For immediate help call:
1-800-SUICIDE

For teenagers, it is common and normal to experience a wide variety of fluctuating moods and emotions. It is very normal to sometimes feel sad or unhappy. However, if these types of negative feelings persist for a period of over two weeks, this person may be suffering from the medical illness clinical depression. Below are some possible warning signs typical of a depressed person.

-General feelings of sadness or hopelessness, negative thoughts

-Crying for no reason

-Low self esteem, feeling worthless or empty inside

-Feeling extremely guilty or worthy of punishment

-Change in social activity, difficulty in relationships
-Withdrawing from friends & family (social isolation)
-Increased time spent alone

-Loss of interest in hobbies, inability to enjoy previously favorite activities

-Neglect
-Responsibilities or commitments
-Appearance, unkempt

-Becoming easily irritated or angry; constantly worried or anxious

-Change in sleeping patterns
-Insomnia, having difficulty falling asleep
-Waking up in the middle of the night, frequent nightmares
-Sleeping excessively

-Change in eating habits
-A significant gain or loss of weight
-Loss of appetite, excessive eating

-Change in performance at school
-Marked fall in grades, poor grades
-Inability to concentrate in classes
-Frequent absences from school

-Frequent complaints of physical ailments (i.e. headache, nausea)

-Behavioral changes
-Extreme anger
-Hyperactivity, excessive energy, constant fidgeting
-Very low energy, constant boredom, fatigue

-Inability to cope with daily problems, extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure

-Acting out, self-destructive behavior
-Substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, sex)

-Thoughts of death or suicide

-Threats of/talking about self-harm or threats of harming others

If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, don't ignore it, you could be suffering from clinical depression. Depression is a highly treatable illness, but it requires professional help, so discuss it with your doctor.

"Low self esteem"

"Withdrawing from friends & family"

"Change in sleeping patterns"

"Substance abuse"