This is out to those who had to go through high school with depression. Was it difficult to stay motivated?

I'm 17 and recently discovered I was depressed. It's from family problems, but I don't want to go into it right now. I'm going into grade 12. High school has just been really bad so far. I did horrible in grade 9. My highest mark was a 70, and that was in gym and I'm not even good at sports and all that. I just got 70 because of health tests and because I'm a good runner. I did better in grade 10, but still had some problems with motivation. I actually got a couple A's. Grade 11 wasn't so good either. My work ethic went way down, even in the classes that I loved. I started skipping school almost every other day because I just couldn't put up with the people. I stopped handing in assignments and I just isolate myself all the time. I'm gettin counselling and it's helping me to do better. I'm doing my best to stay motivated, but it's difficult as I'm surrounded by so many negative people. Well that's my experience. Was it difficult for any of you out there who had depression?

Also I discovered I was depressed through my school social worker halfway through my second semester. Right after that was when things went down hill. I had problems in my first semester as well though, though they weren't as severe.

I know how you feel. I was very depressed throughout highschool and suffered from anxiety. I saw no point in the work and had no motivation at all, nor did I like the people around me. This was beside the relationship problems I had. But I eventually got through it. Just keep your head up. Just one more year and you will be free. You'll feel like a bird out of a cage and it'll be great. But at least you are seeking help. I never did and I think its something I should have done. You will feel so good when you get through it all. Trust me. :)

Yeah, well it still is at the moment. I'm in yr 11. It's very difficult because my parents and brother are kinda putting pressure on me to do well, but I don't see the point in doing the work at all. Even if the classes are fun I tend not to do the work.

Think of college, and how being out in the world and able to support yourself would help you. That was my biggest goal.

Dealing with depression at any time in your life is difficult. Seeing a counselor is awesome, you should keep that up. They will help change your mindset, and eventually your actions will reflect this different mindset (ie you will get motivated and your grades will raise). I actually delt with depression in high school after a really good friend died. I turned to art to cope and it really helped in keeping me motivated. You should try to find something that you really enjoy doing and incorporate that into school work like art or writing, it helps by getting emotions out of your head so you're not always concentrated on the bed stuff. Another way to motivate yourself is give yourself a long term goal and reward with short term goals and rewards as steps. For example short term set out that how you will study or do HW everyday by saying finish HW before tv or video games, or study so many hours eachday for an upcoming test (this works well when you have a schedule to work around). For long term an example would be if I get an A I will get a new game or even bigger take a trip or buy something you've wanted for awhile. Obviously these require money but you can get creative. Also you'll have to get a friend or family member to hold you accountable, but with time you can do this on your own. I'm in college now and I still do this. My last one was if I got straight A's I could get a new tattoo, and I wasn't able to get straight A's so it's my next semesters goal and reward.