In my experience, a friend with depression has told me that he tends to fake his emotions around people, especially positive ones, such as excitement, enthusiasm, joy, etc. The surprising thing is that he is a humorous guy who is liked by many people. Often times, it is the people you least expect to have depression, so you have to really listen to them with an open heart if they open up to you about how they are truly feeling.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. While depression doesn't always have obvious on-the-surface signs, they opened up to me a few months ago, and this is what I've noticed from the few conversations we've had:

1. Locking oneself in their own world and not paying attention to others around them.

2. Wanting to be alone

3. Seeing no ultimate solution to their problems

4. Needing someone to talk to

5. But, distancing themselves from those who care about them, or when you probe for more answers, or even try to care

6. Exhibiting no hope

7. Indulging in food, music, and other pleasures to distract them from their thoughts

It's important to keep in mind that often no symptoms will be visible from the outside. Often, people with depression will internalize their suffering, and keep their feelings and pain from their friends and family. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple "how are you doing" or "what are you feeling" to get under the surface of someone with mental illness. Other times, it's much more difficult. Depression occurs on a spectrum, and it's crucial to consider that it might not be obvious that someone is struggling.

Sometimes there are less obvious signs. One of them being a messy room or poor hygiene. While these things do not always indicate poor mental health, in tandem with any of the other things above can indicate a depressive disorder. Additionally, depression can cause insomnia, so teens suffering this disorder may appear "slow" due to lack of sleep.

There are many symptoms of teenage depression, but these symptoms differ depending on the teen. Some symptoms include:

• noticeable change in thinking/behavior

• apathy

• difficulty concentrating

• irresponsible behavior

• withdrawal from friends

• loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating

• sadness, anxiety, hopelessness

• use of alcohol and drugs

• promiscuous sexual activity

• memory loss

• sudden drop in grades

• difficulty making decisions