No, I did not write this because it's Spirit Day.

Today, there are many things that affect people in negative ways. While it is able to affect anyone, the focus of this blog will mainly be on teens, for that is what I am.
At the high school level, have any of you stopped and thought about how many smiling people were dying on the inside and out?

Depression affects almost every teenager at some point or another, it seems. While not all are "serious," a good portion are. Clinical depression affects over 17 million Americans each year; nearly 12 million women and over 6 million men. Clinical depression is quite common, but also usually unrecognized and untreated. Without treatment or help, those with this type of depression cannot get better. Clinical depression is not something you can just will away. It is also not a sign of weakness, like most seem to believe.
Clinical depression comes in different forms: Major depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar Disorder. Major depression is a combination of symptoms [listed below] that interfere with your  life- your ability to work, eat, sleep, and have fun. Dysthymia is a less severe version of major depression, with a longer period of less severe symptoms that do not keep you from functioning. Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is alternate periods of depression and elation. Sometimes, these periods may be rapid, but other times, they're gradual. (I guess it just depends on the person.) You can go for a very long time not knowing that you have any of these, mainly because when people have these kinds of depression, they think it isn't serious and don't want to make a big deal out of it or burden their friends with their problems. Or, the person may not want help and/or think they are unable to be helped. This is not true, and everyone who suspects they may have clinical depression need to seek help.
Below are a list of symptoms, taken from the UHS Tang Center website.

Physical:

• Sleep disturbances-insomnia, oversleeping, waking much earlier than usual
• Changes in appetite or eating: much more or much less
• Decreased energy, fatigue
• Headaches, stomachaches, digestive problems or other physical symptoms that are not explained by other physical conditions or do not respond to treatment

Behavioral/Attitude:

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, such as going out with friends, hobbies, sports, sex, etc.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Neglecting responsibilities or personal appearance

Emotional:

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood, lasting two or more weeks
• Crying "for no reason"
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, guilty or worthless
• Feeling irritable, agitated or anxious
• Thoughts of death or suicide

There are many, many other things that affect teens. I was also going to cover eating disorders, but I don't want to overload this blog, so maybe I'll do that next time.

 I certainly suggest that if you exhibit a good amount of the symptoms listed above, to talk to your doctor about it.

Remember, someone out there loves you and you can get better. :)