Depression
depression; youth; mood; suicide; sadness; mental; illness;
Contents
We all feel sad and low from time to time. This is normal. If you have had something very stressful to cope with you may have felt sad for quite a long time. The word 'depression' is often used for sad feelings, but this topic is about a group of mental illnesses which are called depression. Depression affects the way that some people feel most of the time.
WARNING!
If you feel so depressed that you want to harm yourself, it is important to talk to someone straight away. Tell a person you trust or speak to a health care professional.
In South Australia you could ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19, or anywhere in Australia you could call the Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800.
You could also talk with one of your trusted adults, your doctor or school counsellor.
Symptoms of depression
When someone is depressed he may:
- feel hopeless, like there's nothing to look forward to;
- not be interested in anything, because nothing seems fun anymore;
- have no energy;
- cry and not know why he’s crying;
- feel lonely or unloved;
- not want to be with other people;
- feel anxious, grumpy or bad tempered;
- feel empty or numb;
- want to do nothing but sleep, or be unable to sleep;
- get headaches or stomach aches;
- not eat and lose weight, or eat much more than usual;
- be reckless or take unnecessary risks;
- use more, or start to use, drugs, including alcohol or tobacco;
- think of death or suicide.
If someone is suffering from five or more of these symptoms for most of the time over 2 weeks or longer, then he is probably ‘clinically depressed’ (ie. he has a mental illness called depression).
What causes depression?
Depression can happen for several reasons:
- sometimes there is a genetic risk for depression (other people in the family may have had it);
- sometimes there is a trigger, a stressful event or chain of events, like a family break-up, child abuse, ongoing bullying at school, the death of a friend or family member, a relationship break-up, family conflict, sexual abuse, or several of these things happening close together;
- some women become depressed after they have a baby (post natal depression);
- sometimes it is not clear what has triggered depression.
Getting help for depression
- There are a number of people who can help someone who is depressed. It can be a good idea to start with the family doctor, a doctor or counsellor in a youth health service, or a counsellor at school. They may refer the person to a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. It is best to have professional help to manage depression.
- Medication can be useful for many people with depression, but it is usually not used for younger people unless other therapy such as counselling, changing what is happening at school or home, and support are not helping enough.
- Continuing to do normal activities is important. This can be very hard, but becoming isolated is not good for people who are depressed.
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
Sometimes when someone is depressed it might seem like they just are not making any effort to be happier. But someone who is depressed cannot ‘just pull herself together’ and get on with life.
Here are some ways you could help your friend:
- take her feelings seriously;
- make contact with her often and let her know you're there for her;
- really listen to her wholeheartedly. This will be like a lifeline for her – it might be hard for her to talk at first, so just keep on letting her 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 solve her problem – listening and caring is the most important thing.
- offer to make an appointment for her to see a school counsellor, a community health worker or doctor, and offer to go with her to the appointment;
- spend time with her doing things that she wants to do;
- let her know you care.
If your friend tells you that she is thinking of suicide, take this seriously and talk to someone about it, even if she says that she wants it to be a secret.
- Talk to a trusted adult, counsellor, teacher or doctor.
- You can ring the Kids Helpline (on 1800 55 1800),
- or the Youth Healthline in South Australia (on 1300 13 17 19),
- the Mental Health Emergency Service or one of the emergency services like Crisis Care on page 3 of your local phone book (White Pages).
In South Australia, emergency telephone numbers are also listed on the Service SA website.
Take care of yourself
- Helping someone who is depressed is not easy at times. It can be hard to know what to do and the person can be angry and unaware of the effect their feelings and behaviour are having on you.
- Learn some more about depression – have a look at some of the sites listed below.
- Talk to someone about how it is for you.
- Take some time off, spend time doing things that you enjoy, and be with people who you like.
- Make sure that you care for your health by exercising and eating well.
Josh says:
"Every teenager has times when he or she feels down. Being a teenager is not easy. Changes in your body, feelings, more schoolwork, trying to keep up with friends, or wanting to be treated as an adult all lead to more stress. Some days, all sorts of stresses seem to attack at once! As some famous guy once said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” To me that means not worrying about stuff I can’t change, stuff that isn’t my problem.
That way I can work through the stuff I can do something about, and be more positive about my life."
South Australia
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS):
- Central: 57 Hyde Street, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Road, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Road, Elizabeth
Contact TSS via the Youth Healthline: 1300 13 17 19
mobile phone callers: (08) 8303 1691 - normal rates apply
- Mood Disorder Association (SA) Inc: Telephone 8221 5170
(support groups, information and counselling)
- Your local community health centre
- Your family doctor
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
(for people under 18)
Southern CAMHS
Northern CAHMS
- South Australian Mental Health Services and programs (for people 18 and over)
- these are listed on the Adelaide University site.
- Women's Information Service has up to date contacts in South Australia:
Telephone: 8303 0590
Free call for country areas: 1800 188 158.
Australia
General
Reach Out – information about mental health problems, family and relationship problems.
Beyondblue - the national depression initiative (Australia).
Blue Pages - Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University.
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression - (CRUFAD) WHO Collaborating Centre, University of New South Wales.
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).