How Did You Score?
1. It's normal for teenagers to be moody. Teens don't suffer from "real" depression.
False - Teenagers suffer "real" depression.
2. Depression is a serious medical illness that affects the emotions and the body
True - Depression affects your mood, emotions, the thought processes, and physical well being.
3. Depression is a personal or emotional weakness and indicates weak character.
False - Depression is an illness not a character flaw.
4. Teens who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together.
False - Teens with depression are no more able to "buck up and get over it" than adults. Treatment is essential.
5. Depression is not a weakness, but a serious health disorder.
True - Depression affects 17 million Americans. The toll in lost productivity, broken relationships, and related illnesses can not be estimated.
6. Both young people and adults who are depressed need professional treatment.
True - Depression will not go away on its own. Call you doctor if you or someone you care about displays the symptoms of depression.
7. If you're depressed there's nothing anyone else can do to help you.
False - New therapies and medications are very effective. 80% of people being treated for depression feel better in as little as 2 weeks. Virtually everyone who receives treatment reports some relief from their symptoms.
8. Depression is a normal result of old age.
False - Depression is not, and never has been, a normal part of the aging process. Although older adults are more at risk of developing depression, treatment is very effective in most cases.
9. For many people a combination of "talk" therapy and medication is beneficial.
True - Although some people need only medication, depression leaves a pattern of "stinking thinking" that can be effectively addressed with talk therapies.
10. Talking about depression only makes it worse.
False - For a person with depression, it helps tremendously to be able to discuss how they feel with friends and family. Support from loved ones is crucial in helping a person with depression seek treatment.
11. People who talk about suicide don't commit suicide.
False - Always take talk of suicide seriously. When someone talks of suicide or dying, that means they are thinking about following through. Call your local suicide prevention hotline immediately.
12. Contributors to depression include:
- biological factors (such as hormones and brain chemistry)
- genetic factors (a family history of depression)
- situational factors (a death in the family, getting
divorced)
All of the above. No one is positive how depression is triggered but we do know that biological, genetic, and situational factors all play a role.
13. Many people who commit suicide have given warning signs to family and friends.
True - People who are successful with a suicide attempt often display warning signs. It's important to know what these are and what steps you can take if someone you care about is thinking of suicide.
14. Telling someone else that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If someone wants help, he or she will get it.
False - A person with depression may not have the energy or will to seek treatment. You can help them get the help they need.
15. Depression, which saps energy and self-esteem, interferes with a person's ability or wish to get help.
True - Depression carries feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that makes it difficult for a person to believe help is possible.
16. More than 80% of people suffering from depression respond well to treatment.
True - Sometimes it may takes time to find the right medication or therapy to help, virtually every one receives some relief from the symptoms of depression.
17. Clinical depression will go away on its own.
False - Clinical depression is a medical illness that deserves to be taken as seriously other illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease. Medical treatment is needed to alleviate the physical and emotional symptoms that accompany depression.
18. Persistent feelings of sadness, helplessness and worthlessness cannot be treated.
False - Medication and therapy a remarkably successfulness in erasing the pervasive mood disorder that is a part of depression.
19. With all the aches and pains and ailments older people have, it's normal for them to feel depressed.
False - Depression is not a normal part of the aging process even though over 50 percent of adults think it is. Depression in older adults often goes untreated because symptoms are not reported.
20. More women than men suffer from clinical depression.
True. Particularly among older women. Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with depression. Women are particularly susceptible during their reproductive years. Interestingly though, during childhood and teen years, the number of boys and girls diagnosed with depression are roughly equal.
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