Do I need counseling, or is all this depression just hormones?

Okay, so I am a teenage girl about to enter her first year in high school. I've randomly had mood swings and horrible emotions. Some of my peers will tell me I'm pretty and smart and talented, but when I look in a mirror, all I can see is a loser with over 20 zits, horrible complexion, and nothing that she's good at. I have not been able to get any boys remotely interested in me, and that gives a huge blow to my esteem. I am on honor roll, and my mom promised me $100 if I got all a's. I tried very hard, but at the end of the semester I had 1 b, and it was an 89. I became more saddened than I should have been. I try multiple things to get me happy (i.e. Helping less fortunate, excercizing, etc.) but nothing really worked. A few months ago I got in a car crash with a drunk driver, and if that wasn't enough the day I came back almost no one said they were glad I was alive. I've also started to randomly contemplate suicide. Do I need counseling, or is all this depression just hormones?

I'm sorry to tell you this, sweetie, but what you're going through is 'normal'.

The mood swings, the acne (zits), feeling useless & worthless- they're normal teenage events, which are related to your adolescent hormonal imbalance. However, you don't have to suffer as much as you are. I would suggest you go & see your doctor- he/she can help with your skin problems & complexion & might possibly be able to help with your mood swings.

There are steriod creams that work for most kinds of acne & for female teenagers, sometimes a contraceptive pill can help level out your hormones. While most people tend to think that 'The Pill' is to stop unwanted pregnancies; it's made up of different levels of hormones (i.e; progesteron, oestrogen, etc) and can work brilliantly to clear up acne & level out moods. You may feel you are a little too young for this option & I would suggest you talk to your G.P and your mum (or at least, a trusted adult), before going ahead & deciding what you should do. As I say, there are also creams & face-washes- in addition to laser treatment & special diets- that can help with your skin, but they won't help with your mood swings.

Or you can ride out the storm for the next few years! The thing about what you're going through is that it WILL end. It's just a process your body has to go through to get to its physical adulthood- but rest assured- it's very normal.

Good Luck.