Should I see a psychiatrist?

Hey. I'm 18. My issue is that I have absolutely no clue what to do with my life—honestly, there are moments where I regret even being alive. I know people say I'm young, but it feels like I've already seen everything there is to see; I'm just bored with existence. Nothing fulfills me. I’m stuck in a constant state of depression, and even when I stumble upon something that actually sparks my interest, it loses its charm within a day or two. My opinions shift constantly, and frankly, I feel completely lost. On top of that, I've been struggling with social interaction for a few years now—I can't even look someone in the eye or hold a conversation without this intense wave of anxiety hitting me. I've even had suicidal thoughts, mostly because I feel like nobody would even notice if I were gone—it's like I don't impact anyone, and no one truly sees me. I probably just look like a loser to everyone else. I used to be fine, but this state of mind has been my reality for three years now, and I am genuinely at a loss. I don't know if I need to see a psychiatrist or if I'm dealing with some kind of clinical disorder (?). Please, just whatever you do, don't tell me "it's just a phase" or give me the "you're young, you'll grow out of it" speech... because I know it isn't. I know exactly how I feel. I'm posting this here because I didn't know where else to turn, though maybe a psychiatric clinic really is my best bet. 😢
Thanks in advance for any advice or input you can offer.

Also, sometimes my fantasies serve as an escape from reality—movies or music act as a way to check out. I spend a lot of time daydreaming and living in my own head, wondering "what if," but maybe that isn't the real problem since it actually helps me relax...

You're young, but seriously, you really think nobody would miss you? Besides, if your daydreams and movies are just an escape from reality, why not? Everyone escapes sometimes...

But look, if this has been going on for a while and you're feeling depressed, there's no shame in reaching out to a pro if it helps.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone would actually miss it—except maybe my parents, though even with them, I can't exactly say everything that's on my mind... I realized I forgot to mention that I’ve never actually been in a relationship, either. And if I'm being brutally honest with myself? I don't think I have any real friends. It feels more like I have "acquaintances" who just take advantage of me—something I'm painfully aware of at this point. I know it’s fine to daydream once in a while, but for me, it's become a bit too much. I find myself projecting onto these characters from movies—you know the type—and then I start wanting to *be* them. I want to look like them, act like them, live like them... it's a bit much, isn't it? :S

Oh, sure, I’m just completely talentless. There isn't a single thing in this world I can actually get right—which, honestly, is pretty depressing. When I see everyone else being so incredibly capable at things while I just flounder? Yeah, I'll admit it... I feel a massive wave of jealousy.

You gotta find a hobby to get those dark thoughts out of your head. Hit the gym or something. A relationship will happen eventually too, you just have to get off your ass and make it happen...

Find something you actually enjoy doing.... Go ahead and daydream all you want if it keeps you chill, just don't lose track of what's real...

As for that whole "talent" thing, it's total bullshit. Just get moving and figure out what you're good at. You aren't gonna find it just laying in bed all day. 🙂

Do you have any hobbies, or maybe just some interests that spark inspiration when you're deep in thought? If not, is there something you’ve always dreamed of picking up in your spare time? Are you currently in school, or perhaps planning on heading to college?

I suppose you should try forcing yourself to think positively first; just focus on those things that actually inspire you—I'm sure they exist. Don't beat yourself up or sink into a depression over the things you lack. Everyone wants something in life that they don't quite have yet; honestly, I think that's exactly what drives us to make any kind of progress at all. 🙂

crimsonbadger25 said:Hey. I'm 18. My issue is that I have absolutely no clue what to do with my life—honestly, there are moments where I regret even being alive. I know people say I'm young, but it feels like I've already seen everything there is to see; I'm just bored with existence. Nothing fulfills me. I’m stuck in a constant state of depression, and even when I stumble upon something that actually sparks my interest, it loses its charm within a day or two. My opinions shift constantly, and frankly, I feel completely lost. On top of that, I've been struggling with social interaction for a few years now—I can't even look someone in the eye or hold a conversation without this intense wave of anxiety hitting me. I've even had suicidal thoughts, mostly because I feel like nobody would even notice if I were gone—it's like I don't impact anyone, and no one truly sees me. I probably just look like a loser to everyone else. I used to be fine, but this state of mind has been my reality for three years now, and I am genuinely at a loss. I don't know if I need to see a psychiatrist or if I'm dealing with some kind of clinical disorder (?). Please, just whatever you do, don't tell me "it's just a phase" or give me the "you're young, you'll grow out of it" speech... because I know it isn't. I know exactly how I feel. I'm posting this here because I didn't know where else to turn, though maybe a psychiatric clinic really is my best bet. 😢
Thanks in advance for any advice or input you can offer.

Also, sometimes my fantasies serve as an escape from reality—movies or music act as a way to check out. I spend a lot of time daydreaming and living in my own head, wondering "what if," but maybe that isn't the real problem since it actually helps me relax...

And why shouldn't you?
Don't go to a psychiatric hospital, don't go thinking therapy means someone is going to strap you down in a padded cell, but seeing a solid therapist? Why not?
Honey, if my kid thought this way, I'd be absolutely devastated. 😢

Go to your primary care doctor, get a referral, then hit up an urgent care center or a crisis clinic and ask to speak with a psychiatrist.

It's a small first step toward helping yourself.

You’re just a clever eighteen-year-old😍

Honestly, music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. I used to take singing lessons—really leaned into it—until my wife bluntly told me I had zero talent and should just stop wasting my time. That absolutely crushed me. I genuinely believed singing was my one true calling, my singular gift. Turns out, I don’t have any talents at all. I know, it sounds dramatic, but I’m sensitive—what might be a passing comment to someone else felt like a total demolition of my identity. And if I don't have that one thing, what am I supposed to do with my life? Nothing else interests me. I have no desire to grind away at some soul-crushing job that holds zero passion for me. It feels like my career prospects are dead on arrival. Even though I’m a solid student—pulling A's and B's without much trouble—it all feels pretty pointless right now. To be honest, I’ve been reading up online, and I can't help but wonder if this is some kind of personality disorder. I don't know... maybe I'm just beyond help? I'm even questioning if seeing a psychiatrist would actually change anything. Nothing brings me joy anymore. Even when I get a great grade on an exam, the high lasts for a second before everything sinks back into that same gray void. How am I supposed to focus on "positive thinking" or "personal growth" when absolutely nothing else in this world catches my interest? 😢

crimsonbadger25 said:Honestly, music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. I used to take singing lessons—really leaned into it—until my wife bluntly told me I had zero talent and should just stop wasting my time. That absolutely crushed me. I genuinely believed singing was my one true calling, my singular gift. Turns out, I don’t have any talents at all. I know, it sounds dramatic, but I’m sensitive—what might be a passing comment to someone else felt like a total demolition of my identity. And if I don't have that one thing, what am I supposed to do with my life? Nothing else interests me. I have no desire to grind away at some soul-crushing job that holds zero passion for me. It feels like my career prospects are dead on arrival. Even though I’m a solid student—pulling A's and B's without much trouble—it all feels pretty pointless right now. To be honest, I’ve been reading up online, and I can't help but wonder if this is some kind of personality disorder. I don't know... maybe I'm just beyond help? I'm even questioning if seeing a psychiatrist would actually change anything. Nothing brings me joy anymore. Even when I get a great grade on an exam, the high lasts for a second before everything sinks back into that same gray void. How am I supposed to focus on "positive thinking" or "personal growth" when absolutely nothing else in this world catches my interest? 😢

I know I tend to spiral into that exact kind of thinking when I’m dealing with depression, but once I get even a tiny spark of inspiration back, looking back at those thoughts feels completely ridiculous—honestly, I can't even wrap my head around how I could have been in such a headspace. The universe is absolutely teeming with things you can do; if nothing else, you can just imagine them. The world of ideas is basically infinite. 😁
Don't fixate on the idea that you lack talent. It really doesn't matter if you aren't the absolute best at something; what matters is letting go of those heavy expectations and just finding joy in the process. Find something interesting to occupy your time—put on a song you love and blast it until the end, start hiking, maybe try collecting different plant species, take photos of everything under the sun, or just experiment with new hobbies. Sorry if this sounds a bit too optimistic, but I truly believe it’s the only way to shift your perspective. You'll eventually find something that clicks and you'll make the most of it. This depression and the grayness you're feeling right now is just a temporary phase, and it can be overcome with a little bit of willpower and persistence. 😛

Even if I actually started putting in the work, I have a feeling I'd just slip back into my old habits after a day or two...

crimsonbadger25 said:Hey. I'm 18. My issue is that I have absolutely no clue what to do with my life—honestly, there are moments where I regret even being alive. I know people say I'm young, but it feels like I've already seen everything there is to see; I'm just bored with existence. Nothing fulfills me. I’m stuck in a constant state of depression, and even when I stumble upon something that actually sparks my interest, it loses its charm within a day or two. My opinions shift constantly, and frankly, I feel completely lost. On top of that, I've been struggling with social interaction for a few years now—I can't even look someone in the eye or hold a conversation without this intense wave of anxiety hitting me. I've even had suicidal thoughts, mostly because I feel like nobody would even notice if I were gone—it's like I don't impact anyone, and no one truly sees me. I probably just look like a loser to everyone else. I used to be fine, but this state of mind has been my reality for three years now, and I am genuinely at a loss. I don't know if I need to see a psychiatrist or if I'm dealing with some kind of clinical disorder (?). Please, just whatever you do, don't tell me "it's just a phase" or give me the "you're young, you'll grow out of it" speech... because I know it isn't. I know exactly how I feel. I'm posting this here because I didn't know where else to turn, though maybe a psychiatric clinic really is my best bet. 😢
Thanks in advance for any advice or input you can offer.

Also, sometimes my fantasies serve as an escape from reality—movies or music act as a way to check out. I spend a lot of time daydreaming and living in my own head, wondering "what if," but maybe that isn't the real problem since it actually helps me relax...

Look, if you don't know what to do with your life, just do whatever actually makes you happy.
So here's the question: What is it that actually brings you any joy?

Why wait any longer? You should really head over to see a psychiatrist while you still have the momentum! Depression isn't one of those things that just magically fades away as the days pass by, right?

crimsonbadger25 said:Even if I actually started putting in the work, I have a feeling I'd just slip back into my old habits after a day or two...

DG: A true product of the digital age. Try messing around and finding anything remotely interesting in the real world.

A psychiatrist might help, but you'd likely need a private one: P

Look, I’m 23, and honestly, I’m sitting here staring at the grocery aisle, paralyzed by whether I should grab the whole wheat or just stick to white bread... I know, I know, it sounds like one of those tired old clichés, but it’s a real thing. Everyone hits this wall eventually; some people crash into it harder than others, I guess. My advice? Depending on where you’re living, look into joining a local community center or some kind of hobby group to get your mind off things. If you want, shoot me a message with what city you're in, and maybe I can point you toward some decent organizations... I happen to know quite a few.

I wouldn't advise daydreaming quite this much. Especially if you're feeling a bit depressed (which you are)—fantasy starts blurring with reality, and then you just end up sinking even deeper into that depression. As much as escaping into your head feels relaxing, it can actually backfire when you finally snap back to the real world.

Best, 🙂

crimsonbadger25 said:Hey. I'm 18. My issue is that I have absolutely no clue what to do with my life—honestly, there are moments where I regret even being alive. I know people say I'm young, but it feels like I've already seen everything there is to see; I'm just bored with existence. Nothing fulfills me. I’m stuck in a constant state of depression, and even when I stumble upon something that actually sparks my interest, it loses its charm within a day or two. My opinions shift constantly, and frankly, I feel completely lost. On top of that, I've been struggling with social interaction for a few years now—I can't even look someone in the eye or hold a conversation without this intense wave of anxiety hitting me. I've even had suicidal thoughts, mostly because I feel like nobody would even notice if I were gone—it's like I don't impact anyone, and no one truly sees me. I probably just look like a loser to everyone else. I used to be fine, but this state of mind has been my reality for three years now, and I am genuinely at a loss. I don't know if I need to see a psychiatrist or if I'm dealing with some kind of clinical disorder (?). Please, just whatever you do, don't tell me "it's just a phase" or give me the "you're young, you'll grow out of it" speech... because I know it isn't. I know exactly how I feel. I'm posting this here because I didn't know where else to turn, though maybe a psychiatric clinic really is my best bet. 😢
Thanks in advance for any advice or input you can offer.

Also, sometimes my fantasies serve as an escape from reality—movies or music act as a way to check out. I spend a lot of time daydreaming and living in my own head, wondering "what if," but maybe that isn't the real problem since it actually helps me relax...

Look, what a young person like you is actually missing is basic, healthy physical activity. So, before you go booking an appointment with a shrink, get those suicidal thoughts out of your head and go hop on a bike or run around your neighborhood for at least an hour every single day. You clearly have plenty of time to sit around and think. 😁 Doing that will trigger an endorphin rush—those natural "feel-good" chemicals—and as a result, you'll feel significantly better. You'll fantasize less, sleep better, think more creatively, and generally be more relaxed and optimistic about your future.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.🙂

If this is dragging on this long, you probably need to talk to a professional. At the very least, it might feel good just to have someone actually listen to you.
Now, for some small starting points... self-love... try telling yourself how much you matter every single day—as often as you can. (I know, it sounds cheesy, but give it a shot)..
Someone already brought up running and other physical activities... you can handle that on your own...
Break your routine. Just do something differently than you usually do...
And look, as a mother of two teenagers, I’ll tell you "your parents love you deeply," even if it doesn't exactly feel that way to you right now"...
Wishing you nothing but the best....

Give me a break, man. You’re gonna burn yourself out before you even finish your first semester. Once classes actually kick off, everything changes—new crowd, late-night drinking, hookups, wild parties... all that classic college chaos that everyone goes through.👍
And seriously, this is just a phase. I can tell by the way you write that you aren't an idiot; you clearly realize the mess you're in right now. Trust me, once life throws a major curveball your way, this mindset will pass.
In the meantime, if you really feel like you need someone to talk to, go see a counselor, not a psychiatrist.
Good luck!

crimsonbadger25 said:Hey. I'm 18. My issue is that I have absolutely no clue what to do with my life—honestly, there are moments where I regret even being alive. I know people say I'm young, but it feels like I've already seen everything there is to see; I'm just bored with existence. Nothing fulfills me. I’m stuck in a constant state of depression, and even when I stumble upon something that actually sparks my interest, it loses its charm within a day or two. My opinions shift constantly, and frankly, I feel completely lost. On top of that, I've been struggling with social interaction for a few years now—I can't even look someone in the eye or hold a conversation without this intense wave of anxiety hitting me. I've even had suicidal thoughts, mostly because I feel like nobody would even notice if I were gone—it's like I don't impact anyone, and no one truly sees me. I probably just look like a loser to everyone else. I used to be fine, but this state of mind has been my reality for three years now, and I am genuinely at a loss. I don't know if I need to see a psychiatrist or if I'm dealing with some kind of clinical disorder (?). Please, just whatever you do, don't tell me "it's just a phase" or give me the "you're young, you'll grow out of it" speech... because I know it isn't. I know exactly how I feel. I'm posting this here because I didn't know where else to turn, though maybe a psychiatric clinic really is my best bet. 😢
Thanks in advance for any advice or input you can offer.

Also, sometimes my fantasies serve as an escape from reality—movies or music act as a way to check out. I spend a lot of time daydreaming and living in my own head, wondering "what if," but maybe that isn't the real problem since it actually helps me relax...

Oh, that is absolutely a problem.
Escapism. Man, I do the exact same thing, unfortunately. Life just throws way too much crap at you sometimes, and there’s just too much missing. So then, you watch this movie or this show, and you honestly just wish it was your actual life—that you were living *that* life instead of this one—and it just eats you up inside. Then everything you do is just a Quincy, sadly, just a total Quincy.

You've gotta set yourself a goal. Just take it one step at a time. Don't know what the goal is? Don't know what you want? Well, start doing the things you dream about! Turn those fantasized moments into reality. For example, I'm trying to fix my health, because I haven't had a decent handle on it for years and sitting at my computer all day dreaming about stuff has totally wrecked me. But I'm over it. I'm taking all those dreams I've been building up for years and I'm gonna turn as much of them into real life as I can.

Life lesson: Be happy with what you've got, instead of being miserable over what you don't.

Just keep pushing forward! 👍

Did you manage to get everything sorted out? Honestly, I’m dealing with something even more intense right now... it would probably be a good idea if you reached out to Paranormals