Dealing with depression at seventeen and parents offer little support

I am seventeen years old and have been dealing with what is to be believed by medical professionals as chronic/severe depression. I am down and out most of the time, only putting on a happy face for appearances. Most days, I come home from school exhausted and sleep or lay down from dusk to dawn.
I feel it is pretty obvious that my mental health is not all the healthy, but my parents have a difficult time understanding this. My father gets very frustrated with me, thinking I am just being lazy or using excuses for my lack of energy. My mother just cries at the mention of me not being perfect, calling herself a bad mother, which makes me feel even more guilty.
Without a home support system, as well as lacking the money and insurance for psychological help such as therapy or medication, I don't really know what to do anymore or who to turn too.
Is it normal to feel there aren't many places or people to turn to? Or is it just me acting like a spoiled brat?
If anyone has any suggestions on how I should handle my parents or my depression or anything at all, please comment below.

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Based on 13 votes (11 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • Lonely2

    Most schools have counseling services linked to them in some way. You tell a guidance counselor or school social worker whats going on and they can refer you.

    Most towns have sliding scale services as well through your community mental health center.

    You want to see a doctor or a psychitrist that is trained in evaluating and diagnosing first, then possibly counseling, if those things dont work you try medication .

    You also can go to your family doctor

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  • thegypsysailor

    Are there not guidance counselors at your school you could talk to? A nurse?
    Is there no public health service where you live? Or free clinics? If you want help I'm sure it's out there, but you won't get it if you don't make the first move.

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  • noid

    Since the other posters so far are against antidepressants let me just add that they do help some people a lot.

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  • Steve2WantsTheManagement2Reply

    Unfortunately, you will most likely be depressed and miserable for the rest of your life. Our world is a depressing and horrible place, if you are miserable as a child, just wait until you're an adult.

    Our society is abhorrent and our world is a pathetic shithole of regret and painfully futile hope, so it amazes me that ANYONE can find even a trace of happiness in their lives.

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  • Kandy_

    Yes teen years can be very stressful you have a lot of new hormones raging in your body. Please remember that doctors work with pharamasutical companies, and the doctor would not be in business if you don't continue getting sick so they only give you treatments not cures so you will be dependant on them. Try excercising it releases the same endomorphins as found in some depression medication. Write down what you love what makes you happy. Do what makes you happy. Write what makes you upset, can try to see if you can fix it or just leave it alone. Find God he will see you through

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    • bucho's_butt

      Haha no it doesn't. Exercising releases the same kinds of endogenous chemicals that pain killers do (which I suppose you could argue ARE anti depressants). Anti depressants just off set the balance of serotonin in your brain causing you to become even more depressed and helpless.

      But yeah, I agree with the rest of your post.

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  • bucho's_butt

    Thank god you're not taking medication. That shit is the worst thing you could ever do. You wanna find out what REAL depression feels like? Take some anti depressants. It's going to be ok. You're 17 and living in a vicious, fucked up world. It's normal to be depressed. Eventually, your hormones will start to level out and you will start experiencing some of the few joys in life and you will get a renewed sense of well being. For now, just trudge along and try to be successful in whatever endeavors you're into. Graduate school, get a job, get more schooling, meet new people, whatever.

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  • heckleBucker

    The answer is to MASTURBATE!!! Especially if you're a girl. Get a magazine about non-threatening boys. Read it and feel enchanted. Start reading romance novels and erotica. Get eye make up. Be sexier. Exercise. Join sports. And finally, fucking bake cookies!!!

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