DEPRESSION OR FEELING 'BLUE'

As a teenager, there are so many changes taking place in your body and with your emotions that it can be very overwhelming. You might feel like you are in a great mood one minute and a bad one the next. This roller coaster of emotions is normal. It's OK to have the blues sometimes and there are things you can do to feel better. Try these tips to improve your mood:

· Know that what you are going through is very common.

· Find a way to relax, such as sitting down and taking a deep breath or taking a shower.

· Talk to your friends, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors or doctors about what you are feeling. They can help you sort through your emotions.

· Get some exercise. When you exercise, your body makes more special chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins can help improve your mood.

· Make sure that you get enough rest. Being tired can make you feel more stressed.

There is a big difference between having the blues and having depression. Depression is a serious illness that affects many young people. The good news is that depression can be treated. Make sure to talk to your doctor or school counselor about any worries you have about depression.

While some signs of depression can seem a lot like just having the blues, there is a way to know if you need to talk to your doctor about depression. See your doctor about depression if:

· You have five or more of the symptoms listed below for at least two weeks, or

· Any one of these symptoms gets in the way of school or family life.

If your doctor decides that you do have depression, there are many ways it can be treated. The important thing is to get help.

With all the changes taking place and new demands on your time, it is normal for you and your friends to feel down sometimes. If you have a friend who has been down for weeks, she or he may be dealing with depression. There are ways you can help. To learn how, check out the article "What to Do When a Friend Is Depressed" below.