Understanding Depression: Facts & Quiz
Understanding depression can be very difficult. We’ve compiled a list of some symptoms and facts about depression to help you understand a bit more. Also, do not forget to test your knowledge with a quiz at the end. If you send us a photo showing you got a perfect score on the quiz, you can win prizes and gift cards!
Symptoms of Depression:
- Loss of Interest in activities, like hobbies
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or suicide
- Increase use of drugs and/or alcohol
- Trouble concentrating, memory, and making decisions
- Isolate from parents & friends
- Not sleeping or having trouble sleeping
- Feelings of anger and irritability
- Eating more or less
- Depression can also potentially be genetic
Quick facts about depression:
- Often depression happens when things are going wrong in your life if it is situational, but sometimes depression can happen even when life is going well. Depression can also be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain..
- Having depression doesn’t mean something is wrong with you or you aren’t strong – being able to ask for help is a sign of strength! It’s a real medical condition, like diabetes, cancer, or asthma.
- Women are diagnosed with depression at higher rates than men. However, male depression often goes undiagnosed, due to men not going to the doctor as often and therefore aren’t asked about it as often. When they are asked, they may downplay the symptoms
- Depression is not a fixed state. Someone who is depressed can also have times when they appear happy.
- Sometimes medication can help people who are depressed feel better. Antidepressants along with counseling can be very helpful for certain kinds of depression. Sometimes just having someone to talk to on a regular basis can alleviate depression. It would be important to find out what kind you have so you know the best way to treat it and feel better.
- If you’re suffering from depression, it might not just go away. For some people, if it isn’t treated, their depression can last months, or even years.
Think you’ve learned a lot about depression?
Take this quiz to test your knowledge!
Remember, send us a photo of your perfect score to win a prize or giftcard!
If you are feeling depressed, let your BridgeUP Fellow or BeWell Health Coach know, contact a trusted adult, your healthcare provider, or call suicide prevention hotline: 630-482-9696, parent stress hotline – help for parents; 800-632-8188; crisis help line 800-233-4357, crisis chat line Text HOME 741741.