things to try.
- Writing/Journaling—Talking to someone isn’t always easy or possible, so you could try writing down how you feel. There’s a “Positive Daily Reminder” under the “Tools” tab on our site that’s super helpful. If you need help getting started with a journal, check out our new Journal Prompts!
- Wellness/Meditation—Deep breathing exercises are fantastic ways to self-soothe and cope during difficult times. Yoga or hiking are other ways to engage our bodies and in turn help our minds find some peace when we might feel static and depressed. If you’ve never tried yoga, it can be extremely relaxing and can help us connect back with our bodies. There is a helpful, simple yoga routine here to get you started and hopefully feeling better!
- Hobbies/Interests—Finding other activities that help you feel at ease can make rough times easier. Going out into nature or to a park with friends can increase the chemical serotonin in your brain. Having a low level of serotonin is one thing responsible for depression. If you’re more into video games, maybe finding a positive online community is something that will aid you.
Thank you so much for reaching out to TeenCentral! Your voice is always welcome here and please don’t hesitate to write back again!
