Health: Tell Someone about Depression by Ray McDonald

Mental health problems occur everywhere all around the United States. Different people go through very different struggles, some worse than others. Unfortunately, many depressed teenagers go undiagnosed. This can be dangerous because subsequently, the teenagers do not get the help that they need to live a happy and healthy life. Some of the symptoms of depression are constant mood swings, sleeping too much or too little, appetite change (whether that be eating more or eating less), feeling hopeless and alone, getting angry easily, a lack of concentration, weight loss or weight gain, constantly thinking negatively, and having low grades. If you are reading this and you believe that you have some type of depression, do not hold it in and suppress it. Do not tell yourself that this is just a stage and it will pass. You need to tell somebody, even if you think your problem isn't severe enough for attention. Go to your doctor and take a depression screening. You will not regret it, because once you go in and tell somebody, that is the first step to happiness. Although depression isn’t curable, according to www.psychologytoday.com, it is still very treatable. Once you get help, they can start you on medication and you can talk to a therapist. Most people say that they do not need help, but deep down, it's essential to getting better.

Depression can make a person think scary and irrational thoughts. Unfortunately, that is what occurs; however, those who suffer from depression have the opportunity to fix that state of mind and alter those thoughts for the better. When someone has these hazardous thoughts, they tend to self harm. Self harm is when one causes injury to themselves on purpose. It is a way to cope with what you’re feeling at the moment and it gives a quick relief from the pain. Self injury can also be a way to have control over your body when you feel as if you cannot control what is going on around you. It could be seen as a reminder that someone is still, in fact, alive and breathing. Different types of self harm can be cutting of the skin, hitting yourself / banging your head, burning, pinching, or scratching. Those are not the answers. If you feel as if that helps you I promise it just makes you much worse. There are plenty of different ways that one may cope with this pain that they are feeling at that moment. One of the ways is to talk to somebody; if one doesn’t want to talk to anybody, there are different alternatives. For example, you can draw, go for a run, take a shower, read a book, listen to happy music, call a friend, call a therapist, tell your parents, write poetry, etc. For more alternatives visit www.adolescentselfinjuryfoundation.com.

If you are depressed or feel a friend is depressed, the best thing to do is to tell somebody. You may not think that isn’t the best idea but it is. You may save a life if you tell somebody. Many suicide victims suffer from major depression disorder. Save a life and tell somebody if you are worried about a friend. One may ask, “But what if I made a promise not to tell?” That is the most common line friends use to tell each other how they really feel. If someone says that to you, no matter who they are, you need to warn and tell somebody of the situation. If you feel that you are in a state of emergency and you just know that you are going to do something you regret, call 9-1-1 and they will send help and support. If you are in a crisis and want to talk to someone immediately, call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255). The line is open 24 hours a day and someone is always willing to help.