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Teen Depression Essay

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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 …show more content…

In teens signs of depression are much more irritable and in adults they feel a sense of sadness, body pains such as headaches or stomachaches, Unable to take criticism and withdrawal from some of their peers or even change their circle of friends and family members. In adults they seem to withdrawal themselves from the world.
Dysthymia is another form of depression, but it’s not as severe. This disorder can be a chronic illness that is long lasting. Dysthymia occurs every day for one year or less in teens. Some of the symptoms are fatigue, appetite deprivation and low self- esteem. The Primary Care Journal states that dysthymia only affects 3 percent of the population and it is associated with functional impairment. (www.en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/dysthymia). Individuals who are diagnosed with dysthymia usually don’t notice that they are experiencing depression. They are able to carry out their daily lives.
Gender differences do have an effect on depression. Girls are more affected with depression than boys because girls develop maturity earlier than boys. When young adolescence girls reach puberty they grow to become more self -conscious of their self- imagine than boys. Boys are more acceptable to their body change such as gaining weight or regaining muscles. In adolescence girls they seem to always compare themselves to others and their never satisfied with their appearance. This can lead to severe eating disorders

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