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What should I do if I'm 17 and feeling hopeless, depressed, and having daily headaches?
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Mental & Emotional Health
Question #29627
93 days ago
274

What should I do if I'm 17 and feeling hopeless, depressed, and having daily headaches?

Client_11fc69

hello doctor. i am 17 year old.....and i am feeling so hopeless and alone ....I feel very depressed. It’s been a year, and not a single day passes without me crying. I feel extremely lonely. I have headaches every day, and I prefer to stay distant from everyone. Even my parents are not supportive. I’ve tried a lot, but I’m still unable to heal from all of this....now my condition is that kind of worst mentally that i really dont want to live..

How long have you been feeling this way?:

- More than a year

On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your feelings of hopelessness?:

- 10 (extremely severe)

Have you experienced any changes in your appetite or sleep patterns?:

- Decreased appetite/sleep

Do you have any support from friends or family members?:

- Not supportive

Have you had any thoughts of self-harm or suicide?:

- Yes, frequently

What activities do you usually enjoy or used to enjoy?:

- I don't enjoy anything anymore

Have you sought any help before for these feelings?:

- Talked to a friend or family member
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Doctors' responses

Hello

I’m really sorry you’re feeling this much pain. Feeling hopeless, crying every day for a year, having daily headaches, and especially feeling like you don’t want to live are very serious signs of depression, most commonly a condition like Major Depressive Disorder. What you’re describing is not weakness or failure—it’s a medical and emotional condition that deserves real support and treatment.

Because you’re 17 and having frequent thoughts about not wanting to live, this is a situation where you should not handle it alone. The most important step right now is to get support from a real person as soon as possible. That could be a trusted adult such as a relative, teacher, school counselor, doctor, or another responsible adult—even if your parents feel unsupportive. If you ever feel like you might act on these thoughts or feel unsafe, you should seek urgent help immediately, such as going to the nearest hospital emergency department or contacting a crisis helpline.

Daily headaches are also very common in depression and chronic stress, especially when sleep and appetite are reduced. Treating the depression usually improves the headaches as well. Treatment can include counseling or therapy, lifestyle support, and sometimes medication, and many teenagers recover with the right help.

Right now, the key thing is safety and support. You deserve relief from this pain, and there are people whose job is to help you through exactly this kind of situation.

If you’re in India, you can reach confidential support anytime through organizations like Kiran Mental Health Helpline by calling 1800-599-0019, or AASRA at 91-9820466726. These services are free, confidential, and available even for young people.

Take care Feel free to talk

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Hello I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It’s really important to talk to someone who can help you, like a mental health professional or a trusted adult. You don’t have to go through this alone, and there are people who can support you.

Feeling hopeless and alone can be incredibly tough, especially at your age. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s a brave step to reach out. Please consider talking to a counselor or therapist who can provide you with the support you need.

If you’re in immediate distress or thinking about harming yourself, please reach out to a helpline or a trusted person in your life. You deserve to feel better and to have support. Remember, it’s okay to seek help, and you are not alone in this.

Thank you

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Your description suggests a serious psychological struggle alongside physical symptoms like daily headaches, which can manifest or worsen with stress, anxiety, or depression. It’s important to address these issues together and not ignore the psychological aspect. First, reaching out for professional help is crucial. A mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can provide both support and, if needed, therapy or medication to help you begin recovering from these depressive feelings. Speaking to a doctor about these daily headaches is also essential since they could either be a symptom of psychological distress or indicate an unrelated physical issue. A healthcare provider may recommend therapeutic options, lifestyle changes, or further investigation like imaging tests depending on the headaches’ characteristics. Take note of these symptoms’ circumstances: intensity, location, duration, or associated factors, as that might aid diagnosis. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or having thoughts of self-harm, contact emergency services or hotlines. It’s crucial to attend these feelings with urgency, as life quality and safety are priorities. In parallel, try to incorporate small, manageable self-care activities; establishing routines or connecting with things you enjoy could anchor you during therapy. Seeking support groups or online communities can provide a safe space to share without feeling judged or isolated. Remember, social support sometimes starts outside the home, and you deserve an environment that fosters well-being.

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Hello dear See you are a young male and definitely due to hormonal alterations these chances occur. It is not abnormalities but anxiety do create problems Iam suggesting some methods for improvement Please follow them for atleast two months Do physical exercise atleast half an hour daily for 5 months Do meditation Take good balanced diet for good health Engage in social media Indulge in hobbies like reading and writing Avoid overthinking Avoid junk food and alcohol/ smoking Set your goals for every day Hopefully improvement will occur In case of no improvement in 2 month consult psychiatrist in person for better clarity Regards

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Hi… I’m really sorry that you’ve been going through this. What you’re describing sounds very heavy and exhausting, and feeling this way every day for a year can make anyone feel hopeless. I want to be very clear about one thing first that If you are having thoughts about not wanting to live, this is serious and you deserve immediate support. You should not handle this alone. Your symptoms suggest a severe depressive episode. This is a medical condition, not a weakness, and it is treatable. Please reach out to someone immediately today like A trusted adult (relative, teacher, school counselor), A doctor or psychiatrist or A mental health helpline in your area. If you feel like you might act on these thoughts then Go to the nearest hospital or emergency department immediately or ask someone to take you. You are not alone, even if it feels that way. I understand you said your parents are not supportive, but please still try to Speak to any one safe adult or Even a teacher or school authority can help connect you to care. Daily headaches can be related to Ongoing stress and depression, Poor sleep or Emotional strain. They usually improve when the mental health condition is treated. With proper help, doctors can offer Counselling/therapy, Medications if needed or Support systems to help you feel safe and heard. Many people in similar situations do recover and feel better with treatment. Small steps for now- Try not to stay completely alone, be around people even if you don’t talk much. Maintain basic routine (eat small meals, try to sleep). Avoid isolating yourself completely in your room. If thoughts get intense, distract yourself immediately (music, walking, calling someone). Right now, your mind is telling you that things won’t improve, but that is a symptom of depression, not reality. Your life has value, and this phase can be treated.

Feel free to reach out again.

Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine

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I hear you, and I need you to take this very seriously. You are 17, feeling hopeless, crying daily, with frequent thoughts of not wanting to live. This is a medical emergency.


What you must do right now:

1. Call a suicide prevention helpline immediately – it’s free and confidential:

· India: iCall – 9152987821 (available 8 AM–10 PM) or 988 (national helpline) · AASRA – 9820466726 (24/7) · Snehi – 011-65978180

2. Tell a trusted adult today – a school counselor, teacher, school nurse, or any relative who listens. If your parents aren’t supportive, find someone else.

3. Go to the nearest Emergency Room – tell them “I want to hurt myself” or “I don’t want to live.” They will keep you safe and start treatment.


Why you feel this way (medically):

· Severe depression – hopelessness, crying daily, loss of pleasure, suicidal thoughts. This is a brain chemistry problem, not a personal failure. · Daily headaches – very common in teenage depression (tension-type or migraine). Treating depression often stops the headaches. · No support – makes everything harder, but you can still recover with professional help.


What treatment works for someone your age:

· Talk therapy (CBT or IPT) – helps change negative thought patterns · Antidepressant medication (SSRIs like fluoxetine, escitalopram) – safe for teens under doctor supervision · Family therapy – to help parents understand what you’re going through

These treatments are highly effective. Most teens feel significantly better within 6–8 weeks.


What to do tonight:

· Remove access to anything you could use to harm yourself · Stay near someone – even just being in the same room as a friend online can help · Call a helpline before going to sleep


You matter. This feeling can and will change with help. Please make that call or go to the ER now.

— Dr. Nikhil Chauhan

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Feeling this level of loneliness, daily crying, headaches, and losing interest in everything for so long is a heavy burden, and the fact that you’re having thoughts about not wanting to live shows how overwhelmed you’ve been—it’s not something you should have to handle alone. What you’re describing is very consistent with Depression, and it is treatable, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. The most important step is to reach out for immediate support—if you can, please tell a trusted adult (relative, teacher, school counselor) or contact a local mental health helpline right now, especially since you’re having frequent thoughts of self-harm. If those thoughts feel strong or you feel unsafe, please go to the nearest hospital or emergency service without delay. You deserve help, care, and to feel better, even if your current environment is not supportive. Alongside professional help, try small steps like not isolating completely, keeping a simple routine, and expressing your feelings through writing or talking to someone safe. With the right support—therapy, and sometimes medication—people in similar situations do improve significantly. You are not alone in this, even if it feels that way right now, and there are people who want to help you through this.

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