Signs of Depression in Adolescents

My sister that lives in California just sent this to me and I think it's something we should be aware of:

'An 11th grader committed suicide on the train tracks. They published warning signs for students, and are asking you to turn people in if you suspect anything. Here's part of the email:


Possible signs of depression in adolescents from Adolescent Counseling Services:
Depression in adolescents may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, and carelessness when walking across busy streets, on bridges or cliffs. There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.
• Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, neck aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive disorder (ruling out other medical causes)
• Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability
• Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage
• Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem
• Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork
• Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements or restlessness (anxiety)
• Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities
• Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness
• Change in appetite, noticeable weight loss or weight gain, or abnormal eating patterns
• Chronic worry, excessive fear
• Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts

Keep in mind that not everyone with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more of the symptoms above, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional. '