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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Depression > Q&A
Posted on: 01/25/2010
Question
I always seem to make mistakes, and when I do I call myself stupid and think that everyone is going to hate me. Well over the summer it became so bad that I actually started "hearing" my voice out loud, like I was standing beside myself!!! I hear it all the time and it is interfering with my normal conversations and paying attention in school. Please help me to understand or fix this.
Answer
I am glad that you wrote about this problem. It is bad enough just to think that you are stupid, without having it seem as though there's a voice telling you so. Hearing your thoughts out loud doesn't mean you are crazy, but it does mean that these thoughts are making you so miserable that they are taking over.
The problem isn't that you make mistakes -- everyone does -- but that you believe that makes you stupid and unlikeable. You indicated that you are 12, which is often a time when a lot is changing: school, friends, even your own body. It's a tough time for many people, but it doesn't have to be this tough.
It is important that you talk about these thoughts to people who are in your life and can help. Hopefully you can let your parents know how you are feeling, but it will probably be useful also to talk to someone like a school counselor, therapist or minister.