Teen Depression In Teens

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

Depression in general is an extremely damaging illness and can, of course, become even worse when disregarded. Thus, adults brushing aside behavioral changes and problems in teenagers lead many of them to attempting suicide. In fact, the third leading cause of death for fifteen to twenty-four-year-olds, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), is suicide. For almost the entirety of their childhood, adolescents are expected to trust in adults, such as teachers or parents, to recognize their hardships. Teaching them about their own mind and surrounding them in a supporting environment would likely have a positive effect on adolescents. ("7/5 Mental

Depression is a common disorder throughout the world that affects all age groups. Although rare in young children, depression disrupts the lives of many teenagers. In the United States, 11.2% of 13 to 18 year olds are affected by depressive disorders annually (National Institute of Mental Health). Depression during youth is particularly destructive since it not only causes a loss of relationships and

Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders among school-aged youth, with high prevalence and far-reaching consequences (Probst, 2008). “School Phobia and excessive clinging to parents may be symptoms of depression in children. Poor academic performance, substance abuse, antisocial behavior, sexual promiscuity, truancy, and running away may be symptoms of depression in adolescents” (Sadock & Sadock, 2003, p. 554). Depression in adolescents often is an unremitting disorder that predicts ongoing depression and psychosocial impairment (Kratochvil et. at., 2005). It affects the developmental process, resulting in difficulties with concentration and motivation, leading to poor academic performance,

Depression is a disease that afflicts the human psyche in such a way that the afflicted tend to act and react abnormally toward others and themselves. Adolescent depression is greatly under diagnosed, and leads to serious difficulties in school, and personal adjustment. The reason why depression is often overlooked in children is because children are not always able to express how they feel. Therefore, teachers should be trained in dealing with depressed youths, and to advise the parents of the child to seek professional treatment. School is the place where children spend most of their waking hours learning, socializing, and growing. A child needs to be mentally healthy in order to learn properly, and sometimes problems arise at home, with

Depression has become a daunting problem around the world, with the World Health Organization listing it as the leading cause of disability.1 As well, in 2030 it is anticipated to be second on a list of fifteen major disease burdens.2 In the United States, depression is a large, but often overlooked epidemic. It is estimated that 6.7% of the U.S. population suffer from depression yearly, with a lifetime diagnosis rate of approximately 16%.3,4 Additionally, it is estimated that 4-5% of adolescents are suffering from depression each year, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 11.7% in youth aged 13 to 18.5,6 Although 60-90% of adolescent episodes last one year or less, 50-70% percent are expected to relapse within 5 years.5

Studies show that “every 33 children may have depression” and many adults with depression report that their illness began before the age 20. Until the 1980s, doctors didn’t believe that children and teens were mature enough emotionally to have depression. The truth is, teen years can be very overwhelming, adapting to changing bodies, taking on new responsibilities, and forming new relationships. Today teens must cope with different stresses than teens in the past. Children can get depressed simply because they don’t get enough attention or loving from their parents. Young people who have depressed parents, grandparents, or siblings are highly at risk of developing depression, but some people can also be at risk even with no family history of the disorder. In fact, women are more likely to get depression then men. Every year, 17 million people in the U.S have some type of

Depression is a mental illness faced by millions of people every day. People can try to help as much as they can, but sometimes it does not do much, and they become depressed anyway ("Depression In Teens”).

People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California

Most people do not realize how prevalent depression is in our society, especially among the youth. It is seen as taboo and more often than not, it is “swept under the rug.” Also, there are many different stereotypes revolving around depression and the people suffering from it. People believe that depression looks a certain way and some even believe that sufferers are only looking for attention. However, that is not the case. Depression is a very important problem that should be taken very seriously. The purpose of this research paper is to inform the public. Specifically, to answer the question of whether teenagers are affected by depression more than adults. If people are more aware of the issue, then people suffering from depression will feel more comfortable reaching out and getting the help that they need and deserve. It is important because depression is misunderstood. The people suffering from depression do not deserve to be judged for something that they can not control. How can someone judge something that they do not understand? If the community understood it better that could reduce the amount of judgment and negativity directed towards depression.

Experiencing depression is different for adolescent boys and girls. As Steinberg (2014) notes that throughout adolescence and well into adulthood girls suffer from depression twice as much as adolescent boys. Puberty seems to be the time at which the tables turn and the risk for girls increases. For adolescent boys depression during adolescence is a small range of ups and downs but for girls the rates increases so much that when they move into adulthood it is a very large drop (Steinberg, 2014).

What did you do in the last one hundred minutes? Did you read a book, sit in traffic, or watch television? Well in the past one hundred minutes a teen has committed suicide, the third-leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 24.

Teen depression is the point beyond sadness, turning into illness. This can be mentally crippling to an adolescent.

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.

These adolescents are unable to “shake their sadness and it begins to interfere with their daily routines, social relationships, school performance and overall functioning.”(2010:233) Depression often begins in adolescence and ‘it involves numerous and persistent symptoms including impairments in mood, behaviour, attitudes, thinking and physical functioning.’ (Mash and Wolfe 2010:235)