Some of the common behavior seen in teenagers going through puberty includes moodiness, rebellion and recklessness. The hormonal changes are bound to explain the unstable mood that the adolescent experiences. But when should parents, teachers or even the adolescents themselves, get concerned and seek help to address these symptoms?
Teen depression is a serious medical condition characterized by a persistent feeling of unhappiness that affects the functioning of the teenager in school or socially.
Symptoms of Teen Depression
In addition to the general depression symptoms previously outlined in the What is depression? article, some unique characteristics of teen depression are:
•Irritability rather than sadness is a feature of teenage depression as shown by grumpiness, hostility, proneness to angry outbursts and frustration.
•Aches and pains (usually headaches and stomach aches) that cannot be explained by a physical exam.
•Extreme sensitivity to criticism and rejection due to the feelings of worthlessness.
•Withdrawing from SOME but not all people, usually pulling away extremely from parents or beginning to spend more time with another crowd.
Teenage depression is not a sign of weakness; it cannot be overcome by willpower. If left untreated, it can have serious consequences such as:
•Problems in school for instance absenteeism and poor performance in a previously good student.
•Running away from home or talking about running away.
•Substance abuse in an attempt to cope with the symptoms of depression.
•Low self esteem as seen in feeling ugly, ashamed or a failure.
•Eating disorders which include harmful dieting, bingeing on or even purging food.
•Internet addiction as a means of isolation.
•Family conflicts and relationship difficulties.
•Reckless behavior: out-of-control drug or alcohol use, unsafe sexual behavior.
•Verbal or physical violence.
•Self injury through cutting, burning, excessive piercing or tattooing.
•Suicide usually preceded by thinking or speaking of, and making attempts at taking one’s life.
Teenage depression has similar causes as adult depression previously discussed in the What is Depression? article that include: brain chemicals imbalance, hormonal changes, inherited traits and learned negative patterns of thinking. In addition, some Risk Factors however have been found to trigger teenage depression. These include :
•Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as parental divorce, or the death of a loved one.
•Having issues that negatively impact self-esteem, such as long-term bullying or academic problems.
•Having been the victim or witness of violence, such as physical or sexual abuse.
•Having other conditions, such as an anxiety disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
•Having a chronic medical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
•Being a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in males
•Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender due to the isolation and bullying the teenager may experience.
•Having a family member who committed suicide.
•Having a dysfunctional family and conflict.
Treatment
When parents, teachers or the teenagers themselves notice the signs of depression, it is necessary that they seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health counselor. As in adult depression, a combination of medications, prescribed by a psychiatrist, and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) is very effective for most teens with depression. Where the depression is severe or the teenager is in danger of self-harm, admission into a hospital may be needed initially.
As treatment continues, parents and teachers are advised to learn about depression, be understanding of the teenager and to stay involved in treatment. In addition, teens need to be encouraged to engage in physical activity and positive social activity as these help in relieving depression.
The family of the teenager with depression also ought to take care of their needs as their loved one is getting help. This can be achieved through reaching out for support from relatives, friends, support groups and/or spirituality, not neglecting the needs of other family members and by avoiding blaming each other for the teen’s depression.
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Teen depression is a serious medical condition characterized by a persistent feeling of unhappiness that affects the functioning of the teenager in school or socially.
Symptoms of Teen Depression
In addition to the general depression symptoms previously outlined in the What is depression? article, some unique characteristics of teen depression are:
•Irritability rather than sadness is a feature of teenage depression as shown by grumpiness, hostility, proneness to angry outbursts and frustration.
•Aches and pains (usually headaches and stomach aches) that cannot be explained by a physical exam.
•Extreme sensitivity to criticism and rejection due to the feelings of worthlessness.
•Withdrawing from SOME but not all people, usually pulling away extremely from parents or beginning to spend more time with another crowd.
Teenage depression is not a sign of weakness; it cannot be overcome by willpower. If left untreated, it can have serious consequences such as:
•Problems in school for instance absenteeism and poor performance in a previously good student.
•Running away from home or talking about running away.
•Substance abuse in an attempt to cope with the symptoms of depression.
•Low self esteem as seen in feeling ugly, ashamed or a failure.
•Eating disorders which include harmful dieting, bingeing on or even purging food.
•Internet addiction as a means of isolation.
•Family conflicts and relationship difficulties.
•Reckless behavior: out-of-control drug or alcohol use, unsafe sexual behavior.
•Verbal or physical violence.
•Self injury through cutting, burning, excessive piercing or tattooing.
•Suicide usually preceded by thinking or speaking of, and making attempts at taking one’s life.
Teenage depression has similar causes as adult depression previously discussed in the What is Depression? article that include: brain chemicals imbalance, hormonal changes, inherited traits and learned negative patterns of thinking. In addition, some Risk Factors however have been found to trigger teenage depression. These include :
•Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as parental divorce, or the death of a loved one.
•Having issues that negatively impact self-esteem, such as long-term bullying or academic problems.
•Having been the victim or witness of violence, such as physical or sexual abuse.
•Having other conditions, such as an anxiety disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
•Having a chronic medical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
•Being a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in males
•Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender due to the isolation and bullying the teenager may experience.
•Having a family member who committed suicide.
•Having a dysfunctional family and conflict.
Treatment
When parents, teachers or the teenagers themselves notice the signs of depression, it is necessary that they seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health counselor. As in adult depression, a combination of medications, prescribed by a psychiatrist, and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) is very effective for most teens with depression. Where the depression is severe or the teenager is in danger of self-harm, admission into a hospital may be needed initially.
As treatment continues, parents and teachers are advised to learn about depression, be understanding of the teenager and to stay involved in treatment. In addition, teens need to be encouraged to engage in physical activity and positive social activity as these help in relieving depression.
The family of the teenager with depression also ought to take care of their needs as their loved one is getting help. This can be achieved through reaching out for support from relatives, friends, support groups and/or spirituality, not neglecting the needs of other family members and by avoiding blaming each other for the teen’s depression.
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