This year, around one in 20 young people aged 16 to 25 will experience depression. Girls are at twice the risk of developing the illness as boys 1.
Doctor Nicole Highet, psychologist and deputy CEO of beyondblue: the national depression initiative, explains what depression is and what to do if you think you or one of your mates might be going through it.
What is depression?
Depression isn’t just feeling sad or down, it’s a serious condition. A person might feel sad or down but as well they may have lost interest in the activities they used to like doing. There is a range of physical symptoms like loss of sleep and changes in appetite and feeling tired. These symptoms usually persist for more than two weeks.
People with depression often say they feel helpless, worthless or hopeless. They tend to think negatively. They can become withdrawn, isolated and sometimes use drugs and alcohol to help them feel better. Teenagers often describe feeling down, miserable, isolated and sad and teary. Quite often young people use drugs and alcohol when they experience depression because they feel so down and out they want to feel some elation even if it’s only for a short period of time. The problem is that the drugs and alcohol just make the depression worse and in some cases drugs and alcohol can actually cause the depression.
Can we prevent depression?
Good diet, good exercise and good friendships are all very important and can help prevent depression. Some people will be more prone to depression than others. For example, if you have a history of depression in your family or you’ve had depression before, you’re more at risk. The most important thing is to learn as much as you can about depression so you understand what the signs and symptoms are. That way, if you see a change in yourself, or someone close to you, you can get to help as soon as possible. That’s the best way to prevent it from becoming serious - nip it in the bud.
Who do we contact about depression?
You can contact the beyondblue information line 1300 22 4636 for some excellent material about depression or you can find plenty of information on this site, including our Fact sheet on depression in young people.
If you are concerned, talk to a doctor about it. Reading the information on the website or talking to someone from our info line may give you a good idea about whether you may or may not be experiencing depression and it’s a good way to begin the conversation. Filling out one of our checklists and taking it along to an appointment with your school counsellor or General Practitioner is a great starting point.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics - 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
