How do you know if it's depression?

[Katll]

So I was just wondering how to tell if you are depressed or if you're just suffering from normal teenage moodiness. Lately I've been feeling pretty down and restless but I don't know if I'm just having a bad couple of weeks or if it's something more serious. 

[geoff]

dear Katll, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment, which I'm sure is asked by many people, young and old, but what concerns me is that you felt down for a couple of weeks, so type in K10 in the google bar, I know there is one in the above information but I can't remember where it is, I think it's under 'The Facts'.

A high score will indicate whether or not you are suffering from depression, which means that you need to go and see your doctor, which may mean that you need someone to go with you, an adult, so how is your relationship with your parents, and if it's good then maybe you should talk to them, in any case we would like to hear back from you, so that we can then help you further. Geoff.

[Katll]

Hi geoff,

thanks for your help! My score was high but I don't think I want to resort to going to a doctor just yet. I think I might start exercising and looking after myself a little bit better and see how that goes before I take that step. Just becoming part of this little beyond blue community has helped me realise that there's always someone to talk to and that im not as alone as I thought. Anyway thanks again!