{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","path":"/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","title":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","family":"Answers detail","description":"A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"public","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","wordpressId":"6053","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers#person","name":"Ann Landers","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers"}],"reviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"dates":{"datePublished":"2025-06-10T15:52:58Z","dateModified":"2025-09-26T18:56:26Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"},"content":{"html":"<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers\">Answers</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page answer-page\" data-answer-template=\"conversation\"><header class=\"answer-heading article-heading\"><a class=\"answer-back\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers\">Answers</a><h1>Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?</h1><div class=\"answer-credits\"><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/80b8e1a76768e1ea081ddaf9.jpg\" width=\"40\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Written by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Ann Landers</span></span></a><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg\" width=\"40\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Medically reviewed by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</span></span></a></div><dl class=\"answer-heading-dates\"><div><dt>Published</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-06-10T15:52:58Z\">June 10, 2025</time></dd></div><div><dt>Updated</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-26T18:56:26Z\">September 26, 2025</time></dd></div><div><dt>Reviewed</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-15\">September 15, 2025</time></dd></div></dl></header><nav aria-label=\"Answer navigation\" class=\"answer-nav\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#summary\" aria-current=\"location\">Summary</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question\">Question</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer\">Answer</a></nav><article aria-label=\"Reader question and professional response\" class=\"prose\" data-answer-thread=\"\" id=\"article-content\"><section aria-labelledby=\"summary-title\" class=\"answer-overview\" id=\"summary\"><h2 id=\"summary-title\">Summary</h2><figure class=\"answer-question-image\"><img alt=\"A teenager and adult talking in a bright home.\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"667\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/b1d0042003b79b1021d62523.webp\" width=\"1000\" decoding=\"auto\"></figure><p>A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude. The teenager asks how to obtain support and communicate the concern.</p><p>The response encourages explaining the reasons for wanting therapy and repeating the request so the parent understands it is serious.</p><p>It also identifies school psychology services and community mental health centers as possible sources of help if the parent remains resistant.</p></section><div class=\"answer-originals\" id=\"original-conversation\"><div class=\"answer-originals-body\"><section aria-labelledby=\"question-person\" class=\"answer-post answer-question\" id=\"question\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"answer-avatar answer-reader\">?</div><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"question-person\">Question</h2><span>Reader · Identity withheld</span></header><p>I’m 16, and I think I have a mental illness. I told my mom that I want to see a therapist because I feel irritable all the time, but she says its just my “attitude.” My mom is a nurse, so it’s scary that she doesn’t take me seriously.</p>\n<p>Could things get worse if I don’t get help? Sometimes I feel depressed over small things, or even for no reason at all. What’s going on with me? How can I convince my mom to help me before it gets worse?</p></div></section><section aria-labelledby=\"response-person\" class=\"answer-post answer-response\" id=\"answer\"><a aria-label=\"View Ann Landers profile\" class=\"answer-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"44\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/80b8e1a76768e1ea081ddaf9.jpg\" width=\"44\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"response-person\">Answer</h2><span>Ann Landers</span></header><p>Seeing a therapist can help you become less affected by trivial things. If you have only told your mother once or twice that you would like to see a therapist, I suggest telling her again, so that she knows you are serious.</p>\n<p>Also tell her <a class=\"article-inline-link\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/what-do-you-value-in-a-therapist\">why you want to see a therapist</a> because she may not know why. If you cannot get her to understand, there are often school psychologists (this is different than a guidance counselor) that you can talk to for free, or community mental health centers in most areas.</p>\n<p>Looking in the phone book will help you locate them. They are often free too and can help you if your mother remains resistant. Hope this helps. – Anne</p></div></section></div></div><section aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" class=\"article-expert article-expert-inline\" data-expert-kind=\"related\" data-expert-layout=\"standard\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel\" class=\"card-identity-photo\" aria-label=\"Carlos Protzel  Psy.D.\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/8e1ee0ec187d4c3ff0be4ad3.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel\">Carlos Protzel <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Psy.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Integrative mental health care</p><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel\" class=\"quiet-button\">View profile</a></section></article><div class=\"answer-endmatter\"><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers\" aria-label=\"View Ann Landers profile\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/80b8e1a76768e1ea081ddaf9.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Author</span><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers\">Ann Landers</a></h2><p>Ann Landers was the leading advice columnist for 47 years, with her widely syndicated columns reaching 90 million readers worldwide.</p></div></section><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\" aria-label=\"View Jesse Hanson, Ph.D. profile\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Medical reviewer</span><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</a></h2><p>Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…</p></div></section><section aria-label=\"Related community\" class=\"article-topic-community article-topic-community-end\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/mental-health-conditions\" class=\"card-identity-photo\" aria-label=\"Mental Health Conditions\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"topic-community-banner\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/27db41be49150a3bd2ed641a.webp\" width=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"/assets/responsive/f312f68b0eff64c3338c92e6.webp 800w, /assets/optimized/27db41be49150a3bd2ed641a.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 961px) 236px, calc(100vw - 80px)\"></a><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related community</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/mental-health-conditions\">Mental Health Conditions</a></h2><p>Explore different mental health conditions and the experiences of people living with them.</p></section><section class=\"answer-related\"><h2>Related questions</h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/help-your-friend-advice-to-make-a-difference\">How can I help my friend without making things worse?</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/dealing-with-a-family-members-complete-personality-change\">How do you help a parent with mental illness?</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/was-i-sexually-abused\">What signs can help me understand if I experienced sexual abuse?</a></section></div></div>","text":"Home Answers Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help? AnswersCould my mental health get worse if I don’t get help? Written byAnn LandersMedically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Published June 10, 2025 Updated September 26, 2025 Reviewed September 15, 2025 SummaryQuestionAnswer Summary A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude. The teenager asks how to obtain support and communicate the concern. The response encourages explaining the reasons for wanting therapy and repeating the request so the parent understands it is serious. It also identifies school psychology services and community mental health centers as possible sources of help if the parent remains resistant. ? Question Reader · Identity withheld I’m 16, and I think I have a mental illness. I told my mom that I want to see a therapist because I feel irritable all the time, but she says its just my “attitude.” My mom is a nurse, so it’s scary that she doesn’t take me seriously. Could things get worse if I don’t get help? Sometimes I feel depressed over small things, or even for no reason at all. What’s going on with me? How can I convince my mom to help me before it gets worse? Answer Ann Landers Seeing a therapist can help you become less affected by trivial things. If you have only told your mother once or twice that you would like to see a therapist, I suggest telling her again, so that she knows you are serious. Also tell her why you want to see a therapist because she may not know why. If you cannot get her to understand, there are often school psychologists (this is different than a guidance counselor) that you can talk to for free, or community mental health centers in most areas. Looking in the phone book will help you locate them. They are often free too and can help you if your mother remains resistant. Hope this helps. – Anne Subject matter expert Carlos Protzel Psy.D. Integrative mental health care View profile AuthorAnn Landers Ann Landers was the leading advice columnist for 47 years, with her widely syndicated columns reaching 90 million readers worldwide. Medical reviewerJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body… Related community Mental Health Conditions Explore different mental health conditions and the experiences of people living with them. Related questions How can I help my friend without making things worse?How do you help a parent with mental illness?What signs can help me understand if I experienced sexual abuse?","wordCount":442},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","publishingPrinciples":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing/editorial-policy"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Answers","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#primaryimage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/b1d0042003b79b1021d62523.webp","contentUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/b1d0042003b79b1021d62523.webp","width":1000,"height":667,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"A teenager and adult talking in a bright home."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers#person","name":"Ann Landers","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers","jobTitle":"Writer (In remembrance)","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/80b8e1a76768e1ea081ddaf9.jpg","memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing#department"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","jobTitle":"Clinical Affairs Director","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-hanson-phd-7215216/"],"memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/clinical-affairs#department"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/leadership#department"}]},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#article","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","headline":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","description":"A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude.","wordCount":281,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"articleSection":"Answers","inLanguage":"en-US","author":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers#person"}],"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#primaryimage"},"hasPart":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-conditions#topic","name":"Mental Health Conditions"},"datePublished":"2025-06-10T15:52:58Z","dateModified":"2025-09-26T18:56:26Z"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question","name":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","text":"I’m 16, and I think I have a mental illness. I told my mom that I want to see a therapist because I feel irritable all the time, but she says its just my “attitude.” My mom is a nurse, so it’s scary that she doesn’t take me seriously. Could things get worse if I don’t get help? Sometimes I feel depressed over small things, or even for no reason at all. What’s going on with me? How can I convince my mom to help me before it gets worse?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question","answerCount":1},{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer","text":"Seeing a therapist can help you become less affected by trivial things. If you have only told your mother once or twice that you would like to see a therapist, I suggest telling her again, so that she knows you are serious. Also tell her why you want to see a therapist because she may not know why. If you cannot get her to understand, there are often school psychologists (this is different than a guidance counselor) that you can talk to for free, or community mental health centers in most areas. Looking in the phone book will help you locate them. They are often free too and can help you if your mother remains resistant. Hope this helps. – Anne","author":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer"},{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#webpage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","name":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","description":"A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as 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abuse?"}],"conversation":{"status":"complete","summary":{"question":"A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude. The teenager asks how to obtain support and communicate the concern.","answer":"The response encourages explaining the reasons for wanting therapy and repeating the request so the parent understands it is serious. It also identifies school psychology services and community mental health centers as possible sources of help if the parent remains resistant."},"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","sourceReviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"question":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#question","html":"<p>I’m 16, and I think I have a mental illness. I told my mom that I want to see a therapist because I feel irritable all the time, but she says its just my “attitude.” My mom is a nurse, so it’s scary that she doesn’t take me seriously.</p>\n<p>Could things get worse if I don’t get help? Sometimes I feel depressed over small things, or even for no reason at all. What’s going on with me? How can I convince my mom to help me before it gets worse?</p>","text":"I’m 16, and I think I have a mental illness. I told my mom that I want to see a therapist because I feel irritable all the time, but she says its just my “attitude.” My mom is a nurse, so it’s scary that she doesn’t take me seriously. Could things get worse if I don’t get help? Sometimes I feel depressed over small things, or even for no reason at all. What’s going on with me? How can I convince my mom to help me before it gets worse?"},"answer":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts#answer","html":"<p>Seeing a therapist can help you become less affected by trivial things. If you have only told your mother once or twice that you would like to see a therapist, I suggest telling her again, so that she knows you are serious.</p>\n<p>Also tell her <a class=\"article-inline-link\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/what-do-you-value-in-a-therapist\">why you want to see a therapist</a> because she may not know why. If you cannot get her to understand, there are often school psychologists (this is different than a guidance counselor) that you can talk to for free, or community mental health centers in most areas.</p>\n<p>Looking in the phone book will help you locate them. They are often free too and can help you if your mother remains resistant. Hope this helps. – Anne</p>","text":"Seeing a therapist can help you become less affected by trivial things. If you have only told your mother once or twice that you would like to see a therapist, I suggest telling her again, so that she knows you are serious. Also tell her why you want to see a therapist because she may not know why. If you cannot get her to understand, there are often school psychologists (this is different than a guidance counselor) that you can talk to for free, or community mental health centers in most areas. Looking in the phone book will help you locate them. They are often free too and can help you if your mother remains resistant. Hope this helps. – Anne","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers#person","name":"Ann Landers","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/anne-landers"}},"summaryScope":"Editorial overview of the original question and response; original review dates apply to the source conversation."},"presentation":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-03","template":"answer-conversation","imageGeneratedAt":"2026-10-03"},"seo":{"title":"Could my mental health get worse if I don’t get help?","description":"A teenager feels persistently irritable and sometimes depressed, but a parent dismisses the request for therapy as attitude.","canonical":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/am-i-crazy-answers-to-dispel-your-doubts","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/f7d19272dd5d30590dddbab9.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Answers","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"answers"}},"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Carlos Protzel, Psy.D.","url":"/people/carlos-protzel","profileId":"13151","topic":"wellbeing","focus":"Integrative mental health care","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"navigation":[{"label":"Summary","href":"#summary"},{"label":"Question","href":"#question"},{"label":"Answer","href":"#answer"}],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/mental-health-conditions","basis":"topic match"},"collections":[]}