Printable Page FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TEENAGE DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR ILLNESS Q: How do mood disorders affect relationships?
Important relationships are often damaged or strained as a result of clinical depression or bipolar disorder. For example, a classmate suffering from depression often withdraws from others, giving the impression that he or she does not care about friends or family. In addition, he or she may often be irritable or angry. Unless those close to the depressed teenager understand a lot about mood disorders, they may react with hurt and anger and friends may even end the relationship. Adolescents suffering from depression may not behave like their normal selves, and they are unable to tell others how awful and worthless they feel. It is important that, as their friend, you do not turn away. A depressed friend needs to know that someone cares, even if he or she cannot show any appreciation. Just listening to your friend demonstrates that someone cares about his or her feelings and thoughts. Your support may help your friend seek treatment and that is the most important gift you can give.
