If depressed, symptoms clear

Dear Annie: I am 15 and a sophomore in high school. Recently, I’ve been a bit worried that I might suffer from depression, but I don’t want to bring it up to my parents unless I’m 100 percent sure. It would be horrible of me to worry them when I don’t actually have depression, not to mention how embarrassing that would be.

To tell the truth, I had to pull up all my courage to send this letter. Is there any way I can find out without upsetting my parents? – Tired in Toledo

Dear Tired: Here are some symptoms to look for: depressed or irritable mood, persistent sadness, crying, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, less interest in your friends, development of an eating disorder or a change in appetite, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, substance abuse, cutting, obsession with death.

Some depression can be a normal, temporary response to teenage stress and hormones, or a reaction to a disturbing event, such as breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the death of someone important to you or failing in school. The time to worry is when these symptoms last more than a couple of weeks. Please talk to your parents about your feelings. They’ll want to know. You also can discuss it with your school counselor and check out kidshealth.org for more information.

Dear Annie: I have been living with “Noah” for nearly two years, and we recently purchased a home together. Yesterday, in the garage, I found some “lingerie” photos of a previous girlfriend. I am hurt and confused. Why would he keep pictures that are 10 years old – in our home?

I asked Noah the same question, and now he is mad at me for snooping. He said I violated his privacy and he can’t trust ME! He claims he forgot the pictures were there. I am pretty sure that when we moved into this house, he put them away. He must have seen them. I am so upset I can’t think straight. What should I do? – Hurt and Confused

Dear Hurt: We’re going to ask you to do something difficult – forget you ever saw those pictures and don’t mention them again. They’re in the garage, packed up and out of sight. Noah probably doesn’t look at them at all and might have forgotten the pictures had you not reminded him of their existence. These photos are simply a part of his life before he knew you, and he is entitled to them. As long as they remain boxed up in the garage, such pictures do not threaten your relationship, so please don’t make an issue of it.