Everyone feels bad sometimes

Feeling very miserable sometimes is a part of life for most people. Usually there's a reason to feel unhappy, but sometimes it seems to come from nowhere.

If you're unhappy and not sure why, what's going on?

It could be:

• Lack of sleep, changes to sleeping patterns
• Irregular eating and crash dieting
• Hormonal changes, particularly before your period (PMT)
• Seasonal changes, dark weather in winter (SAD)
• Illness, injury, long-term stress (physical or mental)
• Alcohol, drugs, addictions
• Chemical changes in the brain

All of these things can make unhappiness worse, and increase your chances of suffering depression.

Depression

Depression is a common mental health problem among young people. As many as 10% of young people suffer from depression. Symptoms of depression include:

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Poor concentration and memory
• Sadness
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Feeling irritable, restless, agitated
• Feeling hopeless and pessimistic
• Lack of motivation
• No desire to see others
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

It's a well understood problem, and lots of treatments are available. Here are some:

• Counselling
• Medication
• Lifestyle changes

Depression very seldom has one cause, so usually several treatments are suggested.

While it can seem very difficult to ask for help, depression can be treated and most people who get help recover fairly quickly. Talk to your GP, counsellor, Youth Worker or a helpline, like the Samaritans.

Key Link: The Samaritans

Suicide

When someone gets very unhappy or depressed, they may become suicidal (want to kill themselves). This can happen slowly or very quickly.

If you are feeling suicidal, you should do three things as soon as possible:

• Stop any dangerous activities (including drinking, taking drugs or driving a car)
• Talk to someone (a helpline if you can't bear to talk to a friend)
• Go to your GP (Doctor) and explain how you are feeling

Be careful who you talk to, as some people may make you feel worse. This is one of the reasons it can be helpful to call a helpline, as the people who man helplines are trained to listen.

CRUCIAL: if you are feeling Suicidal now

Call Samaritans on 0845 7 90 90 90 OR 01865 722122 OR Childline on 0800 1111.

If a friend needs help

If someone you know is depressed or suicidal, you can help:

• Do take them seriously.
• Do listen, but not all the time.
• Do encourage them to ask for help.
  
• Don't try to convince them (or yourself) that everything is alright.
• Don't try and solve their problems or give them advice.
• Don't tell them to get over it or pull themselves together.

Helping a depressed or suicidal friend can be very upsetting and stressful, so you should consider getting help yourself. Talk to your GP, counsellor, Youth Worker or a helpline, like the Samaritans.

Key Link: The Samaritans