Dad passed away a year and a bit and now I hate home

My dad passed on January 22nd, 3 days after my birthday. I am now 17 years of age, I'm not coping great, my anger has gotten to me and I used to be short tempered and I'm even worse, my sister says a little joke and I snap, just like that. I go out like normal, I love hanging around with friends and cousins, but when I get home all of a sudden I feel a black cloud is weighing me down and I just hate being home unless it's in my room playing video games, I've tried counselling but its useless, done it for a few months now but not one bit of help. I failed everything in GCSEs and my first year of College. I'm really not coping and I hate getting emotional in front of my mum because it hurts. I want a day where I love my family and have fun with them for just one day without me getting angry. One little thing can ruin my whole day, I've heard it all. "Block the haters" or "don't listen to them" but I can't, I feel even more depressed and I just really want a week away from home and internet and just have fun but we can't afford it, I don't know what I want from this post but thanks for listening, whoever it is. 

 

Sorry if this was long, bye. 

  • Hi Eddie,

    Have you been able to tell your Mum how you're feeling? Your whole family will be grieving in their own different ways but you will all be feeling hurt and like the bottom has fallen out of your lives. I'm sure that if she could read your post she would have an insight into what you're going through and realise that any *** behaviours you have are explained by your Dad's death.

    Being 17 won't help either, most teenagers go through patches of self-loathing, insecurity and loneliness even without the trauma of losing a parent. 

    At 17 you are old enough to see your GP independently and have your privacy respected. It might be worth talking to your GP and checking whether your natural grief has changed into clinical depression for which help is available. 

    Counselling isn't for everyone (as I know from personal experience) but you need a way to get out of the way you feel. A long holiday would be great but like you say can cost a fortune. Do you have any friends you could go away with, maybe camping or youth hosteling? Neither is expensive and it would help you get into a completely different environment, meet new people, do different things and reset your mind a little.

    Physical activity might help work off some of your aggression (which we all have) in a positive way - football, rugby, boxing, walking, running. Anything except video games which might take your mind off things but will inevitably turn you into a coach potato if that's your only outlet! 

    I hope this helps and doesn't read like a load of patronising crap :-)

    Best wishes

    Dave