Teen Depression: You are Not Alone, There are Ways You Can Feel Better

2015·1 MB·English

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Learn more.
Depression is
N
not your fault N O
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): I
or caused by something E S
www.nimh.nih.gov
E S
you did wrong.
T E
Depression is a real, treatable brain illness, or health R
Drugs & Health: A blog for teens from the
problem. Depression can be caused by big transitions in life, P
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
stress, or changes in your body’s chemicals that affect your
E
thoughts and moods. Depression can run in families. Maybe you http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog
D
haven’t realized that you have depression and have been blaming
yourself for being negative. Remember that depression is not
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
your fault!
1-800-273-TALK (8255), free 24-hour help
You are
not alone.
There are
National Institute
of Mental Health
ways you can
feel better.
OM 15-4302
Revised 2015
If you have been Regular sadness and Know the
feeling sad, depression signs and symptoms
are not the same. depression.
of
hopeless, or irritable
Regular sadness Most of the day or nearly every day you may feel one or all of
Feeling moody, sad, or grouchy? Who doesn’t once in a while? It’s
for what seems like the following:
easy to have a couple of bad days. Your schoolwork, activities, and
Ê Sad Ê Hopeless
family and friend drama, all mixed with not enough sleep, can leave
a long time,
Ê Empty Ê Angry, cranky, or frustrated,
you feeling overwhelmed. On top of that, teen hormones can be all
even at minor things
over the place and also make you moody or cry about the smallest
you might have thing. Regular moodiness and sadness usually go away quickly You also may:
though, within a couple of days. Ê Not care about things or activities you used to enjoy.
depression. Depression Ê Have weight loss when you are not dieting or weight gain
from eating too much.
Untreated depression is a more intense feeling of sadness,
Ê Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleep much
hopelessness, and anger or frustration that lasts much longer, such
more than usual.
Ê Depression is a real, treatable brain as for weeks, months, or longer. These feelings make it hard for
Ê Move or talk more slowly.
you to function as you normally would or participate in your usual
illness, or health problem. activities. You may also have trouble focusing and feel like you have Ê Feel restless or have trouble sitting still.
little to no motivation or energy. You may not even feel like seeing Ê Feel very tired or like you have no energy.
Ê Depression can be caused by big your best friends. Depression can make you feel like it is hard to Ê Feel worthless or very guilty.
enjoy life or even get through the day.
Ê Have trouble concentrating, remembering information, or
transitions in life, stress, or changes
making decisions.
in your body’s chemicals that affect Ê Think about dying or suicide or try suicide.
Not everyone experiences depression the same way. And
your thoughts and moods. If you think you are
depression can occur at the same time as other mental health
depressed,
Ê Even if you feel hopeless, depression ask for help problems, such as anxiety, an eating disorder, or substance abuse.
as early as you can.
gets better with treatment.
There are ways you can
Ê There are lots of people who IDf yeopure hsasvioen s ycmanp tgoemt bs eotft deer pwrietshs icoanr efo arn mdo trree athtmane n2t w. Deeokns’,t a wska fito fro hre lp. feel better.
understand and want to help you. depression to go away by itself. If you don’t ask for help, depression
Effective treatments for depression include talk therapy or a
may get worse.
combination of talk therapy and medicine.
Ê Ask for help as early as you can so 1. Talk to:
Talk therapy
Ê Your parents or guardian
you can get back to being yourself. A therapist, such as a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker,
Ê Your teacher or counselor or counselor can help you understand and manage your moods
and feelings. You can talk out your emotions to someone who
Ê Your doctor
understands and supports you. You can also learn how to stop
Ê A helpline, such as 1-800-273-TALK (8255),
thinking negatively and start to look at the positives in life. This
free 24-hour help
will help you build confidence and feel better about yourself.
Ê Or call 911 if you are in a crisis or want to hurt yourself Research has shown that certain types of talk therapy or
psychotherapy can help teens deal with depression. These
2. Ask your parent or guardian to make an appointment with
include cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on thoughts,
your doctor for a checkup. Your doctor can make sure that
behaviors, and feelings related to depression, and interpersonal
you do not have another health problem that is causing your
psychotherapy, which focuses on working on relationships.
depression. If your doctor finds that you do not have another
health problem, he or she can treat your depression or refer you Read more about talk therapies at
to a mental health professional. A mental health professional www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies.
can give you a thorough evaluation and also treat your
Medicines
depression.
If your doctor thinks you need medicine to help your depression, he
3. Talk to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, or she can prescribe an antidepressant. There are a few antidepressants
counselor, psychologist, or other therapist. These mental that have been widely studied and proven to help teens. If your doctor
health professionals can diagnose and treat depression and recommends medicine, it is important to see your doctor regularly
other mental health problems. and tell your parents or guardian about your feelings, especially if
you start feeling worse or have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Read more about medicines for depression at
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Institute of Mental Health