Teen Blues

Feeling crappy is part of being a teenager… Right???

Well… yes and no.

Yes, it is normal to feel a lot of mood swings. Yes, it is normal to feel depressed and “down” sometimes. Yes it is normal to feel blue and/or upset after a particularly negative event, such as a break-up, failed exam, or fight with a parent or friend.

So… how do you know if things have gone too far? How do you know if what you are feeling is in the realm of normal or not?

Well… here are some questions to ask yourself…
Do you feel down, depressed, or irritable most days? Have you felt this way over the past two weeks? Have you lost interest in doing the things you used to do? Have you lost interest in hanging around with your friends?

Do you have problems sleeping? Has your appetite significantly increased or decreased? Do you feel guilty a lot? Do you feel like you have little/no energy? Do you have problems concentrating? Do you have trouble sitting still, or conversely do you have trouble getting yourself to move?

Do you ever have thoughts of suicide? Do you ever have thoughts of hurting yourself? These can range from a very passive… “I wish I had never been born” to a very active… “I am going to kill myself,” with a specific plan of action and certain intent.

If you answered yes to more than one or two questions (or if you answered yes to the question about suicide), you should talk to a responsible adult about this.

If you answered yes to a few or more of the questions, and you have felt similarly for two weeks or more, you may have clinical depression and you may need to see a professional counselor. Talk to your doctor or parent/guardian.

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