Adolescence: Stress, Depression, and Suicide Essay

It is not uncommon to hear stories about a teenager experiencing mood swings and rebelling against those in authority. Nor is it uncommon to experience general sadness or anxiety in high school and college. However, it is often difficult to tell the difference between normal teenage angst and clinical depression. It is not commonly known that there has recently been a staggering rise of depression in adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in twelve adolescents in the United States suffer from depression, which is 8.3 % of the teenage population. In order to combat the problem of adolescent depression, it is essential that parents take an active role in their adolescent’s life by both acknowledging and

Adolescent stress is an important part of their lives and it is important for it to be monitored regularly in order for them to feel the benefit of learning important stress management skills. About 39% of the adolescents undergo depression at one point or another and they seem to handle their problems in a way that is constructive. This stress and depression ranges from mild to severe with the young people often relying on negative or passive behaviors in their attempts to deal effectively with their problems. Stress is usually characterized by frustration, sadness, worry, tension and withdrawal. There are many reasons that lead to stress in adolescents and younger people. Various studies have been conducted to determine the causes of stress among adolescents. The

Joseph Connelly Gazzola used to be a Northeastern University football star. He has since taken his own life, and it has hit everyone he knew very hard.

Depression is a major predictor of a myriad of negative outcomes such as poor academic achievement, low self-esteem, decreased pro-social relationships, and higher risks of substance abuse (Healy, 2016). Additionally, these negative outcomes experienced by depressed teens may be even more apparent if the depression remains untreated. Findings mentioned earlier by Jones (2013) have also confirmed that this sensitive period in an individual’s life is particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms that could lead to dire outcomes. These negative outcomes found by Jones (2013) concur with many of the same outcomes Healy mentioned. Moreover, research by Jaycox, Stein, and Paddock (2009) further delves into the impact of teen depression on these negative outcomes. Their study broadens knowledge on negative outcomes in teen depression by examining them over a long period of time. The data is compared to teens that are not depressed, but experience the same negative consequences. Results from the research concluded that the negative outcomes such as school achievement and poor relationships were significantly more severe in depressed teens. After stating the major consequences depressed adolescents experienced, their study further found that treating adolescents may not only have clinical symptom benefits, but also greatly

Depression can destroy the essence of a teen’s personality, which can cause an overwhelming sense of sadness, anger, and despair. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a person’s life. Signs and symptoms of depression can include sadness and hopelessness; irritability, anger, hostility; frequent crying; withdrawal from friends and family; a loss of interest in activities; changes in eating and sleeping habits; restlessness and aggravation;

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression (MD) is characterized by severe feelings of sadness for a prolonged period of time (n.d.). Although depression occurs in multiple episodes, it has the ability to interfere and prevent a person from functioning normally. A person who identifies with this disorder experiences persistent loneliness, feelings of guilt, uselessness, and having thoughts of committing suicide. The onset of depression, like among various mental disorders, first emerges during the adolescent age. Due to the stimulation of neural pathways and behavioural patterns, together with the change in lifestyle because of puberty, the adolescent stage depicts a time of inevitable vulnerability. They become more susceptible to mental health disorders, particularly major depression, as a result of little or no support from parents, peers, or health services. Within the United States, 20% of adolescents have been diagnosed with mental health disorders, twenty percent of which suffer from depression (Shwarz, 2009). Because of the prevalence of depression and other mental disorders on the onset of puberty, it is important to address these issues as early as possible. The strong linkage of depression with suicide also construes a negative effect on adolescents and families overtime. Compared to previous studies, the primary goal of this research paper is to identify sociological factors that help explain the prevalence of depression within the

Teenage suicide is a major issue in today’s society; suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life and is a momentous issue that should be addressed as quickly as possible. Teen suicide has been the topic of numerous news headlines; yet, it still continues to have a detrimental effect on today’s youth. In the United States, suicide is currently the eighth leading cause of death for Americans, and for young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. This is extremely startling due to the fact that teen suicide is one of the most preventable forms of death. There are quite a number of

A depressive disorder is an illness involving the body, mood, and thoughts (Psychology Today). However, every person is different, and their way of describing depression will most likely not be the same as others. A teenage girl may describe it as a never ending hole she fell into, while a middle age man can describe it as feeling like he is drowning, but breathing just fine. Depression has come to be one of society’s most substantial issues, yet it never seems to get the right amount of attention. Teenagers tend to be what the average person thinks of when they hear the word depression. They think that since some adolescents are quieter, dress differently, or act a certain way that they are sad and emotional. Sometimes it can be the person

Depression is a severe mood disorder and it is the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder amongst adolescents. Depression is a state that adolescents can fall easily into. Teenagers spend more time with their friends than they do with their families which can result is possible rejection of peers. Individuals feel the need to have approval of self-worth by their peers. If they get disapproval, this can lead to brutal symptoms. (Platts, Kadosh, Lau 6). The symptoms can vary from self-worthlessness, anxiety, or a

Adolescence is a stage of maturation between childhood and adulthood that denotes the period from the beginning of puberty to maturity. However, many conflicting opinions are raised about weather such a stage of childhood is influenced by stress, depression, and suicide rate. Some people support the optimistic view that says that adolescence is not a period of storm and stress. Others, including me, support an opposite pessimistic view which characterizes adolescence as a period of stress and inner turmoil. Unfortunately, it has been recently proved that depression is a growing problem in today 's society and a major contributing factor for a multitude of adolescent problems. This is because , as research indicates, adolescent depression

Depression is the most widespread mental illness in today’s society. Studies have found that, 1 out of 8 teens are affected with this disease. It also predominantly affects young ladies than it does males. (www.kidshealth.org). Teens are at a position in their lives when they must face significant transition and peer pressures. They are trying to identify with themselves and trying to figure out where there puzzle piece fits in society, all of which can show the way to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a stage when families suffer from poor communication: teenagers often tend to keep their feelings and concerns to themselves away from their parents and other authority figures. Therefore, identifying depression in teenagers

Teen stress is a big issue in today's society. Recent studies have shown that teens may develop more stress then adults. Few adults can remember the truth about adolescence. "Their minds "censor" their memories, and have them believe that being a teenager was was one big party, free of cares and responsibilities"( ). There aren't that many adults around who realize what adolescence was really like. The anguish, the fear, the anxiety, the stress. People don't remember those problems because they want to forget them. Stress is a significant problem for teens. There are many factors that lead into teen stress, such as school, drugs, peer pressure and

Depression a word we’re familiar with especially when it comes to adults, we know adults get depress and we understand the reasons, with the high demands in life it’s not uncommon to get lost in the shuffle. Depression in adult is something we have known for many years, but what has surprised many of us is that adolescents also get depressed. I myself still don’t fully understand the reasons why or how this happens. I see it very often adolescent coming in to the ER because they are depressed and want to hurt themselves, and each and every single time I’m shock. What could be so bad in their lives that would make them think they have no way out? This is the reason why I choice this topic, I want to learn more of how this disease affects so many children and teens and what we can do to stop it.

Today’s teenagers are faced with the ever changing world around them and the biological changes of their bodies. Many teens are also faced with depression. Approximately half of teenagers with untreated depression may attempt suicide, which remains the third leading cause of death in this age group. (Bostic). This depression affects their school, family lives, and robs them of their self image. Depression affects many teens and often goes by unnoticed and untreated.

The teen years are usually the most challenging, yet most crucial time of one’s life. This is the time frame where one experiences many physical and emotional changes that may be hard to fully understand. The highest risk for depression actually falls under adolescents (Simon, Zieve). Through the various circumstances, falling into depression is very common amongst teenagers. Teenage depression is a serious mood disorder that often has no specific causes, but is in need of awareness of its contributing factors, symptoms, and how others should treat those who suffer from it.