I am an 18 year old girl and last year I went on an overseas exchange for a year. Upon arrival back in the States, I felt an almost instant wave of depression. Not because I missed my exchange country (I was happy to be out of there) but I'm not really sure why.

After 2 months of being home, I began crying myself to sleep every night for no reason. When my mom finally noticed, she promised to take me into counseling. She never did.

I often time go for weeks at a time feeling hopeless and worthless and cry for no reason. I'm always tired and I don't eat much. Nothing tastes good anymore. Everyone around me has noticed it, but nobody knows what to do. It's gotten to the point where one of my friends, who is currently in Europe, almost canceled his summer trip to stay home with me, because I have called him so many times swearing I felt like I was going to kill myself. It's almost like my mind splits into 2 different people.

In December, I reminded my mom about counseling. She said she'd call and make an appointment. She never did.

Again in February I reminded her, only for it to slip out of her mind yet again.

Now, whenever I bring up the subject of feeling depressed and down, she gets mad at me. She yells at me and tells me to cheer up, that my bad aura is effecting everyone.

Due to the nature of our health insurance (which would cover counseling) I can't get professional help without my mom there to sign the papers.

I don't know how to make this real to her. I don't know what to do. I feel really lost.