Depression - Myths About Depression

Have you lost all interest or pleasure in any activity? Feel worthlessness or hopelessness? When these feelings are accompanied by changes in appetite and sleep, problems concentrating and physical complaints, the chance is high that you have a depression. In this case an appropriate diagnosis and early treatment by a physician is very important. Look through the information to find out how to recognize and treat depression.

Myths About Depression

Clinical Depression is a serious illness that can affect anybody, including teenagers. This can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health.

Most people who have depression can be helped with treatment. However, most depressed people never get the help they need. So, when depression isn't treated, it can get worse, last longer, and prevent you from getting the most out of your life. Keep in mind, you're only a teenager once.
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• How do I know when I'm depressed?
• How can I tell if a friend might be depressed?

First, there are two kinds of depression: The sad kind, called major depression, dysthymia or reactive depression, and manic-depression or bipolar illness, when feeling down and depressed alternates with being speeded-up and sometimes acting reckless.

If you had several of these symptoms, and they lasted several weeks, or cause a big change in your routine, you should talk to someone who can help, like a psychologist, or your school counselor!

Myths often prevent people from doing the right thing. Some universal myths about depression:

• MYTH: It's normal for teenagers to be moody; Teens don't suffer from "real" depression.

FACT: Depression is more than just being moody. This can affect people at any age, including teenagers.

• MYTH: Telling an adult that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If somebody 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. This is an act of true friendship to share your concerns with an adult who can help. Notwithstanding what you "promised" to keep secret, your friend's life is more important than a promise.

• MYTH: Talking about depression only makes it worse.

FACT: Talking about your feelings to someone who can help, like a psychologist, is the first step towards beating depression. Talking to close friends can also provide you with the support and encouragement you need to talk to your parents or school counselor about getting evaluated for depression.