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Severe depression is the most common ingredient in youthful suicides, which have become an epidemic in some countries

Deadly Depression

You probably have had “down” days​—everyone does. Sometimes one may even go through what doctors may call chronic low-grade depression.a But major depression is different. “I constantly felt as if I were ‘dead’ inside,” explained Marie. “I was just existing without any emotions. I had a feeling of constant dread.” Vivienne similarly described her “no escape” situation in a letter to a friend: ‘The funny thing is that even after crying, the pressure is there afterward, all the time; it doesn’t really matter what I do. It’s strange living with no relief for so long.’

Yes, the gloomy mood is unrelenting. And this may continue for months. See the box in this article for some of the symptoms​—both emotional and physical. It should not surprise you to know that this type of depression is the most common ingredient in youthful suicides​—now considered a “hidden epidemic” in many countries. In the United States only accidents and homicide take more young lives.