Understanding the symptoms of teen depression may help parents get their children the help they need.

Here's a situation they may be able to relate to: A girl named "Ronnie" was crying herself to sleep every night feeling lonely, unloved and depressed. The anxiety of being teased at school, having no friends, constant fighting with her sister and feeling ignored by her alcoholic parents was just too much.

She was withdrawing, her grades were failing and she was looking for any way to make the pain go away. She wondered, should she numb her pain with drinking, huffing or cutting? Should she run away from her pain and take her chances on the streets? Or should she end her suffering once and for all?

"Ronnie's tale is typical of many teens in crisis today. Many of these young people show up at our doors looking for help, feeling they have nowhere else to turn," said Jim White, president of Covenant House International, a nonprofit in the U.S. which helps homeless youth.

Many people suffer from unsettling feelings, even adults. Often these feelings are temporary and will pass; however, it is important to understand these feelings and not let them get worse. Teens who suspect they might have a problem should ask themselves the questions in the quiz that follows. Although the following quiz is not meant to replace a clinical diagnosis by a licensed physician, answering "yes" to three or more questions might indicate a potential problem with depression.

•Do you need constant reassurance from friends and family?

•Are you having difficulty concentrating or making decisions?

•Are you overly tired, having trouble sleeping?

•Do you feel stressed beyond your limits?

•Do you feel a constant worry, tension or apprehensiveness about things in the future?

•Have you experienced symptoms of anxiety like a rapid heartbeat, uncontrollable sweating, frequent urination, diarrhea, dizziness or fainting?

•Are you uncommunicative, withdrawn or lonely?

•Are you obsessed with thoughts of death, dying and suicide?

•Are you disinterested in things that normally make you happy, such as school, work, sports, friends, family?

•Have you fantasized about or attempted suicide in the past?

"The first step in dealing with your problems is to talk with someone you trust," said White. "You can contact us. We are ready to talk with you any time of day."

For more information, visit www.covenanthouse.org.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.