Young People & Depression

Recently Deborah has been counselling at a lot of our Christian schools. She says it has surprised and alarmed her at how many young people talk about being depressed, or ask her if the way they are feeling equals depression.

What is depression? Depression can be described as a mental state characterised by feeling low, being despondent, not wanting to participate in life, feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement.

Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through to major depression. It in many ways resembles the grief and mourning that follow bereavement. There are often feelings of low self-esteem, guilt and self-reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact and physical symptoms such as eating and sleeping disturbances.

While there are many forms and levels of severity in depression, one thing is for sure. Depression causes negative effects on the way a person lives, the way a person is perceived, and the stability of their wellbeing. A checklist would include the following themes, and if they—or you—had felt this way in the past four weeks.

Do they/you:

1. Feel tired for no good reason?
2. Feel nervous?
3. Feel so nervous that nothing could calm them/you down?
4. Feel hopeless?
5. Feel restless or fidgety?
6. Feel so restless they/you could not sit still?
7. Feel that everything is an effort?
8. Feel so sad that nothing could cheer them/you up?
9. Feel worthless?

Having depression doesn't mean a person is weak or a failure, or isn't really trying—it means they need support. Everyone, for any number of reasons, feels down at times. The cause can be as major as grief following the death of a loved one, the presence of an illness or the shattering of a personal dream. It can be as "minor" as a disagreement, a speeding ticket or stubborn extra kilos.

Usually events such as these require time to "heal,” and then if the healing was complete, you begin feeling more like yourself. However, if the feelings are more than just "the blues," time will make you feel worse rather than better. Clinical depression is more than a passing phase and does not just disappear on its own.

The good news is depression is treatable and you can begin to live a happy, fulfilling life again. Treatment ranges from stress management, counselling, belief therapy, to the use of medications. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect.

During the time of healing it is important not to set difficult goals for yourself or take on too much responsibility. Do not expect too much too soon. Break things down into small steps. Try to be with other people. Force yourself to participate. Remember, do not accept your negative thinking. It is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.