Depression is feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
It is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home (Parekh, 2017). Depression is regarded as an adult disorder and is very uncommon in children, but has been known to present itself in mid to late adolescents at the average age of 13 or 14 (Crundwel & Killu, 2010). Jane, for example, is a 13-year-old, female, showing changes in weight, complaints of feeling ill, isolation from peers, defiance, irritability, lack of interest, poor time management, and follow-through.