By Carissa Smith

How many depressed people go unnoticed? There are so many people who don’t speak up and ask for help for their depression.

There are several reasons people don’t say they’re depressed. They might think it would just be inconveniencing people. They might not know how to explain how they feel. They could be afraid of what would happen if they tell someone how badly they feel. They might think that people don’t care about them or that they can’t get better.If no one notices these people are depressed, they don’t get the help they need.

People don’t really spend much time thinking about people they know being depressed. They don’t notice signs that might be there. It’s good to know the warning signs of depression. It makes it easier to identify and help someone who is depressed.

According to www.teenhelp.com some warning signs to look for are apathy or lack of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure; changes in appearance, especially due to loss of interest in hygiene or personal grooming; inability to concentrate or make decisions; a desire to be alone characterized by trouble with relationships and turning away from friends; missing school or poor school performance; behavioral problems at school; being overly sensitive about rejection or failures; noticeable changes in appetite or weight; changes in sleep patterns, especially insomnia or extreme fatigue. These are some but not all of the signs of depression.

Anyone who is depressed or knows someone who is depressed should seek help. There are several resources out there including National Hopeline Network at 800-SUICIDE (784-2433) 800-442-HOPE (4673) or www.hopeline.com and Depression and Bipolar Support at 800-273-TALK (8255) or www.dbsalliance.org. Another option is to talk to a teacher or counselor.