Debora Serani, best selling author and psychologist, descended into a debilitating depression as a teenager, attempting suicide.

"I actually didn't know when I was a young girl that I was living with a chronic illness like depression. I just thought everybody was sad and tired and glum. I believed everybody was like that. But, as I got older my depression worsened. It got to the point of very negative thinking, self destructive thoughts and feeling very, very hopeless. AT 19, I was finally diagnosed with having a major depressive episode"

That diagnosis gave Deborah hope for the first time in her life.

"Sometimes people feel overwhelmed, with the diagnosis. But, I actually felt relieved because it helped me feel hopeful knowing that lire was more than just a never ending saga of sadness. It really was a tough time for me. At the same time, I felt inspired and felt hopeful for the first time in my life."

During the toughest time of her life, Deborah sought help and got it.

"I went into talk therapy and learned how to manage my illness. I didn't have a depressive episode until 15 years later when I gave birth to my daughter. It was at that time that I began using anti depression medication. Knock on wood!  It's been 20 years since my last episode. I like to think the depression is in full remission as long as I continue with with talk therapy and medication.

Deborah, who has been a practicing psychologist for 20 years, has written a book titled Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers.

"You know so often we think that children can't feel the pain of depression and sadness. Here's what parents need to know: children who linger for about two weeks in a state of sadness and sometimes with aches and pain, difficulty sleeping or even changes in their own self esteem---they don't feel good about themselves. They feel shameful and guilty about things they shouldn't feel shameful and guilty about. That's the tip off for parents. They need to talk to their doctor and get a full assessment of what's going on."

The bottom line is this: Deborah Serani says people with depression don't have to suffer!

"One of the greatest things I've been able to do is to let others know that there's no shame in living with a mental illness. Help is out there---and you don't have to suffer quietly or alone."

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