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Dealing with Depression

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy. About 20 percent of teens will experience teen depression before they reach adulthood.  If you feel depressed, it's best to do something about it — depression doesn't just go away on its own.

Here are 5 things you can do to help you or a friend feel better:

  1. Exercise. Take a 15- to 30-minute brisk walk every day. People who are depressed may not feel much like being active, but make yourself do it anyway.  You can always ask a friend to exercise with you if you need to be motivated. Once you get in the exercise habit, it won't take long to notice a difference in your mood.
  2. Good nutrition. Depression can affect your appetite. One person may not feel like eating at all, but another might overeat. If depression has affected your eating, you'll need to be extra mindful of getting the right nourishment. Proper nutrition can influence a person's mood and energy, so eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and get regular meals even if you don't feel hungry.
  3. Identify troubles, but don't dwell on them. Try to identify any situations that have contributed to your depression. When you know what's got you feeling blue and why, talk about it with a caring friend.
  4. Express yourself. With depression, a person's creativity and sense of fun may seem blocked. By exercising your imagination (painting, drawing, doodling, sewing, writing, dancing, composing music, etc.) you not only get those creative juices flowing, you also loosen up some positive emotions.
  5. Look on the bright side. Depression affects a person's thoughts, making everything seem dismal, negative, and hopeless. If depression has you noticing only the negative, make an effort to notice the good things in life.

Remember that depression takes time to heal.  To learn more about Teen Depression visit HelpGuide.org.