You've made things seem so much easier, thank you, you've been so much help

Yeah, I've tried 6 different antidepressants so far, and this one seems to be working the best. If the first one you try doesn't work, keep trying because there are loads to choose from

Do you take anti-depressants? If you do, are there any side-effects? Do they actually work?

It would be up to you. Your doctor may reccomend that you speak to a counsellor as part of treatment, but you can say no. You can also ask specifically to be referred to see a counsellor/therapist if you wanted to. x

Thank you so much

One last question, would I have to talk to a therapist/psychiatrist or just my doctor afterwatds?

Nah, you don't have to see anyone in particular, but if there's a doctor you feel more comfortable with, then you can request to see them. You definately wouldn't have to tell your colllege, but you could tell your tutor if you feel like you could use their support. Since you're 16, the doctors can't tell your parents unless they think you're a danger to yourself or someone else. You could always phone up your doctors surgery anonymously and check, or phone NHS direct.I waited until I was 18 so that I knewfor sure they wouldn't be able to contact anyone about me. Don't worry about asking questions, I'm glad I can help

Thank you, you've been so much help! I keep thinking that maybe I don't have depression, maybe I'm just a hormonal teenager so I wouldnt book any appointments in case they thought I was being silly, told me to get over it. Is there a specific doctor I have to request? Like at my doctors you get a random doctor, am I supposed to request someone? :/

I'm 16, if I'm found to have a mental condition and I'm put on medicine, would they tell my parents? Would I have to tell my college?

Sorry I'm asking so many questions, I'm just really nervous

Thanks again, Anna

I made an appointment with my doctor and when I went in to see her, I told her that I'd been feeling really low for several months and told her all the symptoms I was having like feeling low, being tearful, not wanting to do things that I used to enjoy, feeling suicidal, self harming etc. I was so nervous that I prettymuch just blurted it all out as soon as I sat down haha! She was really nice though, and gave me a questionaire to fill out, prescribed me some antidepressants and asked me to come back in a week to see how I was getting on. If you're thinking about telling your doctor, it might be helpful to write down all the symptoms/problems you've been having incase you forget when you get in there. It took me a couple of attempts to actually tell my doctor, the first time I tried, I ended up asking to go on the contraceptive pill, and the second time I pretended I was there about one of my piercings that had gotten infected. It was third time lucky for me I guess

How did you tell your doctor you thought you had depression? I know that there's something really wrong with me but I don't know what to do. Thanks for your help

Yeah of course that's okay. I only really know from my own experiences, but I'll try to help