DEPRESSED OR NORMAL?

Dear Jellybean,

I need help! I've been feeling deppressed lately and not wanting to be around my friends, I'm a singer so I find myself making up somegs about how much I hate the world and people and all that junk that people like. Also in my songs I talk about how I should just kill myself and get it over with but once I think about it it makes me wonder how it feels....to die I mean.......I want classes in the morning to end and recess to come but then when I';m at recess I want that to end and classes to come back and then I like run out of school so no one gets to talk to me and stuff about my attitude or anything. Am I suffering from depression or is this normal?
-Kat

Dear Kat,

From everything you tell me, you are showing definite signs of suffering from depression. The feelings you describe aren't normal, and the fact that they've been hanging around for a while tell me they may be more than just normal "blues." Frequent thoughts of suicide, not wanting to socialize with others, feel irritated around people, thinking stuff everyone cares about it worthless... these are are warning signs.

I'm glad you wrote to me, and you sound like a smart girl. You're smart enough to understand that depression isn't just a mood or phase, and you need help to overcome these overwhelming feelings. It's tough to reach out when you're feeling hopeless, so you've already done a brave thing by writing to me. Now take the next step and tell a responsible adult that you think you may be suffering from depression. Telling a parent is best, but you could also tell a school counselor, a trusted aunt, or a family friend. Rhere are a good hotlines you can call to talk, for quick relief (it's not a long-term solution), that are also free and confidential.:You'll find them listed on the Myjellybean.com Hotlines page (look under the "Deprsesion" heading for your country).