TeenHealthFX - Answers - Depressed, Cutting, And Anxious

Depression / Question
Published: February 25, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I am currently quite depressed and dealing with confusion of sexuality, cutting and anxiety. My parents and friends always blame my cutting for the music i listen to. The music is what keeps me alive. Those depressing songs tell me that i'm not the only one. Should I stop listening to it and go with my parents? Please answer ASAP

Signed: Depressed, Cutting, And Anxious - Is My Music The Cause?

Dear Depressed, Cutting, And Anxious - Is My Music The Cause?,

TeenHealthFX cannot say whether or not your music is influencing how depressed you are feeling and whether or not you self-harm. Sometimes the music we listen to can impact our mood – music can influence a person to feel more energetic, happier, more angry, or more sad. On the other hand, it is very possible that there is some other cause altogether that leads you to self-cut and draws you to the music you listen to.

FX thinks that it is very important for you to meet with a mental health professional. A therapist can help to determine if you are dealing with a depressive or anxiety disorder and work out an effective treatment plan with you in the event that you are. A therapist can also help you to talk about the confusion you are having about your sexual orientation. Questioning one’s sexual orientation can be a difficult time in terms of how it feels to that person to be gay or bisexual, as well as any concerns about how the people close to them will react. It can be very helpful to have someone there for guidance and support as you try and figure this out and work towards a place of peace and acceptance about who you are.

Finally, FX thinks that it would be very helpful for your parents to be included in the therapy at some point. It is important that your parents have an accurate understanding of what is contributing to your depression, anxiety and cutting, and it would be very helpful to you if your parents could work on being there for you in a more caring and supportive way as you deal with all of this.

If you feel your music is helpful to you, then keep listening to it for now. But once you are connected with a therapist, explore this issue about whether this music in ultimately helping or hurting your emotional well-being.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

You can also contact the Self-Injury Hotline (information only, not a crisis line) at 1-800-DON’T-CUT, 1-800-366-8288.

Signed: TeenHealthFX