(November 22, 2002) — Have you ever felt guilty for no apparent reason or felt like you’ve lost your confidence? Have you come to realize that the things you love in life – music, sports or hanging out with friends – just don’t appeal to you anymore, that you want to be left alone most of the time? Does it seem like you’re irritated easily and even the slightest things make you lose you temper? Does life seem meaningless? Do you feel nothing good will ever happen to you? If any or all these symptoms apply, you may be suffering from depression. Depression is a disease that affects mood, thoughts and emotions and without treatment can lead to serious health concerns, such as self-mutilation or possibly even suicide. According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), depression affects as many as one in every eight adolescents. Depression does not mean feeling sad every once and in a while. Depressed people are individuals who experience persistent negative emotions that interfere with their ability to function. Clark’s school psychologist Christine Karg says concern is usually given to teens with a “high degree of severity.” When concerned about a loved one or friend, signs to look for range from frequent sadness, characterized by wearing black clothing, writing morbid poetry, or having a hobby consisting of nihilistic subject matters, to alcohol and drug abuse. Teens may also feel like failures and have pessimistic views about their competence and self-worth. Depressed adolescents are at an increased risk for committing suicide. Statements like, “I can’t take it anymore,” and “No one will even notice I’m gone,” should be taken seriously. According to the Jason Foundation, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15-24. If that’s not enough to take seriously, every one hour and forty-five minutes another young person commits suicide. Teens have always been vulnerable to depression for a variety of reasons. Along with their bodies changing, environments change as well. “Freshmen coming in to high school are confronted with new adjustments. Seniors are dealing with the truth of facing the real-world,” Karg says, “sometimes it’s too much to handle.” Nonetheless, in most cases, depression can be treated with medication, therapy or both. As a local approach, Karg says “turning to a trusted adult” is one of the best ways to cope with the disorder. For more information, or help, school psychologist Christine Karg, is available on Mondays and Tuesdays, all day, in room 1261.