depression

Serious, or clinical, depression takes many forms. Here are the main ones:

Major depressive disorder (unipolar or clinical depression)
You plunge into total sadness and hopelessness for weeks or months at a time. The despair can be so intense that eating, sleeping or just getting out of bed becomes almost impossible. You often think about suicide. Some people succeed.

Manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder)
You not only have episodes of deep, dark depression, you also have spells of feeling as high as a kite when you're so up, that for two weeks to five monthes straight you go with little sleep, party nonstop and/or do reckless things like spend all your money or crash your car. New research shows teens are often misdiagnosed because they haven't experienced an "up" stage yet. This is very dangerous, because the medications prescribed for major depression can trigger a manic episode.

Dysthymia (dis-thigh-me-ah)
While other kinds of depression strikes in episodes that last weeks or months, dysthymia may linger for years where life is like a sky that is always overcast. It can keep you from reaching your potencial at school or at your job, maintaining a social life or just having a good time.

SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
This form of depression, which usually hits in winter, is associated with lack of daylight. In Alaska, where the days get really short, up to 10 percent of residents may suffer from it. The symptoms include lethargy, hopelessness, sleeping more than usual, carb craving and over-eating. Recent research shows that sitting that sitting under a bright, artifical light for as little as 30 minutes per day can help. Getting outside and exercising (even if it's dark) does too.

Shocking Numbers
  • Amoung 15 to 24-year-olds, suicide was the third leading cause of death in 1995.
  • As many as 2 million teens are seriously depressed. Most of them are girls.
  • Depression is one of the most common medical problems in the United States, costing the country up to $43 billion per year.
  • People suffering from major depression experience more pain (and spend more time in bed) than most people with heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
  • Untreated, an average episode of depression lasts about six months.
  • Patients hospitalized with all sorts of diseases are twice as likely to die within two years if they were depressed when they were admitted.


    • Are you over the edge?
    Answer YES or NO to the following questions to see if you might need help for depression.
    1. I feel sad most of the time Yes No
    2. I have trouble doing or enjoying activities that I used to do. Yes No
    3. I can't sleep or I sleep too much. Yes No
    4. I notice that I am not hungry and/or am losing weight. Yes No
    5. I can't make decisions. Yes No
    6. I feel hopeless. I feel worthless. Yes No
    7. I get tired for no reason. Yes No
    8. I have excessive, uncontrolled energy and I can't control my behaviour. Yes No
    9. I am hypertalkative and people tell me to slow down. Yes No
    10. I think about killing myself. Yes No

    If you answered yes to five or more of these questions, you may be suffering from clinical depression and should get help from a mental health care professional. (See "Save me!") If you answered yes to the last question, seek help immediately, no matter what.

    This test was developed by National Depression Screening Director Douglas G. Jacobs, M.D. It is not designed to provide an actual diagnosis of depression. For that you'll need an evaluation by a health care professional.

    If you feel desperate or suicidal, call 911. Otherwise, here are some good resources:
  • National Mental Health Association
    www.nmha.org
    (800) 969-6642--for information and referrals


  • National Institute of Mental Health
    www.nimh.nih.gov
    (800) 421-4211--for lots of free info about depression


  • Great site: www.depression.com


  • Great book: When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain (Kurt's cousin), R.N.C., Free Spirit Publishing, 1998
    • A small disclaimer:
    Please note that all above information was taken from the March 1999 issue of JUMP magazine, and was not written by myself. Thank-you!

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