Arrow Archives
1996-2001

Man, That's
Weird
A column by
Jim Bennett

Flathead-High
FHS up close

Arrow Staff
2000-2001

Launch.com
Live music,
music videos, downloads & much more

Classmates.com
Find old friends from FHS

School District 5
Recent School Information

Yahoo.com Newspaper Listings
High school newspapers

The Missoulian
The Missoulian Internet Edition

TeenVoice
The electronic
voice of teens

Depression not limited to winter

  Elizabeth Kitterman - Arrow Staff

   Springtime is in the air, and many FHS students find that spring isn't quite as long and dreary as winter.

   Many teenagers suffer from a disorder known as depression. This condition can lead to suicide and should never be taken lightly. Being depressed doesn't mean you are suicidal or will become suicidal.

   There are several different types of depression, including clinical, dysthymia, bipolar, and seasonal depression.

   "I really feel, in the terms of global depression, that there isn't a seasonal affective disorder," said FHS nurse Margie Cook. "Depression can hit during any season.

   Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is a mood disorder, which usually lasts more than two weeks at a time. This type of depression usually makes a person feel overwhelmed with everything going on in their life.

   Dysthymia depression isn't as severe as the other types of depression. Dysthymia can increase the risk of acquiring clinical depression and usually doesn't‚t interfere with a person's life but can still be painful.

   Bipolar depression is when a person experiences frequent cycles of sadness and mania. Mania affects your judgment and may cause a person to go to extremes, such as suicide. It can also cause high periods of excitability that alternates with bouts of depression.

   Seasonal depression is a mood disorder that usually changes as the seasons change. The people who suffer for this depression may feel especially down in the winter but are exceptionally happy during the summer.

   "Springtime is a more comfortable season," said junior Sabrina Day. "It's sunny and not as cold."

   Depression can occur because a person is afraid of failure, is suffering from a terminal illness, is being bullied or sexually abused, and has thoughts of a better life.

   Other factors that lead to depression are when a person experiences some social rejection,has a hard time fitting in or has lost a loved one. There are many other reasons for a person to become depressed but the factors vary from person to person.

   "If somebody is seriously thinking about hurting themselves not only talk to them, but get a responsible adult involved," said Cook. "That adult can be a parent, school counselor, or anybody you trust."