Do homeschooled teens get depressed?

Question

I was homeschooled, but I think I have some issues with depression. Well, there, it looks like I've answered my own question. But, I'm generally well behaved. I'm described by many to be kind, gentle, loving, and always smiling. I've heard from many homeschooling parents that they have never "seen" symptoms of depression in their homeschooled teens.

I tend to hide my feelings and just smile myself away all the time. But, when I'm alone, and I know nobody is watching, and then I start bursting into tears.

If there are any homeschooled teens out there who are reading this, what do you think?

Answer 1

Yes they do.  My teenage daughter has had several times she has been very depressed. When I talk to her about it she says that its not even that she feels lonely or like she doesn't have friends.  She said that she feels like other adults(friends of ours) expect too much of her because she is more mature than her public school counterparts. She worries about more things because she doesn't worry about the same thing public school kids worry about: ie; what to wear? is so and so mad at me?  Since she is treated like an adult so often, it becomes too much of an expectation and then she feels like she gets in trouble when she acts her age.

Answer 2

I am not a teen and I was not home schooled so please take my opinion from the perspective that it is given.  Home-schooled teens do get depressed.  Why?  They are young adults working through their feelings and perceptions of the world.  They are young and idealistic and the world seems to conflict constantly with their own perceptions.  They are trying to find and make their place in the world while their bodies rage with hormones.  Are home-schooled teens any different chemically than conventionally-schooled counterparts?  That is a laughable question, don't you think?  Of course they are the same!  Both groups must come to terms with the world's thinking and their own and find a balance there in.  They must evaluate all they have learned and discard what they can't personally believe or trust. All of this emormous pressure would be enough to depress anyone but teens are new to all of this and are almost always fitted with a sense of invinsibility and an outlook of idealism.  They must fit into that ideal perspective as well, for idealism to work.  They often find they do not.  I sense that your question is deeper than what you actually asked.  It seems as if you really wanted to ask if home schoolers avoid depression because of home schooling.  Not one person can avoid depression by the choice of where and how they are educated alone.  No. That is much deeper.  In fact, I personally think that this question has a spiritual answer, not simply an answer having to do with chemical balances or societal influences.  Those who trust in the One who made them and knows them and is far greater than them and has their best innterests at His heart are the ones best able to and most likely to avoid depression.

By the way, I have issues of depression and I had even more when I was a teen.  I handle them differently and am rid of them quicker since I gave the control of my life up to Jesus and trusted Him to get me through the tough times.

Answer 3

Sure.  So do publicly schooled teens.

You did not just answer your own question.  Of course homeschooled teens can get depressed.  But depression is not exclusive to homeschooled kids.  Suicide rates among teens are rather high.  Do you imagine that all of them, or even a majority of them, are homeschooled?

There is one thing you must do:  you must tell you parents that you are depressed.  There is absolutely no need to hide it or.  Depression happens.  The good news is that it is treatable, through counseling and medication (if necessary).  Trust me, I was once very depressed.  Holding it in and hiding it did not make it go away, it only made it worse.  You must face what is making you sad; getting help from others along the way is not a failure on your part.

Answer 4

My grandson, was home schooled he doesn't seem depressed. It was his choice to be home schooled .

All children loose it when they reach the teen years. They cant  think strait , it gets better by the time you are 19. This is normal but if you fell it is something you cant handle.

Talk to some one you can trust,in your family. Or talk to the minister of your church. If you don't go to church, call up a church and ask them if you can make an appointment to talk to them.

Most of them wont charge you, and some times it is easier to talk to some one you don't know.All children probably get depressed, You need to do some walking ever time you get depressed. Please don't eat all junk food ,Your body is growing you need a well balanced meals. Feed the brain and it will sent out better signals, and exercise, help to relax the nervous system, and make you sleep.

Hope this help you, talk to us we will try to help you. Some of us may have already went through the same thing you are going through. Make some friends, and it probably doesn't have any thing to do with home schooling.

Queen Bee

Answer 5

I am not a teen, but I have been one (yep.. even old folks have been in your shoes) and been through depression.  You are not alone...depressions can affect people of all ages, male and female, ethic and economic. Yes, even rich people get depressed.  You don't have to be alone hiding those feelings. Depression is not your fault, and you didn’t do anything to cause it.  

If you want to find out answers about how you're feeling, I recommend talking to your folks about it.  Your parents can help you find the solution that works best for you.   Don't try and solve this on your own.

Here are some resources that can be beneficial to understand depression.

http://www.chillfactor.tv/images/Chill_T...

http://members.tripod.com/teenswithdepre...

If you need to talk to someone call Girls and Boys Town National Hotline [phone] and they can help you with answers. Any problem anytime.

Answer 6

when i was homeschooled i really hated it. i wanted to go to public school and be like the other children, but my parents wouldnt let me, they use to say youre do better in life then the others, they all mess around in school. i felt really depressed for ages over it. all i would do is sit there with the same person everyday. i wanted to mix with others and av different teachers but couldnt. in the end i went to my gp and told her that when i was on my own i use to sit there and cry about it becoz i was upset and depressed. dnt worry u wasnt the only 1 depressed.

Answer 7

I home schooled schooling 3. Oldest no and youngest no middle one yes

Answer 8

All teens get depressed. Its just a hormone thing. Don't worry, it will eventually go away.

Answer 9

If you are depressed, see a doctor. I don't think it has anything to do with being homeschooled or not. There are many, many PS students that deal with depression as well.

Answer 10

Anyone can get depressed not matter if they are home schooled or not.

Answer 11

Homeschooler here. Yes, I've been depressed. Majorally. But I don't think it's JUST because I'm homeschooled. Sure, it really sucks sometimes, and it gets me down, but it doesn't depress me. Not to where I'm crying. I got depressed because of family reasons.

Oh yeah, if you're ever feeling down and out, or just lonely, email me.

Answer 12

It isn't being a homeschooled teenager that is making you feel depressed...it is simply being a teenager that is making you feel the way you do.

It's your hormones; it's perfectly normal for teens to feel depressed and it *WILL* get better as your hormones settle down.

Personally I find doing exercise helps to make me feel better.

Answer 13

Any teen can get depressed.  Please get help - talk with someone - a friend, a parent, an aunt, an uncle, or a therapist.  Depression is a chemical reaction in your body.  Don't "just wait for it to go away".  Get help.

Answer 14

Well it depends on what kind of social life you have.

Do you go to the malls.

Do you take teams sports at the Parks, you know Little LEague, Soccer, Bowling.

Do you do things "normal" kids do, like ride bikes, skateboard, go to movies, go to Friendlys on your birthday for something free.

The thing of it is if you have a social life and are home schooled and depressed, you probably be just as depressed if not more so in brick school.

Certain forms of depression are not bound by social status or conditions but by phisological or psychological effects.

By and large a majority of homeschoolers are quite happy, very social, very mature and very well educated (you didn't tell us how you are doing academically).

A few get bored.  A few get angry.  A few feel socially left out.

If you are forced not to have a social life, then it is the parents fault.

If you choose not to have one, that is free will.

You will not have one in a brick school either.

Answer 15

I'm not a homeschooled teen, but I imagine that homeschooled teens can have issues in their lives, and hormonal imbalances in their lives, which could be a cause for depression. I think it's less likely to happen when homeschooling, but I certainly think it can and does happen.

I was depressed as a teen (in public school). I can very much relate to what you have shared. It was the same thing: a good 'act' for everybody around me, then sadness and tears when alone. Just do your best to focus on the positives in life, a direction you want to move in, anything other than the sadness. While we can acknowledge the sadness and see if there's something we can change to remove it, often at that age it's just a lingering, unexplainable sadness. The key is to keep taking the smallest step towards something happier. You might also see about finding a counsellor, even just stopping in some church one day and talking to the pastor/priest. There are people out there who are willing to listen without any judgement.

Answer 16

Depression strikes anyone even those who aren't homeschooled. Depression depends on individuals on how they are affected by their environment.

Some High school students get depressed because of bullies, treated as an outcast, or having feelings of inferiority especially when they have classmates who are rich, gorgeous and popular.

Those who are homeschooled get depressed because of the feeling of loneliness. You must've missed having a normal school life with friends. Why don't you take a break when you feel depressed, contact some friends and hang out.

Answer 17

I get bored sometimes but I don't tell anybody cause when I'm bored, mom gives me more work.  I find things to do.

I got depressed in public school.

Answer 18

Well, we all have "hormones" and so our emotions are alot of times screwed up.I have to say that I'm not depressed, and I homeschool, maybe you should find someone your close to and talk, maybe bottling up your feelings to where no one sees them is causing the problem.

Answer 19

Well I am 13 but i dont get depress i just get bored i guess the resin i dont get depress is because i have 1 brother 2 sister but you should not get depress no matter wat  ok bye.♠

P.S.  If you get Depress think of something funny or fill a bunches of ballons up and throw it at people ok,hmm maybe I should do that one day see ya.♪♫☻♠♦◘•♣