Provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
Sure, everybody feels sad or blue now and then. But if you're sad most of the
time, and it's giving you problems with
your grades or attendance at school
your relationships with your family and friends
alcohol, drugs, or sex
controlling your behavior in other ways
the problem may be DEPRESSION.
The good news is that you can get treatment and feel better soon. Approximately
4 percent of adolescents get seriously depressed each year. Clinical depression
is a serious illness that can affect anybody, including teenagers. It can affect
your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health.
Most people with depression can be helped with treatment. But a majority of
depressed people never get the help they need. And, when depression isn't
treated, it can get worse, last longer, and prevent you from getting the most
out of this important time in your life.
So,...Listen Up:
Here's how to tell if you or a friend might be depressed.
First, there are two kinds of depressive illness: the sad kind, called major
depression, and manic-depression or bipolar disorder, when feeling down and
depressed alternates with being speeded-up and sometimes reckless.
You should get evaluated by a professional if you've had five or more of the
following symptoms for more than 2 weeks or if any of these symptoms cause such
a big change that you can't keep up your usual routine.....
When You're Depressed...
You feel sad or cry a lot and it doesn't go away.
You feel guilty for no reason; you feel like you're no good; you've lost your
confidence.
Life seems meaningless or like nothing good is ever going to happen again. You
have a negative attitude a lot of the time, or it seems like you have no
feelings.
You don't feel like doing a lot of the things you used to like—like music,
sports, being with friends, going out—and you want to be left alone most of the
time.
It's hard to make up your mind. You forget lots of things, and it's hard to
concentrate.
You get irritated often. Little things make you lose your temper; you
over-react.
Your sleep pattern changes; you start sleeping a lot more or you have trouble
falling asleep at night. Or you wake up really early most mornings and can't get
back to sleep.
Your eating pattern changes; you've lost your appetite or you eat a lot more.
You feel restless and tired most of the time.
You think about death, or feel like you're dying, or have thoughts about
committing suicide.
When You're Manic...
You feel high as a kite...like you're "on top of the world."
You get unreal ideas about the great things you can do...things that you really
can't do.
Thoughts go racing through your head, you jump from one subject to another, and
you talk a lot.
You're a non-stop party, constantly running around.
You do too many wild or risky things: with driving, with spending money, with
sex, etc.
You're so "up" that you don't need much sleep.
You're rebellious or irritable and can't get along at home or school, or with
your friends.
Talk to Someone
If you are concerned about depression in yourself or a friend, TALK TO SOMEONE
about it. There are people who can help you get treatment:
a professional at a mental health center or Mental Health Association
a trusted family member
your family doctor
your clergy
a school counselor or nurse
a social worker
a responsible adult
Or, if you don't know where to turn, the telephone directory or information
operator should have phone numbers for a local hotline or mental health services
or referrals.
Depression can affect people of any age, race, ethnic or economic group.
Let's Get Serious Here
Having depression doesn't mean that a person is weak, or a failure, or isn't
really trying...it means they need treatment.
Most people with depression can be helped with psychotherapy, medicine, or both
together.
Short-term psychotherapy, means talking about feelings with a trained
professional who can help you change the relationships, thoughts, or behaviors
that contribute to depression.
Medication has been developed that effectively treats depression that is severe
or disabling. Antidepressant medications are not "uppers" and are not addictive.
Sometimes, several types may have to be tried before you and your doctor find
the one that works best.
Treatment can help most depressed people start to feel better in just a few
weeks.
So remember, when your problems seem too big and you're feeling low for too
long, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There's help out there and you can ask for help. And if
you know someone who you think is depressed, you can help: Listen and encourage
your friend to ask a parent or responsible adult about treatment. If your friend
doesn't ask for help soon, talk to an adult you trust and respect—especially if
your friend mentions suicide.
What You Need to Know About Suicide...
Most people who are depressed do not commit suicide. But depression increases
the risk for suicide or suicide attempts. It is not true that people who talk
about suicide do not attempt it. Suicidal thoughts, remarks, or attempts are
ALWAYS SERIOUS...if any of these happen to you or a friend, you must tell a
responsible adult IMMEDIATELY...it's better to be safe than sorry... .
Why Do People Get Depressed?
Sometimes people get seriously depressed after something like a divorce in the
family, major financial problems, someone you love dying, a messed up home life,
or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Other times—like with other illnesses—depression just happens. Often teenagers
react to the pain of depression by getting into trouble: trouble with alcohol,
drugs, or sex; trouble with school or bad grades; problems with family or
friends. This is another reason why it's important to get treatment for
depression before it leads to other trouble.
Depression and Alcohol and Other Drugs
A lot of depressed people, especially teenagers, also have problems with alcohol
or other drugs. (Alcohol is a drug, too.) Sometimes the depression comes first
and people try drugs as a way to escape it. (In the long run, drugs or alcohol
just make things worse!) Other times, the alcohol or other drug use comes first,
and depression is caused by:
the drug itself, or
withdrawal from it, or
the problems that substance use causes.
And sometimes you can't tell which came first...the important point is that when
you have both of these problems, the sooner you get treatment, the better.
Either problem can make the other worse and lead to bigger trouble, like
addiction or flunking school. You need to be honest about both problems—first
with yourself and then with someone who can help you get into treatment...it's
the only way to really get better and stay better.
Depression is a real medical illness and it's treatable.
Be Able to Tell Fact From Fiction
Myths about depression often prevent people from doing the right thing. Some
common myths are:
Myth: It's normal for teenagers to be moody; teens don't suffer from real
depression.
FACT: Depression is more than just being moody, and it can affect people at any
age, including teenagers.
Myth: Telling an adult that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If
someone wants help, he or she will get it.
FACT: Depression, which saps energy and self-esteem, interferes with a person's
ability or wish to get help. It is an act of true friendship to share your
concerns with an adult who can help.
Myth: Talking about depression only makes it worse.
FACT: Talking through feelings with a good friend is often a helpful first step.
Friendship, concern, and support can provide the encouragement to talk to a
parent or other trusted adult about getting evaluated for depression.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All material in this fact sheet is in the public domain and may be copied or
reproduced without permission from the Institute. Citation of the source is
appreciated.
NIH Publication No. 01-4162
Reprinted June 2001
Back to Mental Health Articles