mrAnderson
New member
Greetings everyone. I figured I should introduce myself before posting on this forum. So here goes.
I'm 16 years old, from a very small town in a rural area, right in the middle of the Bible belt. Considering my major interest is that of science, specifically evolutionary Biology and Cosmological Physics, it can be a bit tough to enjoy my hobby. I hope to one day obtain a PhD. in physics and teach college while researching new phenomena.
Though I haven't been officially diagnosed, I feel that I am a victim of depression. It all started when I was thirteen; or at least that's when I can remember my first account of true depression. It started off slowly, but I began to realize I just wasn't as happy as I used to be. I would lie around the house with virtually no energy and no desire to do anything. I had this huge lump in my throat no matter what-I just felt down. I could not find a reason for it either. I felt like I had lost my best fried but could not for the life of me figure out why.
This has followed me for the past 3 years. Generally if I was occupied with something that took a lot of thought or concentration, I was able to get my mind off of the depression, but as soon as I try to watch TV or something, I would feel that low feeling again. I refused to take medication because I always feared it would worsen the problem.
When I was born I was diagnosed with Von-Hipple Lindau (VHL) disease. It's a genetic disease that can affect your eyes, brain, adrenal glands, spine, and pancreas. So far the disease has blinded me in my left eye and I had to have my adrenal glands removed when I was 10. I think this has contributed to my depression over the years. A short while ago there was a decline in my health due to the disease and I hit a real rut. I feel ashamed to admit that, as it makes it seem as if I am feeling sorry for myself, and I suppose I am to some extent.
There was a time until about a year ago that I was addicted to pain medication. The high pressure in my left eye due to the tumor that has claimed my site, and a weakened disc in my back have caused me intense pain. The doctors tried a few procedures that didn't work, and prescribed me some medication that I won't name. This was when I was around 14. Time went on and there really wasn't much they could do for my eye/back for a person my age, so I would just take the pills to mask the pain.
About a year ago I went through a "detox." I went for a week and didn't sleep, would toss and turn and have fevers, be really sick, and be in intense pain. It was probably the worst week of my life and definitely the most painful. Fortunately my parents weren't aware of my addiction and I finally changed my medication and it manages the pain quite well.
Ironically I don't feel as depressed anymore. I'm quite happy most of the time and I haven't had to deal with severe lows in awhile. Occasionally I'll have some mild depressing moments, but I think they are the result of me being a teenager. I'm glad to say that through my experiences I've become a more understanding person.
In conclusion, I'm here to help anyone who has had similar issues throughout their life. I hope to help as many people as I can.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I look forward to talking to some of you in the future.
I'm 16 years old, from a very small town in a rural area, right in the middle of the Bible belt. Considering my major interest is that of science, specifically evolutionary Biology and Cosmological Physics, it can be a bit tough to enjoy my hobby. I hope to one day obtain a PhD. in physics and teach college while researching new phenomena.
Though I haven't been officially diagnosed, I feel that I am a victim of depression. It all started when I was thirteen; or at least that's when I can remember my first account of true depression. It started off slowly, but I began to realize I just wasn't as happy as I used to be. I would lie around the house with virtually no energy and no desire to do anything. I had this huge lump in my throat no matter what-I just felt down. I could not find a reason for it either. I felt like I had lost my best fried but could not for the life of me figure out why.
This has followed me for the past 3 years. Generally if I was occupied with something that took a lot of thought or concentration, I was able to get my mind off of the depression, but as soon as I try to watch TV or something, I would feel that low feeling again. I refused to take medication because I always feared it would worsen the problem.
When I was born I was diagnosed with Von-Hipple Lindau (VHL) disease. It's a genetic disease that can affect your eyes, brain, adrenal glands, spine, and pancreas. So far the disease has blinded me in my left eye and I had to have my adrenal glands removed when I was 10. I think this has contributed to my depression over the years. A short while ago there was a decline in my health due to the disease and I hit a real rut. I feel ashamed to admit that, as it makes it seem as if I am feeling sorry for myself, and I suppose I am to some extent.
There was a time until about a year ago that I was addicted to pain medication. The high pressure in my left eye due to the tumor that has claimed my site, and a weakened disc in my back have caused me intense pain. The doctors tried a few procedures that didn't work, and prescribed me some medication that I won't name. This was when I was around 14. Time went on and there really wasn't much they could do for my eye/back for a person my age, so I would just take the pills to mask the pain.
About a year ago I went through a "detox." I went for a week and didn't sleep, would toss and turn and have fevers, be really sick, and be in intense pain. It was probably the worst week of my life and definitely the most painful. Fortunately my parents weren't aware of my addiction and I finally changed my medication and it manages the pain quite well.
Ironically I don't feel as depressed anymore. I'm quite happy most of the time and I haven't had to deal with severe lows in awhile. Occasionally I'll have some mild depressing moments, but I think they are the result of me being a teenager. I'm glad to say that through my experiences I've become a more understanding person.
In conclusion, I'm here to help anyone who has had similar issues throughout their life. I hope to help as many people as I can.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I look forward to talking to some of you in the future.
