Depression

Statistics show that anywhere from 15–20 percent of Americans are affected by depression at some point during their lifetime. Those affected by depression exhibit a noticeable change in their daily activities, eating patterns and concern for quality of life. Many engage in some form of self-harm, including forms of cutting, suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

Symptoms and Behavior Related to Depression in Adults:

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
• Significant weight gain or weight loss
• Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Insomnia (inability to sleep) or Hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive inappropriate guilt
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Decrease in cognitive functioning
• Recurrent thoughts of death, possibly accompanied by thoughts of committing suicide

Symptoms and Behavior Related to Depression in Children and Adolescents:

• Withdrawal from peers and trusted adults
• Inability to concentrate
• Engage in self-harm such as cutting, burning, pinching skin to bruise and scratching skin
• Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Isolation
• Increased or uncharacteristic tearfulness
• Noticeable changes in eating patterns
• Complaints of frequent illness such as headaches or stomachaches
• Increased irritability, anger or hostility to peers and/or authority figures
• Difficulty in initiating and maintaining positive peer relationships
• Frequently making statements of sad feelings: “I feel sad,” “Nobody likes me,” or “I don’t have any friends”
• Expressions of suicide and self-destructive behavior