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Depression
Depression in Teenagers
Depression is a serious problem that affects teenagers
by negatively impacting their life if not diagnosed and
treated properly. Statistics show that 1 in 8 adolescents
may be suffering from depression. Unfortunately, 30
percent of those that experience the mental and emotional
turmoil caused by depression are not properly treated.
Depression is difficult to diagnose
in teenagers due to their up and down mood swings
common for this age group. In teenagers, moods
and feelings can alternate between periods where
life is perceived as either great - or awful.
However, these periods are short lasting for a
few hours or a few days. True depression is
characterized by long-lasting symptoms that
persist over a 2 weeks period.
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Symptoms
The main symptoms of teen depression include the
following:
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Irritability, anger, rage, hostility, and
frustration
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and anxiety
- Extremely sensitiveness to criticism
- Tearfulness or frequent crying
- Social withdrawal (from friends and family)
- Lack of enthusiasm and energy
- Decreased motivation or desire to be involved in
different activities (sports, hobbies)
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Rebellious, destructive or promiscuous behaviors
- Unexplained pains or aches
- Sloppy or neglected appearance
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
Depression Causes, Triggers and Risk Factors:
Depression can be triggered by different events, such as:
Pressure associated with
puberty’s psychological aspects (teens are
trying to figure out their own identity, who they
are and where they fit) as well as physical
aspects (caused by the influence of sex
hormones).
Parental conflicts and the need
for independence associated with the natural
transition between the childhood and adulthood.
Disturbing event such as the
death of a cloth friend or relative, and break-up
with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Every teenager can be at risk to develop depression,
but there are certain groups of adolescents that are more
prone to depression. The main risk factors for depression
among teenagers include:
Gender: Females
are almost twice more vulnerable to depression
than males.
Long-term or chronic
illnesses: Adolescents that suffer from
long-term or chronic illnesses has an increased
risk to develop depression.
Family history of
depression.
Dysfunctional or
disrupted family environment: abused or
neglected teenagers, problems caused by divorce,
death in family.
If left undiagnosed and not treated,
depression can have a devastating and negative impact
every aspect of the teenager's life which can lead to
unwanted baggage that is carried on into adulthood.
Unfortunately, depression effects can go beyond mundane
melancholy and sad moods and lead to the more negative
consquence which include:
School problems: Depression
causes a decreased level of energy, decreased
interest and motivation in school related
activities. The adolescent might skip school, get
bad grades, and refuse to complete homework.
Drug and alcohol abuse: Some
teens might use drugs or alcohol to cope with the
problems and stress they experience. However,
these attempts can become more serious, because
an increased amount of drugs or alcohol over a
long period of time can lead to addiction.
Running away from home: Many
teens choose to run away from home or talk about
doing it as an attempt of solving the distress.
Usually, this is a cry sign for help.
Low self-esteem problems: Many
teenagers suffer from feelings of ugliness or
unworthiness. Unfortunately, depression can
increase or intensify these feelings.
Eating disorders: Depression can
cause a series of eating disorders such as:
bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, and yo-yo diets
expecially amount the girls.
Self-injuries: Depression can
cause cutting, burning, and other kinds of
self-mutilation problems.
Promiscuous behavior: Teenagers
that suffer from depression can early engage in
sexual activities or have sexual intercourse with
multiple partners.
Aggressive behavior: This type of
behavior is more common among males, but there
are cases when girls too become aggressive.
Suicide: Suicide is a very
serious problem in teenagers, and is one of the
leading causes of death among adolescents.
Unfortunately, it is estimated that
approximately 500,000 teenagers try to suicide every year
and almost 5,000 actually succeed. Depressed teenagers
are more likely to attempt suicide. Signs of suicide
plans include:
Talking or threatening to kill
themselves.
Preparing for death by giving
away favorite possessions, writing good-bye
letters, or writing a will.
Talking about the future without
hope.
An unhealthy fascination with
death and the natural and/or accidental death of
other living things.
Usually, a suicide attempt is an act of desperation
when the teenager perceives his or hers problems as
overwhelming and unbearable.
Article by Alina Morrow,
MS Psychology
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Depression
Bibliography
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