Depression

This webpage from Young Minds in the United Kingdom provides information for teenagers and young people about depression, including and links to other fact sheets and information.

What is depression?

We all feel low or down at times, but if your negative emotions last a long time or feel very severe, you may have depression.

Depression is a mood disorder where you feel very down all the time. It can happen as a reaction to something like abuse, bullying or family breakdown, but it can also run in families. It also often develops alongside anxiety.

It’s not the same as manic depression, which is another term for bipolar disorder.

It is one of the most common types of mental illness. Although it’s hard to feel optimistic when you’re depressed, there is lots of support available to help you feel better.

Symptoms 

Different people can be affected in different ways. Symptoms can include:

• not wanting to do things that you previously enjoyed
• avoiding friends or social situations
• sleeping more or less than normal
• eating more or less than normal
• feeling irritable, upset, miserable or lonely
• being self-critical
• feeling hopeless
• maybe wanting to self-harm
• feeling tired and not having any energy

Just because you experience one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you’re definitely affected by depression. It’s important to talk to your GP to get a full diagnosis.

What to do next

Take the first step – depression can affect anyone, and you deserve help to feel better. Talk to someone you like and trust, like a teacher, relative, counsellor or friend.