If left alone with intense emotions, people feeling depressed, sad, or alienated can start feeling even more hopeless and helpless, angry, and withdrawn. When someone feels this bad, they may consider taking their own life, or committing suicide, to end the pain.

Some people can't think of any other way of stopping the hurt they feel inside. They don't understand that they don't have to feel that way, that they can get help. Just as in other illnesses, a person can receive the best medical treatment and still remain depressed, but there are many medical interventions that can help. Encourage anyone you know who is depressed to get help.


Last reviewed January 2008