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Teen Depression
Teen depression is a very serious problem which can impact every aspect of a teenager's life. If this is left untreated, it can cause many problems at home and school. It can also lead to abuse of drugs, self-loathing and worse; it can also lead to suicide.
Teen depression can be treated. Experts say that 20% of depressed teens have ever received help. Compared to adults that have the means to seek assistance, teens usually rely on their parents, teachers, or other people to recognize the suffering they are going through and get the necessary treatment.
The treatment for teen depression can include therapy, medications or both. In therapy sessions the teenagers affected by depression are made to understand why they are feeling depressed and are given suggestions on how to battle it. The doctor will prescribe medications and will monitor the patients for any signs of improvement or sometimes, worsening of symptoms.
Teens have many pressures from the changes that they experience through puberty including questions of "who am I" and "where do I fit". The transition of the child to an adult can bring parental conflicts as teens start asserting their independence.
Teen depression can be difficult to determine because some of its symptoms like irritability, sulkiness, antisocial behavior, withdrawal and negativity are often what people experience when growing up. Teens who are depressed do not necessarily look sad or depressed. Knowing the warning signs is very important to be able to detect it in the early stages or prevent the more catastrophic results.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depressed teenagers:
Sadness or feeling hopeless
Irritability, anger or hostility
Frequent crying or tearfulness
Withdrawal from family and friends
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Loss of interest in usual activities
Experiencing feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Fatigue or lacking in energy
A lack of motivation and enthusiasm
Has difficulty in concentrating
Thoughts of suicide or death
A teenager suffering from depression may have five or more of the symptoms cited above. A depressed teen often has family problems. In many cases their parents have also suffered from depression, since depression in teens tends to run in the family.
