There's loads on my mind but I've always been a thinker and worrier. I think I have OCD also. I can't ring Samaritans because my Mum is one. Anyway - I recently turned 18 (last month) and my family made a big effort but I felt really depressed and it hasn't worn off. I also feel like I wasted by 18th by not doing anything for being too depressed. I cannot tell my family about any of this as it would worry then stupid. Please help. How I feel is so hard to type. I don't even know why I'm depressed. I think I just want to keep being a kid. ONE of my issues is that I miss my childhood so much. I don't like big changes. I miss being at my Nan and Granddads old house and them playing with me and all that stuff. I'm so miserable and that is only one of the reasons but I think it is responsible for my 18th BD depression. NOTE - I feel even worse as my family knew I didn't want a party so they went all out to make my day special. I feel terrible for not enjoying it on the inside... I always saw Birthdays and Chrstmas as an anti climax anyway and often worry about wheter some people will be there to celebrate it next year. Horrible, horrible thoughts about this kind of thing often. Is these birthday blues natural? I am 18 and Male.
Hi anon
I don't think you are alone in this. There are many people who get anxious or depressed on their birthday. And you are going through a life transition. I remember...so long ago now...when I was your age and wondering what would come next and if I could handle it. I did handle it and you will too. And who says you still can't be a kid at heart? I still love going to the toy store or going to Walt Disney World or eating cotton candy. You can still have fun and be an adult.
I hope you are feeling better. If things are not going well and your depressed mood is interfering with your daily routine, sleeping, or eating...it might be time to think about talking to a counselor or therapist.
Hang in there and Happy Belated Birthday.
I always get blue around my birthday and christmas. I feel like I worry that if I get my hopes up, it wont live up to my expectations of it.
I find that the best thing to do is make the best of any situation. It may not be easy, but it's good to try to do.
As for turning 18 and wanting to stay a child, I can understand. I turned 18 in February and I'm moving into my own apartment in about a month. I'm really nervous about it, but I know it's time for me to grow up, and that I'm ready.
Whoever said that growing up was easy lied, it is not, but it is one of life's necessary evi.ls. I think that when one has to grow up here comes lif responsibility. I have two daugthers, 27 & 26, I talk to them all the time. I stop the birthday celebrations when they were 10 yrs old, I told them, this is it enjoy it because life begins at 10. Was that harsh, I do not think so. The reason I say that is I did my utmost best to try and prepare them for real life. I let them know at an early age, the world does not love you only mom & dad gma & grandpa. You are going to have to make your way, was that harsh, no it prepared them for life, because I may not alway be around. I tried to give them the self confidence that they would need to make it in this world. Just as you guys are smart people, you can make it, you do not need birthday celebrations to say you are special, you are SPECIAL, it is a poor frog that does not praise his own pond! Happy Birthday, stop worrying about things that you can do nothing about, if you can change things change them, it not keep it moving!
Happy Birtthday from sherry/smomdukes
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