Depression Information
Are you depressed or just going through a rough time?
Everyone feels down at some points during their lives. As long as such feelings don’t persist, day after day, some discouragement can be normal, particularly during times of high stress. However, if the feelings of sadness and discouragement “set in” and begin interfering with friendships, family relationships, school work, etc., you may be depressed.
SOME SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE DEPRESSION
- Sleep difficulty (difficulty getting to sleep, frequent awakening, or sleeping too much)
- Loss of interest/pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
- Frequent feelings of worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness, pessimism
- Increased restlessness, irritability
- High levels of anxiety
- Increased difficulty with concentration
- Thoughts of suicide
- Feeling very alone—withdrawing from family and friends—isolating
- Frequent crying
- Increased or decreased appetite
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE DEPRESSED OR ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, TELL AN ADULT WHO IS IN A POSITION TO GET SOME HELP FOR YOU. DEPRESSION IS A VERY TREATABLE CONDITION!
If you have a friend who is talking about suicide, please tell the School Social Worker, your Academic Counselor or a Campus Minister! You are not betraying your friend to tell a trusted adult. Suicidal talk or behavior is a secret you should NOT keep!
