Depressed or not???

We all have the odd bad mood day but depression is much more serious than just feeling a bit grumpy. It’s an illness caused by a chemical or hormonal imbalance that’s either prompted by a high-stress situation or is part of your genetic programming. It can dominate and seriously disrupt the life of sufferers – they become both physically and emotionally fragile. Classic symptoms of depression include:

• Extreme sadness and crying.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Lack of energy.
• Lack of motivation.
• Lack of concentration.
• Insomnia.

Are you depressed?

Obviously only a qualified expert can spot depression. But if you think you may be suffering from depression, think back over the last couple of weeks and size yourself up against the following checklist of symptoms.

Do you feel sad all the time?
Do you feel uninterested in things that used to excite you?
Have you noticed changes in your appetite?
Do you sleep a lot? Or find it hard to sleep?
Do you feel anxious and hyper? Or really drained of energy?
Do you feel bad about yourself?
Do you feel confused or have difficulty making decisions?
Do you think about death or suicide?
Do you have lots of aches and pains?
Do you skive school or get much lower marks than you used to?
Have you run away? Or do you daydream about it?
Do you cry or get angry really easily?
Do you abuse alcohol or drugs?
Are you over-sensitive to rejection and failure?

Sometimes it’s tricky to distinguish depression from average teenage angst but if a few of the above symptoms feel all too familiar, it’s possible you may be depression-prone. And identifying the problem is half the battle. Don’t be ashamed, or afraid, to ask for help – remember depression is an illness and needs proper treatment. You can’t tough it out alone so try opening up to a parent or trusted adult such as a school councillor. Alternatively, visit the websites below for essential advice and info. You might not find a quick-fix solution, but you can make life rosier long-term.