i think im depressed

i think im depressed but im not sure. at school, im never sad im happy and always joking. but at home sometimes when im alone i just burst out crying. i have 3 sisters and 1 of them is my twin, but they r not close to me, especially my twin. i wouldnt talk to my parents,friends,or family memebers about something like this, they r not those kind of people, especially,my twin and parents. i could never talk to them about persoanl stuff. im only 12 and my twin has an opinion for everything i like that she doesnt and they are not good. i feel so apart from my family and i dont try new things or say things because i am afraid of what  my twin and family and friendz will say or think. i have no confidence what so ever. lately i have started likeing the guitar and skateboard, now im not so sure, my twin says im turning into a gothic freak, which is not true. my mother says i also have a nervous condidtion and made me see a shrink once. it didnt work. now my twin calls me a phsyco. in front of my family and friends i hide my feelings, im so bottled up inside, but ill never say anything! what would people say? i know it doesnt matter what they think or say but to me it does. -Amanda

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Don't put too much stock in the single appointment you had with the 'shrink'. You can receive help, and it wouldbe wise to become involved in some counselling. If this is too hard to bring up in your family, approach someone you truct at school, or approach a good family friend or adult relative with whom you have a positive relationship. Whomever you approach can then talk about the matter with your parents.