true stories
If you think
you’re suffering
from depression, talk
to someone you trust
now. You can also
check out
www.depressionalliance.org
for more info.
DEPRESSION:
A TEEN’S
EXPERIENCE
Depression can be the ult
imate
confidence-knocker. We
spoke to 15-year-old
Natasha about how she tac
kled it...
I
“I WORRIED I’D
NEVER BE THE SAME
AGAIN…”
“From here, things just kept getting
worse. I began missing out on school
and had trouble concentrating,
sleeping and eating. I started to
worry that I’d never be the same
again, or would reach a point when I
wouldn’t have control over myself
psychologically.
“Depression isn’t just being sad
because you’ve had a bad day, you
can actually feel it weighing you
down inside. You often don’t even
have a reason to be upset, you just
feel incredibly low. This is when I
knew I had to seek help.
“Luckily, this is when my mum
suggested I go to the doctor. She’d
noticed I hadn’t been my usual self,
but I think she put it down to me
missing my friend and being a
moody teenager. After I missed a
whole week of school, though, she
realised something was really
wrong.
“I DIDN’T
WANT TO HEAR I HAD
DEPRESSION.”
“At the doctor’s, I was given
sleeping pills and referred to
counselling. I was terrified of going
because I didn’t want to hear that I
had depression. In a way it was a
relief when I was diagnosed — if I
wanted to get better, then I had to
make the first steps to recovery.
“The counselling sessions really
helped me. I learned to look at the
way I react to things in life, and not
to push myself so much. I was facing
a lot of different pressures — like all
teenage girls — such as exams and
family issues.
“Now, instead of letting them get
me down, I take a step back. It’s
hard work, but I have to accept
myself for who I am. Nothing is more
important than your wellbeing and
happiness.
“As I began my recovery,
Demi Lovato spoke out about her
problems with depression and
bulimia in an interview. I was a fan of
hers before and I now began to see
her as a role model.
“Knowing that she had some of the
issues I was dealing with inspired me
to work hard to recover. I admired
her honestly in speaking out to the
media and it made me see that I
had nothing to be ashamed of.
“THINGS ONLY
GET BETTER...”
“I’m really taking care of myself
now and I’m feeling a lot better. I’d
love to be involved in the media
when I’m older to continue to spread
awareness of depression and how it
affects people. It’s not something
that’s taught in schools, so if my story
helps even one person, that’ll make
me happy.
“To any readers who think they
may have depression, I would
encourage them to speak out — I
promise you things only get better
once you do.”
“One thing in
particular that
Demi Lovato said
really spoke to
me was, ‘I don’t
let anyone’s
insecurities,
emotions, or
opinions bother me. And it’s okay to
be selfish like that sometimes, when
it comes to your wellbeing. Do what
makes you happy, and don’t care
what others think.’”
*Pic posed by model.
t started last summer — my best
friend was moving, I was about
to start GCSEs, and I was
worried about who I’d hang out with.
“I tried to keep positive, but in the
third week of the new term, I started
breaking down. I was constantly
crying and I felt like my life was
falling apart. I used to be so
outgoing and I was suddenly
becoming the complete opposite.
At first I thought I was just missing my
friend, and that I’d get over it, so I
didn’t tell anyone about my feelings.
“During this period, I kept myself to
myself and spent a lot of time alone
in my room. I avoided speaking to
people and rarely went out, hoping
that no-one would notice my
changing personality.