Not only does depression impact on how we think, it has an adverse impact on how we feel. People who are clinically depressed feel sad most of the time. This, of course, is the common perception of the emotions of depression. However it isn’t always as simple as that. Younger people, particularly adolescents, often feel bored and listlss rather than sad and blue. Children can experience a wide range of emotions when depressed ranging from anger to anxiety and fear. The varying emotions of depression make it difficult for people to recognise the condition at times.

Depressed adults often feel that life isn’t worth living. Everything they experience seems dull and lifeless. They frequently stop feeling happyiness or joy in the things that used to bring them pleasure. This lack of interest in life, called anhedonia, become pervasive and people begain to withdraw from the world into the inner silence of hopelessness and helplessness.

Depression is a physical illness as much as a mental illness. It is physical because depression is a result of brain chemicals not doing thier job properly. When brain chemistry goes wrong feelings are effected and sadness soon becomes the primary feeling.

It is important to realise that anxiety and fear can also be signs of clinical depression and that boredom and lack of interest in school and sports can be a real symptom of depression in adolescents.