This is Jessica. She has been feeling down lately due to her parents divorce. She decides to go talk to her friend Sophia.

Hey Sophia! I've been feeling sadness, hopelessness, frustration, and loss of interest. these past 2 weeks. Do you know why I feel like this?

Hey Jessica! I'm really glad you told me how you feel. It seems to me you might be suffering with clinical depression. You should get this checked out with a physiatrist.

Jessica agrees with Sophia and heads to her local physiatrist. He looks at multiple things.

Welcome! Before we start let's know a little about your family history. I will also do a physical examination and perform a blood test.

Sounds good! I don't have any family history of clinical depression. I think the cause of this is my parents divorce. I just don't feel the same as I used to since then.

Jessica's physiatrist tells her interesting facts about clinical depression.

Did you know that about 20% of teens experience depression before reaching adulthood? A mental illness can occur  to anyone at any age, and to people of any race or ethnicity.

Wow, I never knew this! That means that it's common and normal for anyone to experience changes in emotion. What should i do next?

Her physiatrist helps her explore what steps she should take next to tackle her mental illness.

Our next step would be try physcotherapy. There are many types but interpersonal therapy would be the most beneficial for you.

I've heard of this therapy before! It helps patients understand underlying interpersonal issues, like unresolved grief, changes in social or work roles, and conflicts with significant others. I would like to try this!