I think I might have depression.

[Jess1791]

        It’s not that I can’t be happy it’s just a LOT harder to be happy without someone else making me laugh or smile. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed I just want to lay there. The longest bout I’ve been through had been 4 days, but every once in a while it sneaks up on me and goes on for about a day and its hell. I won’t want to do anything and I’ll just cry.  
        My short term memory is shot. Just today at work I thought something was in a certain place when in fact it had been moved a month ago, but I just forgot. My mom will tell me to do something on the phone, but I won’t remember what she said when I hang up. It’s almost if I’m distracted but I’m not thinking about anything it’s just a blank. Sometimes I can’t even THINK literally. When I try to it just transitions into a blur, a blank. It’s almost like I can’t be by myself anymore because I’ll just end up furthering depressing myself.  I’ve never thought about committing suicide, I just feel so lost.
         I can almost feel myself becoming more and more isolated from my friends. I just wish I could go back to the way I was last year, but I don’t know how to. I was super confident, self assured, and filled with joy. Now a day I feel so inadequate from everyone else, like I’m always saying or doing the wrong thing.
I’m sorry this is so long I just really wanted some advice. Thank you.
FYI: I’m a 17 year old female if that makes a difference.

[LeftCoastChick]

You're doing the right thing Jess, kudos to you!

Hensley, you are quite right :)  I'm glad they are coming out with more specific drug studies, some of these drugs just are deadly to the growing brain.

[samsmoney]

what you are saying doesn't mean that you are having depression. These symptoms which you have told may be symptoms of any other disease so you need to check out with the doctor and he/she can explain you everything. If doctor says its depression than you have to relax and not to see everything in a negative manner around you. I have found one great article on depression which can also help you.

http://www.ehealthcaretips.com/depression-–-lone-galleries-of-negativity.html

[Jess1791]

Thank you for all of your advice. I'll talk to my mom about paying a visit to our family doctor.

[Hensley258]

I'm speaking mainly of the effect that SSRI's and SNRI drugs have on people of youth.

Not sure about other drugs and how they may help or hurt younger people.

Like I said, in some cases Major depression can strike very young people. I was 13 when I had my first panic attack. At that time it had not yet manifested itself into full blown Major depression, but I was more sad than a youth should have been.

I'm just saying that it is cause for concern and getting a professional opinion may be in her best interest.

[LeftCoastChick]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree, they have only stated that SSRI/SNRI's are not for people under 18. There are quite a few drugs out there that can help out.

I have had Major Depression since I was 7, not just I've had a bad day sort of thing. Crying, crankiness, bad memory and isolation.

There are also 5 types of depression out there, as well,  and/or you may have a physical issue that's causing you to feel depressed.

Please go see your family doctor, we can support you here, but we can't diagnose you.
I

[Hensley258]

Try not to be too fast to diagnose yourself with Major Depression.

Yes, a few of the symptoms you described can be symptoms of major Depression, but there are many others also.

Generally Major depression doesn't strike people so young, but it can in some cases.

If this problem is effecting the quality of life then it is worth getting checked out by a therapist.

I would caution you against taking any medication for this at such a young age. For reasons unkown, many people under the age of 21 have very bad reactions to antidepressant medications.