Depression is common amongst acne sufferers. How do you know if you or someone you care about is suffering from depression and needing help? Look out for the following signs:

 
• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood.  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex.  
• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, self reproach.  
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.  
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain.  
• Decreased energy, fatigue and feeling run down.  
• Increase use of alcohol and drugs.  
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.  
• Restlessness, irritability and/or hostility.  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.  
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain.  
• Deterioration of social relationships.

Adolescents can also display the following symptoms:

 
• declining school performance  
• extreme behaviour and mood change (persistent depression)  
• being snappy and easily annoyed  
• risk-taking behaviour  
• drug or alcohol use  
• social withdrawal (avoiding friends or retreating to the bedroom)  
• a break in a key relationship