Struggling

[Noel_xo]

I'm 13 and I'm struggling with depression and anxiety, I'm struggling with school and feel like I'm failing. I'm in all the top classes at my school which makes things even harder becuase most of the time we work at at a senior level. My mom doesn't know about my depression and anxiety and she doesn't know that I'm failing. I have no motivation to do anything and all I want to do is sleep. I began cutting towards the end of last year but have since stopped. It's hard not to cut but I'm trying to overcome it, my mom still thinks I'm her innocent angel that is working well in school and having the time of my life. And I will be receiving my report card in a week or two and I haven't handed in 3 Assesment tasks becuase I have rather forgotten about them or not been able to do them even with help. She is going to be super mad at me. My mom is very loving and caring but I know she won't be happy with my grades and I really want to tell her about my anxiety and depression but I'm scared she will want me to go to therapists and all of that and it will become a bigger thing than it needs to be. I want to overcome my depression and anxiety and fix my school grades and I was just starting to until my best friend that was a guy stopped talking to me becuase other girls were telling him stuff about me and he believed it... That dug a deeper hole for me and I don't want to go down any further. I want to bring myself up.

Does anyone have any advice that might help me tell my mom a bit easier? I know I probably didn't make any sense but I feel like I need some advice from people... I don't have any other adults I can really trust unless I go to the school counsellor but I don't know her... Thank you in advance to anyone who replies...

[tonyb286]

Hi. I've been where you are now, as have many adults, so try not to get too worked up over this. It's more common than you might think and even some of your closest school friends may be going through this right now, just like you. The trouble is, we all try to hide these feelings, try to look 'normal' and act normally - even though we feel like we are falling apart inside.

First things first ... tell your Mom. Even if you can't sit down and tell her face-to-face, why not try writing her a letter to explain how you feel and what's been happening to you. The last thing she will want is you feeling dreadful, so the sooner she can get involved and offer her support and help the better. You can hand her the letter or just leave it for her - and once she's read it, you can both sit down and go through things properly. Believe me, this is the best thing you could do.

It is very normal to feel tired and depressed when you are 13 years old. Your body is going through a huge number of changes and this has an effect on your neurological system. It affects how you think - and (this is important) it is temporary. These feelings will pass. But right now you need some support, some empathy from those that love you and maybe (worth asking) some sup[port from your school counselor. The fact that you don't know them is sometimes better, because they won't pre-judge you, they will just offer their professional help.

Hoping this helps. Be brave - tell your Mom what's happening. You won't regret it.

Tony

[Amey33]

You are not alone. The good thing is you know what's causing your anxiety. Telling your mom will take a lot of the pressure off of you. You say your mom is a loving mom. You just need to sit down and tell her everything you just told us. School and friends can be hard growing up and a once straight A student now might be a c-d student. Your young and and have your whole life a headed of you. If you need to talk to the student counselor that's what you need to do she would  be able to help you with the school work. But telling your mom and getting it out willake you feel better in the end. Good luck honey it will all work out. Moms love there kids and only want the best for them