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bubblegum asks...
Hi Im 15 years old , im suffering from depression and i have and having thoughts about taking an overdose , i have taken an overdose three times to make the feelings go away also i use to self harm but that never worked for me ,i even here my own voice in my mind telling me to do bad things to myself , i aslo think about death when im feeling low i do have support in school and outside of school , i told a teacher at my school today about the voices im hearing in my own mind and she said that she had to email the main people , I dont know how im going to tell my mum about the voice becuase i think she will think im been stupid , Im just so worred and scared im having thease thoughts and voices :'( becuase no one else seems to have them in my school and im the only one and i feel like im going crazy :( , My mum does know i have depression and overdosed before , i also speak to alot of teachers and support staff at school to keep me going, but some times i find it really hard to say to them im hearing voices and i dont know an easyer way to tell them this , i also find it hard telling people how i feel inside.
Im getting in to so much trouble at school becuase all of this and i cant help it :( , the school has said to me they dont want me at school because there finding it hard to cope with then the behavour on the top.
Please help if you can
thank you
What we suggest...
Hi bubblegum, thanks for your email.
From what you tell us it would seem to be the voices which are causing you the most trouble just now. They are a part of the emotional distress and depression which we gather you have been suffering from for a while now.
Being depressed can be a very isolating experience. People rarely admit to how they're feeling, or that they hear voices, so it's understandable that you feel as though you're the only one. But you're not. You were very brave to tell a teacher and we hope that she was sympathetic towards you as well as explaining that she had to tell someone else. It may help your school to understand more about your situation and we hope that you are able to carry on in school next year.
You tell us that Mum is already knows about your depression so we feel it's unlikely that she'll think you're stupid if you tell her about the voices. You could tell Mum in exactly the same way you told your teacher, you may find it easier now you've already talked to a teacher about it. Pick a time when there's just the two of you, and there's plenty of time to talk. You can also tell your support workers as well. The more they know about your situation, the more help the better they'll be able to support you.
Many people in your situation find it difficult to put how they feel into words. But there are other ways which you may find more helpful. You could try
# using drawings or paintings to express yourself
# digging out a song by your favourite band, or of a poem that is close to describing how you feel
# using dance or other physical movement to describe your feelings
If you can then share these with your support workers it may help to start a discussion.
As well as making the most of the support you already have, there are a lot of quite simple things you can try to do yourself which can help your mood. We know you've tried self-harming which didn't work for you, and overdosing will only give you short-term relief so see if some of the following help:
# get plenty of fresh air and sunshine
# try to exercise regularly e.g. walking, cycling, swimming. It makes 'happy hormones'
#· eat regular meals and a balanced diet. Too much sugary food and drink can make you feel high one minute and like you can't be bothered the next
# get a good night's sleep. This probably isn't easy for you because depression can disrupt sleeping patterns but going to bed at the same time each night and following the same routine may help
# keep in contact with your friends and enjoy yourself when you can
#· give yourself treats now and again
# do things you know you enjoy e.g. watch favourite TV programmes or DVDs; listen to music
# make a list of things you know you're good at or people have said you're good at and pin it up where you can see it to give you a boost
#· make a list of the good things people have said about you and pin it up
#· allow yourself to laugh, cry, scream, shout, when you feel like it, and you're in a safe place
You may also find the following organisations helpful:
# The Hearing Voices Network, helpline: 0845 122 8642, open Tuesdays 1-4pm. You can also email them at info@hearing-voices.org . Website: http://www.hearing-voices.org
# Camberley Connexions Centre, Communication House, Victoria Avenue, Camberley. GU15 3HX. Telephone: 0127 627172. Email: camberley.careers@vtplc.com . Open: Mon-Thurs 9.30-5, Friday 9.30-4.45. You don't need an appointment, you can just drop in and talk to someone
You've got the long summer holiday coming up so perhaps you could try out some of these things and see if they work.
We hope you find what we've said in our reply helpful. Like we said before it will take some time to get through this, but with the support you already have, and the determination to get better, life should begin to improve. Please email us again if you think we can help, about this or anything else.
Take care and best wishes from q2a.
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