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Depression is more than feeling “blue" or feeling “blah." It is more than normal feelings of sadness. When someone feels “down" or sad for more than a few weeks, they may be clinically depressed. Clinical depression is serious and it affects every part of the person and every part of their lives. The person's feelings, behaviors, health, and even the way they look might start to change.
When a person is depressed, it can be very hard for them to handle everyday things, make decisions, and handle pressures. Depression is not a passing mood, and it is not a sign of weakness. It is an illness that can be treated successfully by a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. These providers have been trained to help people who are feeling this way. Going to see one of them doesn't mean you're crazy. A mental health provider is not going to lock you up in a hospital. In fact, that hardly ever happens. What these professionals do is find the right way to help you feel better in the easiest way possible.
If you suspect you, or someone you know, might be depressed the first step is to talk to someone who can help. Below are some signs of depression. It is important to remember, to have depression you must have three or more of these symptoms for most of the day everyday for at least two weeks.
Feelings
Do you or one of your friends experience:
• Sadness
• Emptiness
• Guilt
• Worthlessness
• Tearfulness and crying
• Not enjoying everyday pleasures
• Despair
• Low self-esteem
• Hostility
Thinking
Are you or any of your friends having a hard time:
• Concentrating
• Making decisions
• Completing School work
• Maintaining grades
Behavior
Are you or any of your friends:
• Restless
• Irritable
• Belligerent
• Not wanting to go to school
• Wanting to be alone most of the time
• Having difficulty getting along with others
• Cutting classes or skipping school
• Dropping out of sports, hobbies or activities
• Drinking or using drugs
• Talking about or attempting to run away from home
Physical Problems
Do you or any of your friends complain of:
• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Joint or backaches
• Lack of energy
• Sleeping problems (can't sleep or sleeps too much)
• Weight or appetite changes (gain or loss)
Suicide Risk
Do you or any of your friends think or talk about:
• Suicide
• Death
• Self-destructive behavior
• Other morbid subjects
Here is a list of Teen Resources that can help.
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