It’s normal for young people to feel sad or have mood swings. These years are challenging. You are often between being too old to enjoy the things you used to do – and too young to do the things you want. Everything is changing.

We all feel low or down at times, but if your negative emotions last a long time or feel very severe, you may have depression.

Depression is a mood disorder where you feel very down all the time. Only a doctor or mental health professional can diagnose someone with depression, but if you’re worried then it’s important to get help.

Depression affects people in different ways, and some people might experience some signs but not others.

People who are depressed may:

• Feel sad, tearful, moody or irritable
• Feel ‘empty’ or ‘numb’, this is often worse in the morning
• No longer find joy in the things that once made them happy
• Have angry outbursts
• Feel worthless or guilty, and blame themselves. They may say things like, ‘it’s all my fault’ or ‘I’m a failure’
• Stop seeing friends
• Have negative thoughts that don’t go away, including thoughts about hurting or killing themselves. They may think or say things like, ‘life’s not worth living’ or ‘I can’t do this anymore’.

Depression can also cause physical symptoms like:

• tiredness, low in energy and motivation
• changes in appetite or weight
• vague or unexplained physical problems – for example, stomach aches and headaches
• sleeping problems – for example, difficulty getting or staying asleep

People with depression often have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, solving problems, or remembering information. If you experience any of the above for more than a couple weeks, it is a good idea to get support.

To identify depression you usually need to be seen by a professional who is trained.