Behavioral deficits: Socially withdrawn, doesn't talk, indecisive, can't work regularly, difficulty communicating, slower speech and gait... loss of appetite, weight change, stays in bed... less sexual activity, poor personal grooming, and doing less for fun.

Emotional reactions: Feels sad, feels empty or lacks feelings of all kinds, tired ("everything is an effort")... nervous or restless, angry and grouchy (adolescents), irritable, overreacts to criticism... bored, apathetic, "nothing is enjoyable," feels socially abandoned and/or has less interest in relationships, sex, food, drink, music, current events, etc.

Lack of skills: Poor social skills, frequently whiny or boring, critical, lack of humor... indecisive, poor planning for future and unable to see "solutions."

Attitudes and motivation: Low self-concept, lack of self-confidence and motivation, pessimistic or hopeless, feels helpless or like a failure, expects the worst... self-critical, guilt, self-blaming, "People would hate me if they knew me"... suicidal thoughts, "I wish I had never been born."

Physical symptoms: Difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively, awaking early... hyperactivity or sluggishness, diurnal moods (worse in the morning)... low sex drive, loss of appetite, weight loss or gain, indigestion, constipation, headaches, dizziness, pain, and other somatic problems or complaints.

Several childhood experiences have been linked to adult depression:

(1) feeling guilty as a child; or feeling the blame for something as a child
(2) a strained relationship with the same-sexed parent, especially if a divorce is involved
(3) losing a parent/brother/sister; favorite playmate, cousin, aunt or uncle; losing a pet
(4) dominant, over-protective or controlling parents using poor child-rearing practices, especially if fathers gave poor child care
(5) missing parents, abandonment, or neglect
(6) sexually molested, sodomized or raped as a child
(7) abused family members, or abused children themselves
(8) a parent/parents who suffered from alcoholism, depression or anxiety
(9) being traumatized as a child; (i.e.: fire, flood, accident, or other life-threatening experiences)

The following have been linked to depression in adolescents:

(1) low self-esteem
(2) "acting out" anti-social behavior
(3) over-involvement with peer group and little with parents
(4) over-involvement with parents and little with peers
(5) authoritarian parents or "do-what-you-want" parents
(6) depressed parents
(7) sexually molested, raped or sodomized; victims of "date-rape"
(8) pressures of maintaining good grades
(9) pressures of staying in or not being allowed to be a member of the "in crowd"
(10) teen pregnancy; sexual pressures in dating; and peer pressure to have sex or drink alcohol
(11) neglect or cheating from a boyfriend/girlfriend; the longing for love, family or even marriage; strained, bad or failed relationships
(12) the death of close family members, friends, fellow classmates/peers, or celebrity idols or icons
(13) drinking alcohol or drug use; smoking marijuana was highly linked to teens suffering from depression

What you can do about it: Seek professional help. It is nothing to be ashamed of, or feel stupid about. You are suffering from the same disorder as over 75% of the American population, (including children, adolescents, and adults). There are also the guidance couselor at school, a close friend, lots of help/cope lines set up in various cities and towns around the globe, just for this purpose, with trained professionals, who can help you through that lonely night, or talk to you to help you make it through an episode of it, and you can remain annonymous when calling, still receiving the help you need. Most of the help or cope lines cost nothing, only your courage to pick up the phone and your desire to get better.

Depression and its relation to anxiety, alcoholism, compulsions or drug addictions:

Over 89% of depressed teens or adults, drown their sorrows in alcohol, use other drugs or substances, or take a compulsive behavior to replace their feelings of depression and usually develop, if not already suffer from, anxiety. They feel that it makes it easier for them to cope with the disorders, if they stay busy doing something, or they feel that staying drunk, or high, makes the feelings of depression go away, and helps them hide the way they truly feel inside from friends and family, while in reality, it is only emphasizing the problem, and making it worse. These substances (gaining the name partially from 'substitution'), are only a short while, and when the buzz, or high is over, the person is usually more depressed, because they did what they did.

If this is you, please talk to someone...anyone! Research the substance you are using, and see what it's effects are. Discuss it with a physician, a friend, or even in an online support chatroom. Don't worry about your parents finding out, or anyone else finding out. Just stress the importance to him/her about what you feel, and what you are doing, and that you want it to end, so you can feel better. They will help you, and you will feel better, because you're not keeping it inside, or hiding it any longer. Thus, the relief of the stress that is upon you, causing some of the depression. Besides, once you admit your problem to yourself, or others, and ask for their help, you may discover you are more loved than you think.

More about Anxiety: It is not a rare occurance for a person to suffer from anxiety. Anxiety stems from different causes, or reasons. There are too many unspecific reasons that different people have these attacks. They might feel enclosed in a crowd, with the feeling they can't catch their breath, like a fear for their safety, and their heart is pounding...even severe headaches, or paranoia. It can be caused by stress or worry at school, work, or at home. It could be one of the side effects or causes of depression, and vice-versa. This is a natural body reaction to stress, anger or fear, and it can be very dangerous. By hiding these feelings of anxiety, you are causing, yet more stress, and more anxiety on your system. This disorder can make the person who suffers it, feel like they are having a heart attack....no lie, it is that strong. Hard breathing, tightness in your chest, nausea, pain in your arm, or chest...You feel like the world is out to get you, or that everyone is pushing you one way, while pulling you another.

There is not much you can do alone about anxiety, depression, or alcohol & drug use....even compulsive disorders....these could be serious problems, and can lead to other serious health problems, as well. Please see a physician, so that you can get the proper treatment.

Change: If you do have things in your life that are making you depressed, and you feel are dragging you down, then make a change. I know that it will be hard to change the situation, but you can do it. If you don't like where you are in life, change it...that simple....not easily done, but with the right guidance, and help, you can change it. These disorders are life threatening, and should be treated immediately by a physician.

Ask for help: First, you must realize, you are not alone. There are people who have gone through, and are going through the same things you are going through right now. They have already been there, or are there now, so they will understand where you are coming from. You will also find that there is more love and support out there, for you, than you think there is.

All you have to do is ask for help, and you will find...it is there. If you feel there is no help, then start a support group for others like you at your school, or work. That will introduce you to others like you, and make you feel like you belong somewhere. Plus, the help you offer to others, will help you feel needed and wanted, therefore, helping you with your disorder, as well. One of the important things for a group such as this, is to have lots of information about your disorder...to educate..that is important for everyone there. Know your disorder, and how to cope, or receive treatment for it. The support group can also allow you and others like you to have a support buddy, to go to appointments with, or just to talk to on those bad nights.