Teenage Depression: What’s the Fuss?

The transition from childhood to puberty is a big challenge to children. Many adolescents search for their true identity, who they are and where they fit in. This constant searching, questioning and trying to fit in somewhere or with someone bring to bear intense pressure on the lives of teenagers, and they may become depressed as a result.

In their enthusiasm to express their true self and seek independence from their parents, some teenagers resort to different activities that would catch their parents’ attention. Some adolescents engage in risky activities like drinking alcohol, joining “gangs” and, worst of all, using prohibited drugs. The worst thing about this is the fact that it is really difficult to determine if a teenager is doing all these things because he is depressed or because he’s just going through a rough patch.

Teenage depression is a serious problem that affects every aspect of an adolescent’s life. Due to depression, an adolescent finds it difficult to take advantage of the opportunities and face the problems in his life. Teenage depression isn’t just mere sadness or mood swings. It is a severe disorder that should be given due attention.

A Guide to Teenage Depression

It is true that the teenage years are the most complicated stage in a person’s life. However, most teens are able to manage and move on with their lives. They divert feelings of depression and try to develop healthy relationships with family and friends. They also learn to develop their potential and increase their sense of self-worth.

Mood swings are normal in a growing teenager, of course. However, depression does happen in teenage years. The worst thing about it is that teenage depression can devastate an adolescent’s life and overshadow the rest of his life with intense sadness, worthlessness and anger.

Even though there is always a treatment for teenage depression, parents and teachers should be aware of its signs and symptoms. Unlike adults, teenagers have no means to seek medical attention on their own. They still depend on their parents to give them the help they need. If you have a teenager under your care, if you have a friend who’s depressed or if you yourself are a teenager suffering from depression, this article will increase your awareness about teenage depression.

Causes of Teenage Depression

Depression is an illness that has no definite cause. In teenage depression, however, it is usually triggered by three main factors. The first cause of teenage depression is social rejection. Since teenager years are supposed to be that period in a person’s life when he or she “finds his true identity,” a teenager usually does all sorts of things, experiment with all kinds of stuff/activities and wanders from one group of his peers to another to find his “nest” – that group to which he truly belongs.

He can become a well-adjusted and confident adult if he finds what he is looking for and if his curiosity has been appeased. Unfortunately, the opposite can also happen and instead of feeling a sense of belonging, a teenager may feel socially rejected instead. This is when teenage depression can set in.

Another cause of teenage depression is family turmoil. The family is the first place where a child starts to learn about love and acceptance. If a teenager grows in a home that is anything but loving and accepting, he may have a warped perception about life, love and family. Then he will see that his own perceptions are not in accordance with others. This can also lead to depression.

The third cause of teenage depression is failure to achieve their goals in life. Teenagers want to explore their potential and they have a big desire to pursue their dreams. If they fail, it may be difficult for them to accept their failure and become depressed as a result.

Although the causes of teenage depression can be considered as minor problems when they are compared to the reasons that trigger depression in adults, we should realize that the depression that results – however seemingly minor the cause – is still very real. Parents should therefore learn how to gauge depression in their teenage kids, to give importance to the feelings and emotions of their teenage children, so that the condition can be given proper attention.

Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Teenage Depression

Most teenagers suppress their feelings and it’s quite difficult to determine if a teenager is depressed or not. This is the reason why parents and guardians should be aware of the different signs and symptoms of teenage depression. Some depressed teenagers appear sad, but others show anger and hostility.

Teenage depression has two faces. A teenager suffering from depression can be active or passive. Active symptoms of teenage depression are irritability, anger, hostility, restlessness, tearfulness, or frequent crying and agitation. Passive symptoms of teenage depression are lack of motivation and enthusiasm, loss of interests in activities, hopelessness, withdrawal from family and friends, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, fatigue, and feeling of worthlessness.

If you have a teenager who has one or more of these signs and symptoms, try to remember how long your child has been acting this way and how much he or she has changed. Teenagers normally exhibit some changes in their personality because of the intense pressure that they are experiencing, but if these changes occur to an extent that may be harmful, parents must do something.

Effects of Teenage Depression

Depression can definitely have negative effects in the lives of most teenagers, their families and society. These are the following effects of teenage depression if it is left untreated:

Problems at school – due to depression, teenagers have difficulty concentrating on their studies. This may lead to failing grades or even suspension or expulsion from school.

Low self-esteem – teenagers suffering from depression feel guilty, worthless, ugly and powerless.

Substance abuse – most teenagers attempt to alleviate their depression by engaging in activities that can help them suppress their feelings. They resort to drinking alcohol and drug abuse.

Reckless behaviour and violence – depressed teenagers engage in out-of-control behaviours like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs or engaging in unsafe sex. Since depressed teens feel worthless, they may wish to die and thus do violent things. They may even kills themselves or hurt others.

Suicide and Teenage Depression

Suicide can be an outcome of teenage depression. It is very important that we learn to tell when a teenager is seriously thinking about taking his own life. Teenagers who speak so positively about death and are very vocal about committing suicide should be carefully observed. Teenagers who exhibit drastic changes in behaviour should also be carefully monitored. If a teenager who is normally quiet and forlorn becomes manically cheerful and bright all of a sudden, steps must be taken to determine if the drastic change portends serious depression. Finally, teenagers who give away all of their prized possessions for no apparent reason and do other seemingly irrational things bear looking out for.

Conclusion

Even though the incidence of depression is significantly less in teenagers than in adults, we should never take it for granted. Parents and guardians must support their teens and help them surpass whatever problems or difficulties they may be going through. You should take some time to listen to your children. Depressed teens want and need help. Violent behaviour, high-risk activities, failing grades, withdrawal, and all the other things that parents usually think are normal in the teenage years may actually be a teenager’s cry for help.