Depression? What does it feel like? It sucks. It feels like--
It just feels like you don't wanna be.
When I'm depressed, I feel like I don't want to be.
>> Laura: I was crying. But nothing was wrong.
>> Erin: It was like all my worst nightmares
coming together, I don't know. I'd go to bed at night
and I would pray that I wouldn't wake up in the morning.
>> Lauren: I'd call it, pretty much breakdowns
where something will trigger it and I don't know--
I don't hardly ever know what it is.
>> Megan: It's like Linus on the "Charlie Brown"
cartoon strip. And he constantly has
like this cloud over his head. >> Robert: I haven't told
any of my friends. You know, it's just something,
I just don't feel right about doing.
>> Kelly: I hide it. You have no idea.
I'm an actress. >> Lauren: You have to
look perfect, just because you don't want anybody to know.
>> Megan: I didn't understand that it was like a disease,
or you know, something that kept going.
And I didn't understand that you could take medicine for it.
I mean, still, it's so crazy to me to think about
all the chemicals in your head that make up who you are
and how you react to certain things.
>> Laura: They saw me as lazy. They didn't really,
I don't think, see me as depressed.
They saw me as lazy, basically, 'cause I never handed in
my homework in on time. >> Jenny: I isolate myself.
I go to school, but I don't talk to anybody.
>> Mandy: I feel left out most of the time.
I feel like nobody wants to talk to me and it hurts.
>> Erin: Why am I feeling like this?
I shouldn't be feeling like this.
Normal people don't feel like this.
Normal people don't cry about things like this.
Normal people don't want to kill themselves like this.
>> I was on the verge of suicide.
It got that bad once. >> I used to cut on my arms.
But now, I just, I try not to think about it.
>> Shawn: Yeah, I've thought about it.
Things that stopped me, I guess, I kind of thought about
the good things that I could do. >> You're still gonna have
like one foot in it, because depression doesn't just go away.
You're always gonna be lingering in the shadow.
>> Megan: Coming here and doing this tape is very hard,
because it gives the whole world a chance to see it.
And that's a very scary feeling. Like, it--
It makes you, like, tighten up. But--
I thought about it as something that I was going to set myself
to do ever since the first show. Because--
It's-- It's for other people .
that are struggling that don't have a chance .
to sit in a room like this and see that other people .
have problems. And I think .
that's very important. I also think it's very important .
that you have somebody to talk to. .
>> We had students who were suffering from depression .
volunteer to be part of this program. .
And we met over a period of eight sessions in our clinic. .
During that period of time each student had the opportunity .
to go around, round robin, and express different aspects .
of depression and how it affected them individually. .
The elements of the group, actually the videotaping .
of the program was therapeutic for the students .
as they learned from each other different coping skills, .
different techniques for dealing with their own depression .
and how it affects them, their school life .
and their families. >> Cheryl Rotherham: The group .
that we had consisted of eight teens. .
Their ages ranged from 13 to 17. They were all at different .
stages in their depression. Some of them had co-existing .
conditions other than their depression. .
Many of them have experienced losses. .
They were all on medication for at least one mood disorder. .
The way they opened up, it was interesting to watch .
as the weeks unfolded, the trust built up .
more and more. The validation that they felt .
was a validation that nobody but their own peers .
could have given them. I heard many of those teens .
remark that hearing someone who had gone through .
and felt the pain that they did, and they were in a better place, .
or their depression was better managed, .
that gave the other teens a lot of hope that there is .
an end to this pain and suffering. .
>> There are certain teens who, when you can look at their face .
and perhaps guess that they might be depressed. .
There are other people who hide it very well. .
And most students want to "keep it together" .
most of the school day and are not about to let .
other peers, let them know what's going on inside. .
So, I think there are certainly some students .
who are in a very deep state of depression .
that it's rather obvious. Other students, probably .
the majority of students who suffer from depression, .
you wouldn't know it by looking at them. .
>> All teenagers experience a depressed mood. .
A depressed mood is going to be over a situation. .
It's not going to linger. Depression itself lingers, .
it doesn't go away. There are different types .
of depression. For major depression, .
which is one that we see often, you have to have a number .
of symptoms that last two weeks. >> Three and a half million .
teenagers, or probably about two percent .
of the teenage population suffers from biological .
depression. The terms I usually use .
are biological versus psychological depression. .
Because situational implies you know something's happening .
in the environment. Whereas psychological implies .
not necessarily, it's just a person feels bad .
for whatever reason. And in biological, you know, .
clinical, it's fairly general. And biological, I'll use .
that term, because it has to do with changes in brain chemistry .
and it's biological. >> Stress doesn't cause .
biological depression. It can worsen biological .
depression, if you have the genetic makeup .
of the family history. Situational depression, .
you don't need medication for, but situational depression
can turn into clinical depression. .
>> Psychological depression comes from the stresses that .
teens and students experience, catastrophic events in their .
life like a death of a family member .
or a parent who has left home. >> Mandy: And my aunt-- .
My aunt died of cancer, too. (crying) .
>> (whispers): It's okay. >> Laura: I know how you feel. .
My dad, he didn't die of cancer. He died four years ago .
from a car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel .
and he was thrown about 500 feet and he broke his neck. .
Luckily, there was no pain, or nothing. .
He died instantly. And to this day, I can still .
remember exactly where I was in my house, what I was doing. .
>> Lauren: Me, too. I lost my mom when I was five .
in a car accident. And it was the street .
that was really well known for car accidents. .
And I couldn't remember this, but my dad told me afterwards .
that like ten minutes before the accident I asked her, .
you know, just out of the blue, "Mommy, if you were on the moon, .
could we see Jesus?" And you know, she kinda .
explained it to me. And then she said she loved me .
and I said I loved her back and I fell asleep. .
And that was the last I ever saw her. .
I fell asleep. >> You look back when you first .
lost somebody, or whatever the situation was. .
You find that you were depressed awful, 'cause you .
didn't think, like, anything that bad could happen to you. .
Just like September 11, they, ordinary day working, .
and a couple hours after they went into work... .
yeah. >> Sadness over something, .
or because things aren't going in your life as well .
as you'd like, has nothing to do with brain biology. .
And whereas, brain biology has everything to do .
with causing major depression. >> We think of medical illness .
as having physical pain or suffering. .
Depression, actually, does have physical pain. .
There's a lot of body aches, the stiffness that is attributed .
to depression. But the pain and suffering .
has more to do with the day after day, people describe .
being in this dark hole with no hope of getting out, .
a hopelessness, annihilism and powerless to change it. .
They can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. .
>> You sometimes, with very severe depression, .
when someone appears very depressed and they have .
kind of a drawn, masked facial expression all the time, .
every day, you can have a hint that they're suffering .
from biological depression. But usually, you can't tell .
at all. And you know, that's-- .
That's why we have a situation in America .
where the eighth leading cause of death is suicide. .
>> Rothenham: Many times, the teens that it's difficult .
to recognize depression are the gregarious, outgoing, .
involved teenagers. It's hard to tell, because .
they consciously hide it. And usually, those are the teens .
whose depression gets worse before they seek any type .
of intervention. And then, because it gets worse, .
it takes longer for them to learn how to manage it, .
usually. >> The signs that a teen .
would want to look for, I think one of the most .
important ones is irritability, that type of crabbiness .
that doesn't seem to subside for a period of time. .
Difficulties in sleeping, either falling asleep, .
staying asleep, or waking way too early in the morning. .
The lack of enjoyment in things they would normally enjoy. .
>> Low energy is certainly a sign of depression, .
irritability, agitation, quick to anger. .
Their perception of reality isn't always accurate. .
The way they see themselves, they don't see themselves .
as irritable or agitated, many times. .
But their friends, their parents, their teachers .
see a decline in functioning in different areas. .
>> We look at change in appetite, either eating too much .
or too little. We look for suicidal ideation, .
which of course would indicate that that level of depression .
is getting quite severe. That depression .
may have sadness, it may not have sadness. .
That is not a requirement for depression, .
as so many people think. We like to look for feelings .
of hopelessness, feelings that "I'm inadequate," .
"I'm not measuring up to my peers." .
Students who take criticism very literally, who normally .
would let certain things just kind of roll off their back .
are now finding they fall very hard on their ears. .
>> So, with major depression, the industry standard .
is two weeks. And so, you have to manifest .
a certain number of the signs, the body signs we talked about, .
you have to manifest those for more than two weeks. .
I would add that if we look at the teenage age range, .
we would also want to look at alcohol and drug abuse issues .
going along with depression. >> Kelly: I'd go out and drink .
with my friends, and we'd go to parties. .
And you know, "Oh, there's guys here!" .
And we'd go out and have fun. My grades went to hell. .
I mean, we, we'd skip school. I mean, believe me, it was fun. .
But, I mean, then the consequences. .
Because of that, your grades are terrible. .
Whether, I mean, just everything is bad. .
>> Shawn: I did do drugs to kind of relieve depression. .
I guess it made me feel happy and just kinda made me .
forget about stuff. >> Jenny: That and I'm tired. .
I haven't gotten much sleep lately, so. .
>> Lauren: I haven't been able to sleep well. .
>> I really can't get to sleep. I'll just sit there, .
or I'll wake up during the night and I can't sleep after that. .
>> Mandy: I was depressed because I didn't get enough .
sleep. My friend noticed .
that I was depressed today. And that really surprised me .
that she noticed that. Because she's like, .
"Mandy, you look depressed." And I'm like... .
And then I walked away for a few minutes. .
Then I started to yell at her 'cause I was so depressed. .
>> Erin: It's the anxiety part of it. .
You just-- You just have this urge .
to just lay there. Everything's telling you .
to just do nothing because that's what's-- .
that's what's easy. >> I just want to be in my own .
little place by myself. I don't want to talk, .
don't want to do anything, just sit. .
>> I... Anger, frustration, .
the littlest things can make you go berserk. .
It piles up, and you can't let it do that. .
It's like a volcano. And (imitates explosion). .
>> There are other illnesses that affect teens .
that can mimic depression. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, .
also known as OCD, anxiety, things such as mononucleosis, .
which leaves a person feeling very tired, exhausted, .
without energy. So, there's some real importance .
to have a professional to go to, to talk about what's going on .
to ferret out what might be the real cause .
for those symptoms. >> Well, you can see .
a depression, but there's so many other types .
of depression. And you don't know if the OCD, .
which is the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder .
is part of the depression. Is it a mood disorder .
that's separate? Is it OCD symptomology .
that shows up when someone's hypo-manic or manic, .
and they're actually bipolar? So, it takes a while .
to understand, you know, okay, what is the primary .
diagnosis. Is this a secondary diagnosis, .
or is it a part of the primary diagnosis? .
An example would be teenage girls who lose a lot of .
weight if their anorexic. But their anorexia .
may be secondary to a major depression. .
>> Well, I went to see a therapist. .
And they thought that I might have something called OCD. .
And that's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. .
And once you think about it, it makes sense. .
The OCD, you keep doing things over and over, like just silly .
things, like tapping your locker ten times. .
My big number was ten. >> I have ADHD and depression. .
And the medicine-- I take medicine for it, .
because I need to. It makes it a lot easier. .
But if you get medicine-- I started out just having .
depression, and we didn't know I had ADHD until later .
So, I started on one medicine, and then I had to get .
the medicine for the ADHD, too. >> Well, it's really hard, .
because it's like kinda mixed. For me, it's almost mixed .
with the bipolar, so. To me, it's like you're almost .
always-- At my worst, I was always .
at like a constant low. Like, it took, like nobody .
could ever make me laugh, nothing really made me happy. .
It took a lot to make me laugh. It took a lot to make me smile .
about something. >> Bi-polar? .
It's like a roller coaster. Like I said before, you can be .
on top of the world one day and in hell the next day. .
My dad had it. And it's genetic, .
so lucky me, I got it. >> I don't like the word .
"normal," because, like, everyone says, .
"Oh, I'm not normal." But no one's "normal." .
>> What is normal? >> What is it. .
Yeah, show me normal! >> If I ever met a family .
with like, a dad and mom and like, two kids .
who like, prayed every dinner, and you know, tucked them in .
to bed and give them a kiss, and they all did their homework, .
I'd be like, you guys are weird! >> The problem with .
major depression is it's like high blood pressure. .
Even when your blood pressure goes down from the medicine, .
it doesn't mean the high blood pressure problem .
went away. If you stop the high blood .
pressure medicine, then the blood pressure .
would come back up. >> It's even more complicated .
that they're on medication and they drink .
or they use drugs. The efficacy of the medication, .
the medication isn't going to work as well. .
>> Usually with depression, the teenagers are .
fairly compliant, you know, (chuckles) .
as much as it is possible with taking medication, .
because they're the ones who have been .
in the horrendous pain. I can not-- .
I can't put too lightly how horrendous the pain .
of biological depression is. >> It's an illness. .
And you treat it like an illness. .
It's not a personal weakness. It's not a state of mind. .
It's not because I'm living my life incorrectly. .
It's an illness. >> The research of the last .
20 years, having to do with pet scans, and spec scans .
and imaging of metabolic processes .
has shown unequivocally that biological depression .
is biologically based. And interestingly enough, .
there was a recent study that demonstrated .
a normalization of a person's brain image .
when they were treated with an antidepressant .
for their major depression. >> Disordered thinking refers .
to their perception of reality, how they view themselves, .
isn't necessarily accurate, nor is it how other people .
view them. They may not see themselves .
as depressed. In fact, they might have .
some pretty heavy-duty denial. But yet, their grades .
are slipping. And they can tell themselves, .
"Oh, I'll get em up. I just have to study harder." .
They can't concentrate. They can't retain, .
their memory is impaired. There's an element of paranoia. .
>> When I was depressed, I would not admit at all. .
"There's no way, no way." I mean, I waited until .
the very last straw before I decided I would take .
that medication. I'm like, "There's no way .
I'm taking that unless I absolutely need to." .
A lot of people are embarrassed of it. .
And it's not like, they're like, "Oh, I'm better than you. .
I'm not depressed." You know, they're thinking, .
"This is embarrassing. I'm not gonna admit .
that I'm depressed." So, I don't think it's like .
they're trying to be someone else. .
I think they're trying to, just trying to cover it up. .
>> Rothenham: Well, your thinking is off .
when you're depressed. And that's disordered thinking. .
>> There's lot of disordered thinking. .
>> Say, you're taking pills for depression, and you are .
totally depressed you're not doing anything, .
your depression isn't gonna get better, .
it's gonna get worse. You have to be trying. .
>> Like I said before, it does help a lot. .
You may refuse like, "No, I'm not taking this. .
No, no, no, no!" >> Rothenham: Or, you go .
off of it when you feel better, because you think .
you don't need it. >> Laura: Think you .
don't need it? Just try it, try it. .
>> Megan: One thing about medicines that I've noticed .
is like, they do help. Like, I don't know if anybody .
has any... (a few girls talking at once) .
Like your parents, they say, "Oh, you didn't take .
you medicine today." It's like, "No, Mom .
that's not it!" You know, it's not an excuse. .
It's just like... >> It's not the medicine! .
>> It's like a help thing. >> Normal teenager stuff. .
>> Yes! >> We do get angry .
once and a while, even though we have depression, or bipolar, .
or whatever. >> I have to take mine .
regularly. My mom keeps an eye on me. .
I know it's important that I do take my medication, 'cause .
my mom said that if I don't, I probably would go back .
into my depression state. I have a lot going for me .
right now, and I want to keep that. .
I don't want to stop going to school. .
I want to keep going, so I can do something .
with my life. >> What do you want to be? .
>> A caseworker. And then I want to go on .
to be a social worker. >> If I don't have my meds, .
it's like I don't want to do anything. .
It's just like when I wake up. But once I take my meds, .
it increases, so I do have more energy to do things. .
>> Rothenham: You don't get as annoyed with your sister. .
>> Yeah. Like I'm able to accept .
more things, as you say. I'm more tolerant to others. .
>> School can be a particularly stressful place for students .
who are experiencing depression. They tend to view .
some of their friends' habits, or to see the most negative .
aspects of them instead of the positive aspects. .
They tend to take criticism to heart. .
They tend to isolate themselves, which pulls themselves away .
from their friendship groups, their peer groups. .
They, sometimes, because of their crabbiness .
their student friends want to stay away from them, .
because they don't understand what's going on. .
So, there's a lot of stress that occurs at school, .
and just plain meanness by some other students. .
>> Rothenham: Stress-- There aren't any two things .
that affect depression more than stress and fatigue. .
You want to go down on a dime, fatigue and stress .
are going to be the two things that are going to make .
you depressed and take a nose dive. .
Stress at school is usually a big one, because they .
have to be there a certain number of hours. .
They're tired. They can't concentrate. .
They may even be flunking a course, and the school's .
going to make them stay there, you know, three or four months .
every day, same hour. So, you know, that's a problem. .
Then there's peer relationships. All of a sudden, .
if they're depressed, they're going to choose to spend time .
with other depressed kids. So, their group of friends .
change. And girls-- .
I mean, once they get to high school, girls can be .
pretty cruel to other girls. So, the distortion .
with a depressed teenage girl, there's an element of paranoia. .
And yes, they may be doing some cruel things, .
but because they're depressed, they can't handle it .
as well as they could if they weren't depressed. .
So, again, it's another example of their reality .
not being accurate. >> Erin: I would walk into .
school, walked in the halls, and I would dread what was .
going to be said to me, even though there was nothing .
being said to me. There was nothing .
really happening. There was nothing .
really all that bad going on. I just, it was, a lot of it .
was like, in my head. A lot of it was just me .
over exaggerating stuff, and me, like, putting things together .
that weren't really there. >> Laura: During the summer, .
I'm stress free. The school year starts, .
then it's major stress. >> Megan: I've been having .
trouble this year, too. But sometimes you just have to .
accept the way that people are and say, "Well, I can't .
do anything about it." So, it's not the biggest thing .
in the world if you have a little quiet time .
and just concentrate on your studies. .
You talk to people occasionally, but I don't talk to many people .
at school. And it's probably hard .
for you guys to believe. I mean, I'm always talking here, .
but... >> Jenny: I'd say it's-- .
A lot of my depression is from at home, .
'cause my parents are divorced. I think my mom thought I had it, .
but I didn't-- I don't think she really knew .
what to do about it, 'cause she had depression herself. .
And it was difficult for her. She accepted it, and told me .
that I needed to get help. In sixth to eighth grade, .
I wouldn't go to school. I always made an excuse .
to stay home, like my stomach hurt, .
or I'd go to school and call home. .
And my mom always let me go home. .
>> Kelly: Everyone gets pushed by someone else in their life .
every day. And I don't have that at all. .
>> Rothenham: Kelly, your depression got so bad .
you actually couldn't attend school. .
>> That's 'cause no one, like, cared. .
I had no one. That's when I had .
absolutely no one. Like, I didn't even have .
a decent place to live. I mean, it's like, you just .
might as well call me homeless and on the street, .
because I had nothing. >> Mandy: Some of my depression .
comes from, because I don't have a lot of friends .
because everybody hates me and it's... .
>> Not everybody hates you. I don't hate you. .
>> It feels like nobody cares about me sometimes. .
>> I just... want to say .
to everyone that's out there that is mean to other kids, .
it's not right 'cause everyone's .
their own person. And if you look at some girl .
and say, "Oh, isn't that funny." It hurts, even if they act .
like it doesn't hurt. I mean, my mom will always say, .
"Well, don't act like it's hurting you." .
But it still does. I mean, I remember last year .
when I just had a terrible time. And I ended up sitting in the .
very front seat of the bus for a half an hour, crying. .
And it's a terrible feeling. >> I totally agree with Megan. .
Like, all the stuff that happened to her, .
it totally happened to me, too. >> Kelly: And you're right. .
It is painful, like-- >> It still hurts! .
>> I feel like I'm rejected, like by everyone. .
Well, I mean, like, I don't show it-- .
by everyone. >> I've gotten almost beat up .
on my bus after school. I've had a lot of bad stuff .
happen to me at school. I don't say anything .
back to them. I just sit there, and .
I don't say anything to anybody. >> Lauren: Yeah, sure, .
you can have physical scars that you'll have all your life, .
but emotional scars are what really hurt more. .
You know, it might hurt... >> I mean, you guys, .
the world is so hard, like, to get accepted .
especially like when you don't have anyone out there. .
I think this is the first time I ever cried. .
And I don't cry. >> Rothenham: We love you Kelly! .
>> Sometimes it'll just hit, and it'll hit hard. .
And I don't-- And a lot of times, .
I won't know why. I mean, I can figure it out .
afterwards, sometimes. But when it hits, .
I don't know why. And you know, I'll just break .
down and cry. And at school, you would never .
think I'm the kind of person to cry. .
>> I mean, it's good to-- Like we were talking about .
before about never crying. It's a good thing to cry. .
It helps you. >> And I hate .
feeling sorry for myself. A lot of times, .
I don't tell people, like, my life story, .
because I don't want them to feel sorry for me. .
I want them to know who I am, not what I've been through. .
I want them to knowme. >> My friends have no idea. .
They have no idea. No matter how you try to tell .
them-- I mean, like, .
I don't even try to tell them, because I don't want-- .
I don't expect them to understand. .
They will never know. >> And I haven't told .
many people at all about any of my many "problems." .
>> Because I was so quiet, and I was so reserved, and I was .
so, kind of like skittish around everybody else, .
like, a lot of people thought of me as like, weird. .
And I remember in middle school and early elementary school, .
being made fun of. >> You're gonna want .
to feel sorry for yourself, you're gonna want to hide. .
But you find out so many things by coming here. .
I mean, I don't know about you guys, but when we laugh, .
and stuff, this is kinda fun. >> It is. .
>> I mean, it's not that bad. It really isn't. .
>> If we start with the premise that a teenager, you know, .
is suffering from depression of any kind, you know, .
psychological or biological, that they're just suffering, .
that should always be the entr\e-- .
is that they should speak to somebody. .
>> Teens get a awful lot out of therapy. .
There's the saying that they all use, they're old souls. .
Wisdom-- "Pain breeds wisdom." .
They're more motivated to go to therapy .
when they've struggled and had an awful lot of pain. .
They learn coping skills that aren't just going .
to help them through that difficult timethen. .
They are learning coping skills that they can take .
throughout their life. >> Counseling requires .
hard work. Most people don't know that, .
actually. Counseling that's worthwhile .
is like going to the gym and working out, .
and your therapist is your personal trainer. .
But you have to do all the work. >> Going to a therapist .
can help validate what they've been experiencing. .
A therapist forms a treatment plan with a student. .
And they set goals for what they want to achieve and how to deal .
with this depression and make the symptoms lift. .
Specific coping skills, a new way of looking at things, .
getting rid of something we call "disordered thinking," .
where we tend to make mountains out of mole hills, out of things .
that have just occurred, how to deal with conflict .
more effectively, how to interact .
in a perhaps more positive way with our family .
who's trying to help us and doesn't understand what .
this depression is all about. >> As a child and adolescent .
psychiatrist, I would like to comment on the therapy issue .
in major depression. The vast majority .
of teenagers and adults with major depression, biological .
brain chemistry-based depression who are on medication, .
benefit from ongoing therapy along with that. .
And the therapy is for the purpose of support, .
addressing the many issues around the depression .
that keep it from being managed optimally, .
like stress management issues and other depression .
reduction approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. .
Therefore, I recommend therapy for all of my patients .
who are on medication. >> I was basically like .
one big ball, and like nothing could reach me, .
nothing could impact me. It was all, everything .
that I did was just-- was just inside me. .
I mean, I was doing everything I could to protect myself. .
And in reality, I was doing-- That was total opposite .
of what I needed to be doing. I needed to reach out .
to my parents. I needed to reach out to my .
friends to try to figure out what was wrong with me .
to get help. And it wasn't-- .
It wasn't working that way. I was doing myself more harm .
than good. >> It's nice to have .
someone to talk to. It's really nice to have .
someone to talk to, 'cause like, it's good .
to let your emotions flow. >> I know what got me .
back in counseling was the school social worker .
had asked me to name five support systems .
to hold something up. Like friends, your counselor, .
school-- But school is not in session .
all year, and you're not in school your whole life-- .
Friends that you know you're gonna keep, .
family, if you can talk to them about everything, .
resources in the community, like the Crisis Center, .
and stuff like that. Because, if you have five, .
it's easier to hold up. And I couldn't name five .
support systems that I had, so I decided that I should .
go back into counseling so that I don't get .
too depressed again. >> I like going to a therapist .
because it like, that's how I let all my emotions out. .
And it's fun to have, like, one-on-one with a counselor, .
because you get to say what you want, other than saying .
it in front of your parents. >> Everyone needs to be able .
to share some of that stuff because-- .
You gotta, you can't always be caught up in one thing.
You gotta have time to dream. >> Family therapy
has several benefits. First of all, depression affects
everybody who lives in that household, and sometimes even
extended family members. >> If, you know, the parent
is depressed, which likely you are going to find a parent,
if not two parents that are depressed,
it's gonna be difficult to cut that teenager slack,
because you're really at a level of functioning that's quite low.
So, you aren't at your best to cut the slack
to the teenager, because this teenager who's depressed
is oppositional and acting out all over the place.
>> Education about depression in a family is just critical,
because most people don't understand what it is,
what the effects are, and in particular,
for their own family member who has it.
So, sometimes teenagers don't like being in family therapy.
They're afraid that if they say something, it's going
to cause a conflict, or that they might be punished
in some manner afterwards. But when the proper ground rules
are set up for family therapy, it usually is an effective thing
and doesn't always leave everybody happy when they leave,
but begins a dialogue for making some changes.
>> They need to speak with their parents.
Sometimes, that's not possible, but no matter what they do,
they need to speak to somebody. And there's a big question
there, which is, "Why?" Why should they do that,
you know. "What's the point, anyway?
It's not going to help." Well, the point, anyway,
is that it can help a great deal because the treatments
we have these days work. >> You know, I don't think
I've ever worked with a parent, particularly mothers, who don't
need to be reassured that somehow, they've done something
and they're unaware of it. Somehow they've contributed
to this teenager's depression. And they're so relieved
when they find out, "You know, what?
It's genetic." You don't have the power
to cause it. You don't really even have
the power to make it better. >> It helped to get everything
out in the open, so that hopefully, your family life
can be better. I mean, it's at least a step
towards making it better. >> I didn't feel like
I should have to say anything in front of them.
You know, it's kind of embarrassing.
I mean, I wish I could tell them, but its kind of hard.
It's not as easy as what it looks.
>> One reason family sessions are hard is because
you don't know how to project all of your feelings
to your parents, or to, you know, the counselors,
the complete strangers, 'cause they're not you.
And they don't know what you're thinking.
And it's hard, it really is. And I'm happy to say
that right now, my mom and I are awesome.
My whole family and I are awesome, just 'cause
I think I got over the little-- the little bump in the road,
one of the little bumps along the way.
Right now, I see myself laughing more with my mother.
I see myself joking around, going shopping, you know,
actually being home, not trying to avoid my mom
so she doesn't question me more, which is something that
I didn't have three months ago. Three months ago, I'd try and
sleep over at someone's house like every night.
Three months ago, I tried, you know, go out with friends
every night. Now I find myself
sitting at home, you know, actually conversing
with my parents, not yelling, but conversing.
>> I think that group therapy and individual therapy
go hand-in-hand. They need to learn to trust
the therapeutic process first, so one-on-one with the therapist
is going to be essential. That trust has to build up
for a period of time before they'd be ready for a group.
But then, they go to the next level of healing
with group therapy. There's a real healing process
that takes place with group therapy.
>> Horn: When they're in the presence of their peers
and they hear other students telling their stories
about how they're affected by their depression,
it helps them get rid of that feeling of aloneness.
"I'm the only one out there. No one else
can experience what I do." And they also give each other
pep talks. They encourage them to continue
when they hear something that's going well for someone.
They help give them ideas on how to look at things
differently. Group therapy works
because of the numbers. When you have other people
your same age who are trying to beat the same illness,
they come there with the same goal,
the same types of symptoms. The power of the group
is the group itself. >> Rothenham: The group therapy
with the eight teens, it was interesting to watch
during that group therapy process how they bonded,
how their trust grew. And nobody was--
And there was a great deal of respect that was shown
among the members. I was impressed with
the information they had. They were very educated
about mood disorders. They were able to share things
that have helped them. The other teens took it.
They weren't defensive. If their parents had offered
the same suggestions, or the same advice,
they wouldn't have reacted the same.
But it was such a homogeneous group, that all the teens
in there knew that they have one thing in common,
and that was the pain that they all shared.
And they all had a great deal of pain and suffering.
>> It does. It helps in the group.
It's nice to like, meet new friends, and stuff,
that are going through the same thing.
And they don't think you're weird for it.
I mean, that's cool. >> Jenny: I think being in group
is helping me. And it may help other kids,
because they know they're not alone, and other kids out there
do have similar... problems they may have.
And it's easier to cope when you know
that you're not the only one. >> For everyone,
every case of depression, every feeling is different
and means something different. But it all adds up
to the same thing-- depression.
And that's why groups are so important.
And that's why like, when I first came here
I was like, "Oh, man." But it's not that bad.
And you know, you might even get a soda out of it.
But it really isn't that bad, because it shows you
that there's people out there that care, that are going
through the same thing that you would never think are.
It helps to have someone that's been there and made it,
not to the finish line, per se, but farther on in the race,
who's farther on, that can be there
to come back and help you when you're having a bad day,
when you need someone to talk to, when you don't know
how you're gonna handle going-- after just being--
coming home and having a terrible day.
>> A checker at school for somebody suffering from
depression is a trusted friend who knows the symptoms that
that particular student is experiencing.
That person has shared it with their checker friend,
told them when things like, "When you see this in me,
would you please let me know? Because, I may not be aware
of it, I'm so used to it. Or, I've been living with this
for so long, I just need somebody to help keep me
a little bit in balance." >> That concept of checker
is because your reality is distorted, and you don't see
your behavior accurately. You may not see how irritable,
or agitated, or quick to anger you are, but your friend might.
And so, you ask your friend to tell you.
However, that peer needs to understand that just because
they agreed to it, before they were irritable
or defensive doesn't mean they're gonna take it
with a smile. But it's almost a blind faith,
blind trust in that checker's perception of your behavior.
>> My best friend at school is Jamie.
And when I'm at home, my brother's friend
that is living with us, he's always, like, noticing
when I'm down. And he'll ask me what's wrong
and try to help. >> My friends did that to me
when I was a freshman and I got very mad at them.
I feel bad now, you know. I was mad at them.
I was like, "I am not!" you know.
>> Rothenham: What were they saying that you didn't see?
>> I don't know. I wish, I mean, I had no idea
that they cared, because they talked to my counselor.
And I had no idea what was going on.
And my counselor came and she talked to me and she's like,
"Yeah, your friends were here, and they're sort of worried
about you." I'm like, I was mad.
I was like, "What are they talking about?
I'm fine," you know. And I couldn't believe
that they actually, you know, did that for me, which I wish
they would do now sometimes. But they're probably afraid to
now 'cause I blew up on 'em. But you know, 'cause
I didn't know anyone cared. I mean, sometimes it's like
I want people to care about me, but then when they do,
I don't like it, 'cause I feel guilty.
>> My mom wants to be my checker, but I really
don't express my feeling much. Like, if I feel sad,
I'll say it. But if I'm not.
>> As far as going and seeing a counselor, I don't tell people
often, just because-- I don't know, like,
if I trust somebody enough. Also, you gotta know
what kind of person it is. And is there really a purpose
for telling them. I mean, I'm just gonna
walk up to them and say, "I see a counselor 'cause I have
psychiatric problems and issues."
I mean... (girl laughs)
>> Sorry! >> Horn: That would be great
to get on tape, saying that to somebody!
>> No! I should do that,
just go up to them in the mall, "I see a counselor 'cause
I have psychiatric issues." >> People don't want
to express it. They'll only tell it to people
that they can trust, I guess. At least that's what I do.
For example, I originally, like, was, I'm struggling
with my math analysis. And so, since my math teacher
was a previous Special Ed teacher, he understood it.
And he was giving me study guides, and it's improved
my grade. So, I guess, if you tell the
right people they could turn out to be beneficial to you.
>> I've told people-- four, five...
six... that are my age-ish.
And it took me... Let's see, I was diagnosed
in 7th grade. End of last year.
Three years. Three years to get up
the confidence to share with anybody.
Anyone. I would not talk
to my aunt and uncle about it; would not talk
to my grandfather about it; would not talk to anybody
about it, except my mom, and my dad, and the counselor.
That's a long time. You have no idea how nice
it feels once you tell someone. Because instead of saying,
"Yeah, I'm going to my dentist appointment again,"
or "Yeah, I'm going..." You, you can actually say,
"Yeah, I'm gonna go to my talking session."
I don't call it a counselor. It's my "talking session."
And they just say, "Oh, good luck."
Well, not "good luck," but like, you know.
I don't know. I always feel relieved
after I visit here. >> I guess, since I was
diagnosed at a young age, I was able to become good
coping, have good coping skills. I've learned certain--
I've learned ways to get around things.
Legally, of course. And I've also been somewhat
of a good problem solver. Like, I don't know,
if something doesn't go my way, or something's not working,
I'll try to see what's wrong and what I didn't do
and try to fix it from there, I guess.
>> You're not gonna be at home all the time, and you're not
gonna be at school all the time. And, you know, those are the
two places you're usually at, so it's good to be able
to be able to talk to someone at either place.
>> They could always help you to make important decisions,
not impulsive ones. And it allows you to make
wise choices, and allows you to become a better person,
I guess. >> The teenager themselves
should never feel to blame, that they're defective,
or could not manage it well enough.
Because we're talking, again, about a biological disorder.
>> The students that were involved in the taping,
really were not just thinking of themselves.
They wanted to provide useful information for other teens
that are out there viewing this program.
The message being, you don't have to suffer with this.
You need to talk to a parent. You need to talk
to a trusted friend. You need to talk to a teacher,
a guidance counselor, somebody who can help you access
some help, so you don't have to deal with this all alone.
That was real powerful for the group.
>> These are modern times. And modern research has given us
powerful information and powerful treatment for horrible,
or potentially horrible psychological conditions
such as major depression. >> What I would say to kids
about depression is you don't have to
feel like this. You don't have to suffer
this much. The quality of your life
is not what it's supposed to be and do whatever you can
to feel better. And even if you're uncomfortable
with a suggestion of a therapist or a psychiatrist, try it,
because I can guarantee you your life will be better.
The quality of life isn't what it is now for you.
And you've got the power to make it better.
You've got the power to enjoy life.
>> Megan: I started a depression group a school.
I'm like in charge of it with my guidance counselor.
It was something that he asked me if I would
ever consider being part of it. He said that you could be
a real benefit, 'cause you've done this.
>> Jenny: There's not a lot of teens that will admit
that they need to get the help before it can be too late.
>> Robert: I guess, 'cause I think that if you don't want
to change, you won't change. It's just--
just the way things are. >> Kelly: You are in a state of
depression. No matter how much you feel
as though you don't want anyone there, you just want
to be left alone, you need someone there.
>> Erin: Like, as soon as I figured out what was going on,
and I started to get help, I told my friends
what was going on. Like, so my friends
would be there and try to help me through it.
And all my friends understood. >> Mandy: I talk to my mom
about how I'm depressed. And I usually talk to my dad,
too, and he helps me out. >> Laura: It doesn't make you
abnormal, or anything like that. If you think you're different
from anybody else, your not. Your really not.
You're just a normal person. Go out and play
with your friends, or hang out or do whatever.
>> Sean: On account of my parents bringing me here,
I kind of talked and it kind of helped out,
instead of keeping it inside and doing drugs and drinking,
and whatever the case may be. >> Lauren: When I watch this,
it'll probably get the best of me, and you know,
I'll probably start crying. I don't care if you're a good
writer, a bad writer, just sit down and like,
do something. Like, try to write, you know,
try to write a short poem or like, a short--
like a little paragraph, or something.
It's a really good way to vent, and nobody has to read it.
>> Megan: You're affecting everyone else, because
the people who love you most are gonna be affected by it,
because they're not gonna be able to see your smile.
They're gonna-- If they truly care about you,
they're gonna be sad. too, because it hurts.
It hurts when someone's hurt.
Sometimes on sunny days
There's a stormy cloud That follows me
It comes between me The sun and the moon
Up and down the hills I run Far away from stars
To blue skies and to mountains Don't think I'm crazy
Or think I'm foolish For feeling alone
Oh, I do the best that I can Yeah, I leave the pain
That I knew Oh, I'll be the best that I am
And live life true Yeah, to live life true...