I sat in my room all day. I didn't feel like hanging out with people or talking to my parents. Nothing seemed interesting anymore. I couldn't concentrate on reading a book or even watching a movie. It wasn't like anything specific was wrong — I mean, I had a decent relationship with my parents, I had cool friends, I got good grades. I felt like I had no reason to complain.

But at some point, I got fed up. I just couldn't take it anymore. So I went to my friend's mom, who was a school psychologist. She told me she thought I might be depressed, and referred me to a clinical psychologist, who diagnosed me with depression. Now, it seems totally obvious to me, but back then, it was a revelation — and a relief. At least I found out what the problem was, and I knew that help was on the way.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health , nearly 22 million Americans suffer from depression — and three million of those are teenagers and kids. If you're depressed, you may feel alone, but the fact is, you're not alone.

Moody or Depressed?

A lot of people expect teenagers to be "moody," right? Well, everyone goes through ups and downs, but teens with depression are so bogged down that it interferes significantly with their day-to-day lives. Depression is more than just being sad. A person who is depressed experiences a number of these symptoms:

  • Life seems like it has no meaning — you feel like nothing good is ever going to happen again.
  • You've lost interest in the things you used to like — hanging out with friends, sports, music.
  • You feel sad or cry a lot and it doesn't go away, or you have no feelings about anything.
  • You feel guilty for no reason, or you feel worthless.
  • You often get angry and overreact to criticism, or feel restless and easily agitated.
  • Your sleep patterns change — you start sleeping a lot, you have trouble falling asleep at night, or you wake up really early in the morning and you can't get back to sleep.
  • You feel less energetic or "slowed down."
  • You have difficulty concentrating, remember things, or making decisions. You may not do as well in school as you used to, or haveproblems with authority figures.
  • Your eating habits change — you've lost your appetite, or you eat a lot more all of a sudden.
  • You may start to experiment with drugs or alcohol.
  • You think about death a lot of the time, or you think about killing yourself.

What Can I Do?

If you feel depressed, it's vital that you talk to someone who can help you through it. Friends can be a great support system, but often, that's not enough. Teens who are unhappy and think they may be depressed may want to talk with a trusted adult, like a parent, guidance counselor, teacher, or clinician, who can help them get connected with a professional who can talk to them, make a professional diagnosis, and suggest treatment, if it's necessary. For more information and resources, check out the National Mental Health Association's Resource Center. Or, you can contact Planned Parenthood for a referral.

Being depressed is nothing to be embarrassed about. It's not a character flaw — it's an illness. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can get on track to feeling better. Being a teenager is hard enough without having to carry that extra weight around. And remember, you're not alone.