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Everybody feels low now and then. But depression is a real medical illness. It can affect anybody, including teenagers. About 1 in 20 teenagers may be depressed, so it's common to feel this way.¹

The good news is you can get treatment and feel better soon. When depression isn't treated, it can last longer and stop you from getting the most out of this important time in your life.^{2 3}

You may be depressed if you have the two main symptoms and at least two other symptoms for more than two weeks.^{2 4}

• You feel sad and you might cry a lot, and your sadness doesn't go away. Or you get upset a lot and little things make you lose your temper.
• You don't feel like doing a lot of the things you used to, such as being with friends, listening to music or playing sports. You want to be left alone most of the time.

• You don't feel like eating or you eat a lot more.
• You start sleeping a lot or more, or you have problems getting to sleep.
• Life seems like it doesn't have any meaning or like nothing good is ever going to happen again.
• You feel restless or tired most of the time.
• You feel guilty for no reason, and you feel like you're no good.
• You have a hard time making up your mind. You forget lots of things and it's hard to focus.
• You think about death or feel like you're dying. You may even think about trying to kill yourself.

Sometimes feeling sad can switch to a very high mood called mania. When you go back and forth between bouts of mania and bouts of depression, it's known as manic depression. You may also hear it called bipolar disorder.

When you have mania, you:³

• Feel high as a kite
• Get unreal ideas about what you can do
• Have thoughts race through your head
• Jump from one subject to another and talk a lot
• Do wild or risky things
• Need very little sleep
• Are rebellious or cranky
• Can't get along at home or at school.

If you're worried about depression in yourself or your friend, talk to someone who can help you get treatment. You can ask your doctor or school nurse, your parent or your teacher. Most teenagers can be helped with a talking treatment (psychotherapy), medicine or both. The sooner you get treatment, the better.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.