1. Sadness & Depression

2. What is Depression? Depression is defined as a mood disturbance, a disorder of feelings and emotions that can range from mild to severe in intensity

3. Depression is believed to be a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Some scientists believe that an imbalance happens first, causing the depression. Others believe that emotional stress may bring on the chemical changes that result in the characteristics of depression.

4. Signs & Symptoms

5. Frequent sadness Tearfulness Decreased interest in activities Hopelessness Persistent boredom Inability to enjoy previously favorite activities Social isolation Low energy Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure Low self esteem Increased irritability, anger, or hostility Difficulty with relationships

6. Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school Poor concentration Talk of or efforts to run away from home A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior

7. About Depression

8. Depression isn't just bad moods and occasional melancholy. It's not just feeling down or sad, either. These feelings are normal in kids, especially during the teen years. Even when major disappointments and setbacks make people feel sad and angry, the negative feelings usually lessen with time. But when a depressive state, or mood, lingers for a long time — weeks, months, or even longer. This limits a person's ability to function normally, it can be diagnosed as depression.

9. Types of depression include: major depression, dysthymia, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder or manic depression. All of these can affect kids, teenagers and adults. Major depression is a serious condition characterized by a persistent sad mood, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and the inability to feel pleasure or happiness. Major depression typically interferes with day-to-day functioning like eating and sleeping. A child with major depression feels depressed almost every day. In kids, depression can appear as "bad moods" or irritability that persists for a long time, even if a child doesn't acknowledge being sad.

10. Dysthymia may be diagnosed if sadness or irritability is not as severe but continues for a year or longer. Kids with dysthymia often feel "down in the dumps." They can have low self-esteem, feel hopeless, and even have problems sleeping and eating. Bipolar disorder, another type of mood disturbance, is characterized by episodes of low-energy depression (sadness and hopelessness) and high-energy mania (irritability and explosive temper). Bipolar disorder may affect as many as 1% to 2% of kids. More than 2 million adults have bipolar disorder, which often develops in the late teen years and early adulthood.

11. Ellie’s Depression Video