Q: A tough one for you, Sarah  --- have you ever thought about suicide?
A: Yes I have thought about suicide...I am not proud to admit this, but I have no problem talking about it as I hope it will help someone else. Suicide is clearly a very serious topic as I know people who have lost best friends to this act.

Q: Just random thoughts or what?
A: For me personally they were 75 percent of the time random fleeting thoughts. But the other 25 percent of the time they where a little more serious. These thoughts would be strongest when I felt powerless to do anything. They also seemed to be the most serve at night when I was alone and not keeping myself busy. In retrospect, they are very scary thoughts. But something I think is so important to share is that when you are in this deep state of depression not everyone thinks of suicide to be selfish!!! I can not stand it when someone who hasn't dealt with depression says "oh it so selfish to commit suicide." I felt like I was burdening everyone with my problems, so why not just end my pain AND stop burdening the ones around you. Some may end their life just to end there pain but not every suicidal person is thinking this way so do not make the mistake of labeling us all as selfish.

Q: What do you think teens need to know about depression?
A: One point that I can't stress enough is do not give up because one doctor didn't connect with you or help you enough. I hear all to often from friends that they just give up because one medication doesn't work for them, or one doctor doesn't help. You HAVE to continue to try different doctors or different medications. If your first try doesn't work, keep going, and keep trying! I can't stress this enough.

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Source:

Interview with Sarah. Teri Robert. August 31, 2009.

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© Teri Robert, 2009. Last updated September 6, 2009.