Crying and Laughing at the Same Time
TeenHealthFX feels strongly that it would be a good idea if you followed up with your doctor. He/She can address your medical symptoms as well as recommend a therapist who could deal with your other symptoms. Many of the indicators you described are consistent with signs of depression. Feeling empty, devastated, disturbance of affect (crying and laughing) and not having any control over it, are concrete indicators that depression or another disorder is present. Part of your doctor’s training is to recognize symptoms that have are physical or emotional in nature. If there is no medical explanation for what you have been experiencing, then your doctor will refer you to a mental health professional to look at the emotional aspect.
No matter what you are experiencing, TeenHealthFX can promise you that drinking and smoking “a lot,” does nothing to address the underlying problem. Any brief relief that substance abuse provides, doesn’t do anything to resolve the underlying issue and can lead to dependence.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health in Morristown 973-971-6475 or the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health in Summit at 908-522-5757 for an appointment. Outside this area you can check with your insurance carrier or a local Teen Health Center