How Do I Tell My Parents I'm Depressed?

It isn't uncommon to experience bouts of depression when you're a teenager. According to teendepression.org, about 20 percent of adolescents experience depression before they become adults. Although most episodes of teen depression lift within a week or two, yours may not. If hanging out with your friends and participating in your favorite activities isn't snapping you out of your sadness, then you're wise to talk to your parents and tell them you're depressed.

Place and Time

• Pick a quiet place where you can talk to one or both of your parents in private. Ask them to come to your room, or go for a walk. Just tell them you need to talk. You've been feeling depressed and need some help.

  If your relationship has been rocky and you've been arguing a lot, pick a time when you're not in the heat of battle. You may need to begin the conversation by apologizing for any bad behavior. Then tell them you're depressed and can't seem to shake it.

Preparation

• If you're worried about how you're going to get the words out of your mouth, you may want to leave them a note, or send them a text or e-mail. Tell mom and/or dad it's important and you'd like to get together with them as soon as possible.

  If you're not sure how you're going to explain your feelings once the talk gets started, write down everything you want to say ahead of time. You don't have to read what you wrote verbatim, but you can have it with you, in your hand or in your pocket. Then just pull it out if you lose your way during the conversation.

Honesty

• Once you've told your parents you're depressed, give them as many details as possible so they can better understand what you're going through and how they can help you. Tell them how long you've been sad. Tell them if you're feeling angry or if you feel like hurting yourself or have thoughts of suicide. Remember: everyone feels angry and almost everyone has had thoughts of suicide at one time or another. This doesn't make you crazy; it makes you human.

  Let them know if you're having problems at school. Are you being bullied or teased? Are you having trouble with your grades? Did you recently break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend?

  Lastly, tell them if you're having any physical problems such as headaches or extreme tiredness. Sometimes there are physical reasons for depression and a doctor will know how to treat the medical problem so you'll feel better again.

Support

• Your parents will probably want to do all they can to help you, but if you're worried they're going to be angry or disappointed in you, you may want to have a trusted brother, sister or friend sit in on the conversation. Another person who knows you really well could help explain your feelings of depression to your parents.