Avatar Posted by Ritz96 175 days ago (Question)
Dear whoever it may concern,
I do not know if what I am feeling is teen angst or moodiness due to the influx of hormones one receives whilst transitioning into the role of an "adult" (my newly emerging cynicism says that others might think so) or something terribly more serious. But I have to say this in hope that writing this down will help.
I feel terribly sad. All the time. At short moments I will myself to forget that I am so by watching T.V. or surfing through the net. I find myself hurt by anything that anyone says, even when I know they are joking. A look of "What are you talking about?" Leaves me feeling stupid and I fret about what I said exactly for days, feeling like an idiot and like everyone's judging me. I'm so afraid of people and I'm terribly sad for no reason at all. I'm anxious due to things I've never even worried about before. I'm thinking too much about things that have never taken up my time. I worry and worry and worry. I feel like I'm in a daze, a fog is clouding my brain. People talk to me and it's like I'm not processing what they say, the pace at which I think is very slow. I sleep a lot. I can't concentrate, I read something and it's like I haven't even read it, it won't stick in my brain. I'm tired all the time and think a lot. I feel hopeless and distant from people.
But nothing has happened. There is no possible reason to be sad. My life is fine. It should be.
I used to be so happy and fun and funny and witty and smart and in the moment. Now I feel like a carcass of what I was. I don't feel like myself. I'm super sensitive, I freak out around people, I tell a joke and if it falls flat I feel like a failure and like I've lost my grip on life.
I've never felt this self-conscious before, this low and blue. And it's been like this ever since I entered high school. Middle School, I was at the top of the world. Then... poof. All out from under me.
I don't know what is wrong. Please help me.
I don't feel right or like myself.
I shouldn't be sad but I am.
I feel like everyday is the same and I don't have a joy for life. I'm so miserable but I have no idea why.


Answers


Chemar
175 days ago
Hi there

yes, sometimes hormonal and other changes in the teen years can lead to teen angst, but not to the degree you are describing. It really would be a good idea to have a complete physical checkup at your doctor, including bloodwork. In addition, having a few sessions with a psychologist where you can honestly talk about how you have been feeling would be a good idea. Choose someone who specializes in treating young people. They will be able to differentiate what is normal and what may be clinical depression or anything else. It is so much better to see a professional and find out what may be causing this than to just continue suffering, especially at this very formative time in your life.
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Illumination619
170 days ago
Bonjour Mr.Ritz.. i am so happy to have found your... well i wouldnt say 'question' but rather an ask for help, because i can relate to it so much.. Im a 17 year old (male) senior in high school and I still have the mind of the freshman and the heart of a middle school newbie.. I felt EXACTLY the same as everything you described in 8th grade cause by then i (SKIP if you just want the answer) moved cities, schools, lost connection to my dad (whom my mom told me wasnt my real dad at 13 yrs old), was smoking ALOT of weed, drinking occasionally, fell in with a gang, and a bunch of other b.s.(TO HERE) And even then I still felt i was crazy for "no apparent reason" but all im going to say is to find what FEEDS YOUR SOUL... anything, be it music, art, sports, spirituality.. etc. (note that when you show that your under stress, a good majority of people will tell you to look for an extracurricular activity such as sports, a program/organization, etc, but the real thing your looking for might be in a much different, stranger place) But start looking IMMEDIATELY because if you dont fix the little problems you have now.. they only get worse... hell, if it wasnt for music and weed, id probably be in jail for murder about now.. so just find what TRUELY makes you happy... find yourself a reason to wake up in the morning.. you know, they say "home is where the heart is" ... well i think its the opposite.. haha like in joe dirt.. "home is where you make it" Your heart is the true sanctuary. Now go, my child, create something beautiful.
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Cody
170 days ago
Hello Ritz96,

There are a lot of people that have and will go through what you are going through right now. I went through the same thing. As we get older we become more mature obviously. You are going through the "growing up stage." You are growing into an adult. What I mean is you are becoming very self aware of who you are and how you interact with people. This is the time when you want to figure out who you are, what your beliefs are, what you like to do, possibly how you come off to other people. A positive thing to take from this is that you are becoming more intelligent which is not a bad thing. I know you have probably already heard this a lot, but, its always good to look at things in a positive way. If you focus on unrealistic and negative things, then this will only keep you away from things that make you YOU. Right now you are going to school. In school I had friends, but I also felt like an outcast at times. Trust me, don't take school for granted like I did. These are the years that you want to make the best of so that you can grow into a happy and successful adult.

You need to start doing things that make you happy. Ask yourself what makes you happy and what you want to do with your life. Let me tell that right now I am 22 but it seems like yesterday I was your age going through the same thing that you are going through right now. I am going to college to be a computer programmer and I wish I would have started learning how to do computer programming at your age that way I would have good experience and knowledge right now.

You need to have courage. Have the courage to be yourself and find yourself. If you feel you are in a fearful situation go ahead and keep doing it until you succeed. Motivate yourself to have the courage to stick up for the things that you want to go after, want to have happen. It takes courage and kindness. The way I like to look at things is if I am afraid of something I would rather have the courage to try my best at whatever it is that I am afraid of even though I may not succeed at first or embarrass myself in front of other people. Just as long as I did it to the best of my ability I will begin to feel good about myself. If you look at Michael Jordan for example, do you think he became the great player that he was by focusing on every shot that he missed? No. He focused on every shot that he made and used it as fuel to drive forward. You have to motivate yourself to go after what makes you happy and to have a constant focus on it. Don't live life for other people. I'm not saying don't help other people, but I am just saying don't try to please people. Do what makes you happy and respect life. If I can say one thing to help you is please don't take these years for granted. Have fun, love yourself... please pay attention to these words.... LOVE YOURSELF.... LOVE LIFE, life is good and you can enjoy it......... if you want to. You need to have courage and respect for yourself to stick up for the things you want and believe in and go after whatever you desire. If you love yourself then usually everything will fall in place because when it comes down to it, all we have is ourselves to count on when it comes down to doing anything. I'm not saying that we don't have family or friends to help support us. I am just saying that I want you to love yourself basically and love life. Do what makes you happy and go after what you love in full throttle. I don't want you to make the same mistake that I did. I took high school for granted, even though I had friends, I was always mad and pissed off all the time. I grew up this way( a lot of kids do). The things that have happened and will happen to you will continue to shape you into the person that you will become. Start honoring your own belief system and make choices according to your own belief system.

Go after what is in your heart and what is in your kind soul.

Hope this helps, God bless. Take care.
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