Depression

 


Depression
Lately Lindsay hasn't felt like herself. Her friends have noticed it, too. Kia was surprised when Lindsay turned down her invitation to go shopping last Saturday (she always loves to shop). There was really no reason not to go, but Lindsay just didn't feel like it. Instead, she spent most of Saturday sleeping.
But staying in more than usual isn't the only change in Lindsay. She's always been a really good student, but over the past couple of months her grades have fallen pretty dramatically, and she has trouble concentrating. She's even failed a couple of tests, and she hasn't yet turned in a paper that was due last week.
When she gets home from practice, she's not hungry for dinner. Though she usually manages to eat a little something with her family, she just doesn't have much of an appetite - and nothing seems to taste as good as it used to. After dinner, Lindsay goes to her room, does a bit of homework, and goes to bed. She's not even in the mood to talk on the phone with her friends.
When her mother asks her what's wrong, Lindsay feels like crying but doesn't know why. Everything seems wrong, yet nothing particularly bad has happened. Lindsay just feels sad all the time and can't shake it. Lindsay may not realize it yet, but she is depressed.
Depression is very common and affects as many as one in eight people in their teen years. Depression affects people of every color, race, economic status, or age; however, it does seem to affect more females than males during adolescence and adulthood.
How Do People Respond to Someone Who's Depressed?
Sometimes friends or family members can recognize that a person is depressed. They may respond with love, kindness, or support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. They may offer to listen if the person wants to talk - although depressed people often don't feel much like talking or can't find the words to describe what's wrong. If the depressed feeling doesn't pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor or mental health professional.
But not everyone recognizes depression when it happens to someone they know. And some people have incorrect ideas about what it means to be depressed. People who don't understand may react to the depressed person's low energy with criticism, scolding them for acting lazy or not trying. Some people mistakenly believe that depression is simply an attitude a person can change or a mood they can shake. It's not that easy.