Question about depression?

[IWillSurvive]

a chemical imbalance in the brain? or could it sometimes be activated randomly through the teen years? i am 15, and i thinkk i am depressed, but there hasn't been any event in my life that could possibly lead to depression. i have always been a bit shy, so is it just my personaliy??

[djs]

I did try the medications for depression (im a teen and was about ur age when I tried them) but they don't solve the realy problem. Doctors act like they're a miracle drug but really the only thing that can change our way of thinking and mental health is ourselves! For me, the best treatment was quitting the depression meds (they cause so many side effects I don't know how anyone can even trust taking them) and I just started leading a healthier lifestyle. I also stopped thinking negatively, bcause once you change the way you view things it makes a huge difference. I'll probably get all these thumbs down for saying this. But really, treating depression is very simple and it starts with ourselves. Only we ourselves know what is best for us.

[MadforMAC]

The word "depression" is thrown about too much without people really understanding what it means.There are different types of depression; situational (for example when someone dies), hormonal (due to things happening in the body with brain chemistry, poor diet, teen years, etc.) and then there is clinical depression where a person really is incapacitated and requires extensive professional help. That's it in a nutshell, it goes into more depth.Yes, teens are prone to depression because their hormones are all over the place. How to handle that? Make sure you have a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep (teens require 8-12 hours a night), limit stress, have good support (family and friends) and don't do drugs or alcohol. Teens don't understand some drugs and all alcohol are depressants and further change brain chemistry and create depression.

[qotsael]

Most teens go through this stage, i did too. Yes, I think it can depend on your personality and your perspective on life (which changes as you get older anyway...) so dont worry too much about that.Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain yes, but that is only with more severe cases. Most of the time, it tends to be hormones going mad combined with the stress of school and growing up. As I say, i understand as i've been there myself :(You will be fine though, dont worry. If you can, talk to someone reliable and understanding about how you feel, it helps to have someone else's perspective sometimes, and can bring you down to earth and make you realise "its not that bad" :) Also, I found that writing and keeping a kind of... mood diary.. helped. I found it recently and found it a little strange and a bit funny as i was so dramatic while i felt like that :PHope this helpedEl xxx

[rastafarimama]

depression can be caused my lots of things. usually it is a chemical imbalance in the brain but what is it that causes the imbalance is the question.try this:http://www.cymbalta.com/depression/understand/causes.jsp?reqNavId=1.3&ccd=mdddtc88&WT.srch=1here you can access your depression symptoms: