Depression
depression; suicide; cigarettes; smoking; antidepressants; self harm; sad; tobacco;
Contents
We all feel sad and low from time to time. This is normal. In a normal day people can go through a range of emotions. Having low feelings and depressive thoughts for a long time is different however. Sometimes people can suffer from 'clinical' depression, which means the depression has symptoms that indicate that the feelings of being 'down' are not just due to something going wrong in the person's life. It is more than those normal feelings of sadness.
Different people describe depression differently, and it may not feel exactly the same for any two people.
About 25% of young people suffer depression by the time they are 24, but very few seek help. This is often due to not understanding depression and being worried about what their friends might think.
Warning!
If you feel so depressed that you want to harm yourself, it's important to talk to someone now. Tell a person you trust, or speak to a health care professional.
In South Australia if you need assistance during business hours Monday to Friday call Assessment Crisis Intervention Service (ACIS) on 13 14 65. Crisis Care is there for you on 13 16 11 on weekends and after hours during the week.
In other places contact your doctor, local hospital or 24 hour emergency number.
Symptoms of depression
- unusual sad mood that does not go away
- loss of enjoyment in activities that used to be enjoyable
- lack of energy or tiredness
- feeling anxious
- feeling empty or numb
- feeling lonely or unloved
- not being interested in anything, because nothing seems fun anymore
- crying and not knowing why you're crying
- getting headaches or stomach aches
- not eating, and losing weight
- eating much more than usual
- not being able to get to sleep, or waking up early
- wanting to do nothing but sleep
- feeling grumpy or bad tempered
- starting to use, or using more drugs, including alcohol or tobacco
- thinking of death or suicide - all threats or talk of suicide should be taken seriously.
If someone is suffering from five or more of these symptoms, including at least one of the first two, for most of the time over 2 weeks or longer, then they are probably depressed.
Sometimes people who are depressed are made to feel bad because they have some of these symptoms. Family and friends may just think they are being lazy. The depressed person can be made to feel like they just don't make any effort, and this can cause further suffering and a deeper sense of depression. Often the person with depression is not aware of the symptoms themselves. They can feel embarrassed and won't ask for help because of this embarrassment.
What causes depression?
Depression can happen for several reasons:
- Sometimes there is a family tendency to get depression.
- Sometimes there are reasons like a family break-up, child abuse, ongoing bullying at school, rape, the death of a friend or family member, a relationship break-up, family conflict, or several of these things happening close together.
- Some women become depressed after they have a baby.
- Sometimes there is no obvious reason.
- Sometimes there can be a lack of certain chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Sometimes a person with depression may not produce enough.
Although each person will experience depression differently, there is some evidence that young women are more likely to be sad and withdrawn, and that young men tend to act out in antisocial ways when depressed – like being aggressive or stealing.
There may be a higher prevalence of depression in Indigenous Australians, same-sex attracted people and refugees.
Ways to deal with depression
How you manage depression depends on the type of depression and how bad it is. Some of the following things can be very helpful:
- Talk to a friend or person you trust.
- Counselling could help you understand the reason for depression and sort out practical problems - you could talk to your doctor or a counsellor at your local school or community health centre. Check out the topic Counselling.
- Some studies suggest that what you eat affects your mood. A good balanced diet will make sure you have all the essential nutrients needed for your brain to function well. Check out Healthy eating to learn more.
- Exercise. Studies have shown that after only 30 minutes of exercise people get a boost of good feelings. 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3 times a week is what you should aim for. Check out our topic Exercise for some ideas.
- Try to relax more. Relaxation exercises are a good way to reduce stress, check out our topic Stress and relaxation.
- Do creative things like writing and drawing - different forms of expression other than talking. Check out the topic Creativity.
- Anti-depressant drugs - modern drugs are effective, and will not send you to sleep, but they should be used with regular check ups and counselling support. Most doctors will be reluctant to prescribe medication to people under about 18 years old.
What not to do
Some people use alcohol or other drugs to block out the depression. These don't make things better, and can have very bad side effects.
Ways to help a friend who seems depressed
You could help your friend by:
- taking your friend's feelings seriously
- letting your friend know you're there and really listening wholeheartedly. This can be like a lifeline – it might be hard for people to talk at first, so just keep on letting your friend know you're there. It can also be hard for you, because your friend might cry and become very distressed. You don't have to try to 'fix' it – listening and caring is the most important thing.
- offering to make an appointment to see a counsellor, a community health worker or doctor
- offering to go with your friend to the appointment
- spending time doing things that your friend want to do
- letting your friend know you care.
Resources
South Australia
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
Contact TSS via the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19,
or for mobile phone callers (08) 8303 1691 - normal rates apply
- Assessment Crisis Intervention Service (ACIS): 13 14 65
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (for people under 18)
Telephone: 8161 7389 (enquiries)
Metropolitan services:
- Elizabeth: (08) 8252 0133
- Marion: (08) 8298 7744
- Noarlunga: (08) 8326 1234
- Paradise: (08) 8207 8999
- Port Adelaide: (08) 8341 1222
Country services:
- Mount Gambier: (08) 8724 7055
- Murray Bridge: (08) 8535 6780
- Riverland: (08) 8582 4290
- Pt Augusta: 1800 819 089
- Pt Lincoln 1800 819 089
- Pt Pirie 1800 819 089
- Whyalla 1800 819 089
- South Australian Mental Health Service (for people 18 and over)
Telephone: 8303 1111 (enquiries)
- Women's Information Service has up to date contacts in South Australia
Telephone: 8303 0590; free call for country areas: 1800 188 158
- Mood Disorder Association (SA) Inc
Tel: 8221 5170 (support groups, information and counselling)
- Your local Community Health Centre
- Your doctor
Australia
It may be hard to get counselling help, since there are not many psychologists, psychiatrists or doctors trained in working with teenagers.
General
References
Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) - Suicide Prevention:
http://www.auseinet.com/suiprev/index.php
Brown, R. 'Self Harm and Suicide Risk for Same-Sex Attracted Young People: A
Family Perspective'. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH), 2002, Vol 1(1).
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/journal/vol1iss1/brown.pdf
Ellis P M & Smith D A R. Treating depression: The beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care. Medical Journal of Australia, 2002, 176(10)http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_10_200502/ell10082_fm.html
Mabery, D. L. Gender differences in the relationship between depression, internalizing/externalizing problems, and personality styles in adolescents. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: the Sciences & Engineering. Vol 63(6-B), Jan 2002, 3014, US: Univ Microfilms International.
Bartholomew, J. et al. Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood and Well-Being in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37(12): 2032-2037, December 2005.
Van Voorhees B, Fogel J, Houston T, Cooper L, Wang N, and Ford, D. 'Beliefs and Attitudes Associated With the Intention to Not Accept the Diagnosis of Depression Among Young Adults'. Annals of Family Medicine, 2005; 3: 38-46. Online (cited 7/2/05):
http://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/full/3/1/38
Tkach, C. and Lyumbomirsky, S. 'How do people pursue happiness? Relating personality, happiness-increasing strategies, and well-being'. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2006; 7:183-225. Online (cited 28/8/06):
http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~sonja/papers/TL2006.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).