Everyone has different moods. However, some mood swings are severe- from extreme happiness to extreme sadness- and last for a long period of time. When these mood swings interfere with everyday living, a person is said to be suffering from an affective disorder.

Clinical Depression- If feelings of sadness or hopelessness last for more than a few weeks and interfere with daily activities and interests, a person may be suffering from clinical depression. Clinical depression can occur over a single situation, or it can be about life in general. It can be a serious health problem that affects one's ability to concentrate, to sleep, to perform at school or work, or to handle everyday decisions and challenges.

Manic-Depressive Disorder- When a person's moods shift dramatically from one emotional extreme to another for no apparent reason, he or she may suffer from manic-depressive disorder. During manic periods, manic depressives may feel extremely happy or high. They may be overly talkative, often going rapidly from one topic of conversation to another. They may make lots of plans and take part in all sorts of activities. Manic Depressives sometimes act impulsively or take unnecessary risks. Often this high period ends abruptly, and a period of depression sets in. Between episodes of extreme emotions, however, manic depressives may behave normally.

Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, depression tends to run in families. Any kind of emotional loss can cause depression. Unmet emotional needs and loneliness can also lead to feelings of depression. A healthy individual recognizes the feelings as a normal response to an event and looks for constructive ways to cope with feelings. It is when the person cannot cope with the feelings and is unable to get back into the swing of things that depression becomes a problem that could lead to thoughts of suicide.

Teenage Suicide- Suicide, the intended taking of one's own life, has become an increasing problem in the United States. Each year thousands of teenagers attempt suicide. In fact, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 19. The rate of reported suicides among young people has nearly tripled in the last 30 years and continues to increase. There are many possible causes of teen suicide. One explanation for suicide is that families are changing, and teenagers can have great difficulty coping with who they are, where they belong, and who cares about them. Teenagers also have many pressures to be responsible and to succeed. Failure in relationships, at school, or even at a job, can add up to the depression. Pregnancy, alcohol and drug problems, having a sexually transmitted disease, or trouble with the law can be overwhelming to a teenager.

Sometimes feelings of failure or loss through death or divorce may be too much to bear. If you have experienced any of these situations and emotions, you know in a small way how bad a person can feel. Teenagers who attempt suicide may be looking for some way to relieve the pain of life that seems intolerable. Oftentimes suicide is accidental, a result of alcohol or drug abuse or misuse of firearms.

The vast majority of those who attempt suicide do not want to die. They are suffering and are making a plea for help. To see a list identifying signs of potention suicides and suggestions on ways to help, Click Here