Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Article About Depression

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 3

Depression of Teenagers

It’s not unusual for young people to experience "the blues" or feel "down in the dumps" occasionally.
Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and
social changes that accompany this stage of life.
Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can
lead to deep disappointment. When things go wrong at school or at home, teens often overreact.
Many young people feel that life is not fair or that things "never go their way." They feel "stressed
out" and confused. To make matters worse, teens are bombarded by conflicting messages from
parents, friends and society. Today’s teens see more of what life has to offer — both good and bad
— on television, at school, in magazines and on the Internet. They are also forced to learn about the
threat of AIDS, even if they are not sexually active or using drugs.
Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes
they are experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it
may indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention — adolescent depression.
Parents or caregivers must take action. When teens feel down, there are ways they can cope with
these feelings to avoid serious depression. All of these suggestions help develop a sense of
acceptance and belonging that is so important to adolescents.
 Try to make new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to teens’ self-esteem
and provide an important social outlet.
 Participate in sports, job, school activities or hobbies. Staying busy helps teens focus on
positive activities rather than negative feelings or behaviors.
 Join organizations that offer programs for young people. Special programs geared to the
needs of adolescents help develop additional interests.
 Ask a trusted adult for help. When problems are too much to handle alone, teens should not
be afraid to ask for help.
But sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, teens become depressed. Many factors can
contribute to depression. Studies show that some depressed people have too much or too little of
certain brain chemicals. Also, a family history of depression may increase the risk for developing
depression. Other factors that can contribute to depression are difficult life events (such as death or
divorce), side-effects from some medications and negative thought patterns.
Adolescent depression is increasing at an alarming rate. Recent surveys indicate that as many as
one in five teens suffers from clinical depression. This is a serious problem that calls for prompt,
appropriate treatment. Depression can take several forms, including bipolar disorder (formally called
manic-depression), which is a condition that alternates between periods of euphoria and depression.
Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect teens to act moody.
Also, adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well. They may not be
aware of the symptoms of depression and may not seek help.
These symptoms may indicate depression, particularly when they last for more than two weeks:
 Poor performance in school

 Withdrawal from friends and activities


 Sadness and hopelessness

 Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation

 Anger and rage

 Overreaction to criticism

 Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals

 Poor self-esteem or guilt

 Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness

 Restlessness and agitation

 Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

 Substance abuse

 Problems with authority

 Suicidal thoughts or actions

Teens may experiment with drugs or alcohol or become sexually promiscuous to avoid feelings of
depression. Teens also may express their depression through hostile, aggressive, risk-taking
behavior. But such behaviors only lead to new problems, deeper levels of depression and destroyed
relationships with friends, family, law enforcement or school officials.
It is extremely important that depressed teens receive prompt, professional treatment.
Depression is serious and, if left untreated, can worsen to the point of becoming life-threatening. If
depressed teens refuse treatment, it may be necessary for family members or other concerned
adults to seek professional advice.
Therapy can help teens understand why they are depressed and learn how to cope with stressful
situations. Depending on the situation, treatment may consist of individual, group or family
counseling. Medications that can be prescribed by a psychiatrist may be necessary to help teens
feel better.
Some of the most common and effective ways to treat depression in adolescents are:
 Psychotherapy provides teens an opportunity to explore events and feelings that are painful or
troubling to them. Psychotherapy also teaches them coping skills.
 Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teens change negative patterns of thinking and behaving.
 Interpersonal therapy focuses on how to develop healthier relationships at home and at
school.
 Medication relieves some symptoms of depression and is often prescribed along with therapy.
When depressed adolescents recognize the need for help, they have taken a major step toward
recovery. However, remember that few adolescents seek help on their own. They may need
encouragement from their friends and support from concerned adults to seek help and follow
treatment recommendations.
Sometimes teens feel so depressed that they consider ending their lives. Each year, almost 5,000
young people, ages 15 to 24, kill themselves. The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled
since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause
of death among college-age youth.
Studies show that suicide attempts among young people may be based on long-standing problems
triggered by a specific event. Suicidal adolescents may view a temporary situation as a permanent
condition. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive,
self-destructive acts.
Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings. Pay attention to these warning
signs:
 Suicide threats, direct and indirect

 Obsession with death

 Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death

 Giving away belongings

 Dramatic change in personality or appearance

 Irrational, bizarre behavior

 Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection

 Changed eating or sleeping patterns

 Severe drop in school performance

When adolescents are depressed, they have a tough time believing that their outlook can improve.
But professional treatment can have a dramatic impact on their lives. It can put them back on track
and bring them hope for the future. I wanted to help those who suffer from self harm and depression
because when I was in their shoes I remember praying that somebody would come and help me.
Just talking to me would have been a relief, but nobody really knew about my problem, and those
who did didn’t seem to care much, which is a horrible feeling when you are depressed. I love
reminding people that they are here for a reason, and I love it even more when I can discuss those
reasons with them. Sometimes it takes another person to put it all in perspective for you, which I
tried to do via emails and letters.

You might also like