Sure, everybody feels sad or blue now and then. But if youre
sad most of the time, and its giving you problems with: Grades and
attendance Relationships with family and friends Substance abuse
Controlling your behavior in other ways The problem may be
depression. The good news is you can get help and feel better When
depression is not treated, it can get worse, last longer, and
prevent you from getting the most out of this important time of
your life.
Slide 3
Depression has been called the common cold of emotions.
Everyone has times when they feel down or sad. Examples: a friend
moves away, relationship breakups, family trouble, being bullied,
etc. DEPRESSION CONTINUUM Feeling Down or Sad Clinical Depression
Where are you ? The closer you are to the right end, the more
important it is to get help.
Slide 4
ALERT: Knowing the difference between the daily turmoil of
growing up and diagnosable depression may mean the difference
between life and death. Left untreated, depression can lead to:
Eating disorders Headaches Sleep disorders Relationship problems
with family and friends Poor health Substance abuse Self-injury
(Cutting, scratching, burning oneself) Suicide
Slide 5
Acute Depression The temporary kind Feeling sad or down Short
period of time Cry easily Feel guilty for no reason Low self
confidence Negative attitude for a short time Changes in sleep
habits Changes in eating habits Clinical Depression The I need help
kind Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy Isolating from
family and friends Loss of energy Thinking about or actually
injuring yourself Feeling like dying Thoughts about committing
suicide
Slide 6
Talk to someone Parents Teacher Counselor Clergy Family doctor
A responsible adult Take care of yourself Exercise for an hour
several times a week Eat balanced, nutritional foods Establish
regular sleep habits (Go to bed, dont stay up watching T.V. or
playing Video Games) Stay caught up on school work and chores Find
healthy ways to reduce stress Go outside and get some sunshine
Slide 7
Slide 8
Everyone feels sad or down sometimes. Hurting yourself does not
make depression go away Talking to someone who cares is one way to
deal with depression Depression that lasts for a long time
indicates that a person needs help to manage their symptoms Things
do get better!