The Darkest Cloud
Written by Cassie Licari & Dominique Houle on 16/06/10
Photo by Skinner08 on Flickr
We all have unhappy moments at some point in our lives. Whether it’s because we received a bad grade on a test, got into a fight with our parents, or even because we may have lost a special pet, sometimes we can be very upset and sad. Short-term sadness and negative emotions are a part of life and may pass with time. However, sometimes you may feel sad for a long time and not even feel like yourself. When these emotions last for a while and begin to affect your everyday life, it may be an illness known as “depression” (Canadian Mental Health Association).
Symptoms of depression include: feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, sadness, disappointment and emptiness (Canadian Mental Health Association). In general, these feelings affect your thoughts, behaviour and outlook on life (TeensHealth), During your teenage years you may be exposed to a great amount of peer pressure, and are trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in, so mood changes can be normal. But if these symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and are affecting your daily functions and attitude, it may be wise to seek medical advice (Psychology Net). Basically, for those diagnosed with depression, it is almost as if they see the world through a completely different lens.
Check out this website for some possible causes of depression.
Here are some general signs and symptoms of depression in youth;
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Irritability, anger, or hostility
- Tearfulness or frequent crying
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Loss of interest in activities
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Restlessness and agitation
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Also, sometimes teens may have different signs of depression than adults do; click here for a list of them.
If a friend is suffering from Depression…
You may know of someone or have a friend who may be suffering from depression. Let them know you are there to listen and support them. Some people may not want to be around others, whereas other people need to be with people at all times. People who are depressed may be in a fragile emotional state, so don’t argue or pressure them to do something. Letting them know you care and understand is the most important thing. Be patient and don’t judge them, and offer to help them seek medical advice (Canadian Mental Health Association).
If a friend is going through severe depression and is suicidal, talk to an adult. If their health and safety is at risk, call 9-1-1.
If you think you may be depressed, talk to a parent or trusted adult. You can even talk to a doctor or school guidance councilor who will help you get the appropriate treatment. By talking to your doctor, they may be able to rule out other health concerns and focus on what the problem is. If you wish to speak to someone anonymously, you can call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. Talking to someone (whether to a professional or friend) is the most important step in helping yourself recover and feel better. You deserve to be happy and healthy, so that you can enjoy your teenage years!
To read about a real-life story (en français) of a teen who went through depression, click here.
Links
Canadian Mental Health Association
Health Canada
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Helpguide
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
TeensHealth