Hi Rib6, and Welcome!! Things seem so confusing sometimes, don't they? I'm not a doctor so I can't give you any concrete answers to your questions, but please don't think the worst just yet, OK? I think most teens go thru what you're going thru now - I know I did, and yes, sometimes it might be a bout of depression, but it may also be hormonal changes, so the best thing would be to talk it over with a school counselor or your primary doctor to begin with. And if it is depression, there are tons of things that will help - don't get too caught up in the 'mental illness' label, OK? The internet is a good thing, but sometimes reading descriptions of illnesses, any illness, can scare the willies out of a person, right? lol. So, hang in there, ok, and since not many people read this section, you may want to post in the future under the topic 'general' so that you get more replies, (even though this one was perfectly appropriate and correct. Take care. :-) Peanut

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT </font color=blue>