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INDEX Page
SECTION 1 - HD
Talking With Children
Families & Coping With HD
What Young People Think~HD
HD & Me: A Guide For Young People
Do You Have A Sibling With HD?
SECTION 2 - Knowledge!
What Is Abuse?
What Are Signs of Abuse?
What Is Attention Deficit? (AD-HD)
Emotional~Helping Your Child
Alcoholic Parent? What You Should Know
How Do I Handle Anger?
What Is Anxiety?
How Do I Handle Bad Moods?
What Is A Bipolar Disorder?
How Does My Brain Work?
What Are My Brain Parts?
Brain Foods & Actions
What Is A Chronic Illness?
Handout: 25 Tips To Help Someone
What Is Depression?
Are You Depressed?
What Happens On A Physical Exam?
What Will Happen At A Hospital?
What Is A Drug/Drinking Problem?
How Can Drugs Harm Me?
What Are Epilepsy~Seizures?
Do My Feelings Matter?
All About Genes
Explain Hyperactivity To Me
What's It Like Living With JHD?
~JHD HDSA Project
What Is A Learning Disability?
How DO Medicines Work?
How Does Our Memory Work?
What Is Obsessive Compulsive?
What Is An Occupational Therapist?
What Senses Pain?
Phoebia's
What Is Physical Therapy?
What Is Speech Therapy?
What Is A Psychologist? Psychiatrist?
Thinking About Running Away?
Why Do I Feel Sad?
Why Is Sleep Important?
Special Needs Kids-What's It Like?
Feeling Stressed Out?
Suicide~Helping A Friend
Does Talking To Parents Help?
What About Teens & Suicide?
What Is Seeing A Therapist Like?
Tell Me About Wheelchair Use
Tell Me About Dying
~ Grief
SECTION 3 - Links
HD Support Groups
HD Information
Medical Stuff
Good Stuff!
Fun Learning!
Got Talent?
Fun Stuff
Live Chat Room
Message Forum
Add A Link
Kelly E. Miller
Fun Quotes
Are You Depressed?

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                                                 Gosh, my feelings can be helped!

Depression is a common disorder that affects all different types of people.
It doesn't matter how old you are, where you live, or what color you are.

Although depression affects different people in many of the same ways
and for many of the same reasons, there is no single factor that makes
people become depressed. It is often a combination of possible causes
(like genetics, family problems, or drug abuse, for example) that leads to
depression.

So how can you tell the difference between depression and unhappy
moods or the "blues"? And what warning signs can you look for in
yourself or someone you care about?

Everyone experiences ups and downs. These are a natural part of being
human, and especially a part of being a teen in a world that may often
seem difficult or confusing. It's perfectly normal to feel sad or down from
time to time depending on what's going on in your life.

But your low feelings should not last for more than a few days, make you
feel so badly that you lose interest in stuff you used to enjoy, or make
you feel like you are unable to do things the way you could before.
Drastic changes in behaviors or feelings, like eating or sleeping a lot or
experiencing continual mood swings, can be warning signs of depression.

Doctors have agreed on the basic symptoms of the most common forms
of depression that affect teens. It's not the name of the disorder that's
important, but the symptoms you are experiencing and how depression
is changing your life.

If you think you may be depressed, it's important to get professional help
right away. A trusted adult can help you begin the process. If you are so
depressed that you have thought about suicide, it can't wait another minute.
The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better. The good news is
that most of the people who get help for their depression are able to feel
better and improve their lives.

This goes for a friend, too. If you have a friend who you think is depressed,
make sure you or your friend talks to an adult who can find the right
treatment. Let your friend know that you are there for support during this
difficult time.

The important thing to remember is that depression is very common and
doesn't mean that someone is weak or a bad person. And remember that
asking for help is the most important first step toward feeling better

Updated and reviewed by: Kim Rutherford, MD
Date reviewed: September 2001
Originally reviewed by:
Steve Dowshen, MD

Source:
KidsHealth www.KidsHealth.com is a project of The Nemours Foundation which is
dedicated to improving the health and spirit of children. Today, as part of its
continuing mission, the Foundation supports the operation of a number of renowned
children's health facilities throughout the nation, including the Alfred I. duPont
Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Nemours Children's Clinics
throughout Florida. Visit The Nemours Foundation to find out more about them and
its health facilities for children http://www.nemours.org/no/