Obviously only a qualified expert can spot depression. However, if you think you may be suffering from depression, compare how you feel against the list given below.
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 bunk school/college or get much lower marks than you used to?
Have you run away? Or do you daydream about running away?
Do you cry or get angry really easily?
Are you consuming alcohol or drugs?
Are you over-sensitive to rejection and failure?
Sometimes it's tricky to distinguish depression from average teenage anxiety but if a few of the above symptoms feel all too familiar, it's possible you may be depression-prone. 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! It is not possible to deal with it alone. So, turn to your parents or an adult you trust - it could be the school counsellor, a favourite teacher or your aunt. The key to getting some help is in asking for it. Alternatively, do some reading on the subject - the net is a good option and will throw up many sites that will help you deal with depression. While you may not find a quick-fix solution, you are sure to find tips that will help make life rosier long-term.
Here are some sites you could refer to for information on depression and how to deal with it.
www.depression.com
www.lifepositive.com/Mind/psychology/stress/
symptoms-of-depression.asp
www.cnsindia.com/Depression/patients/intro.asp
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