The Dangers Of Adolescent Depression

Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, and pressure to succeed while growing up. These are fears that teens face every day and suicide may seem like the solution to their problems. There are many signs for parents to watch for in teenagers: changes in eating and sleeping habits, drug or alcohol abuse, violent actions, rebellious behavior, frequent complaints, and withdrawal from family and friends. Many of these signs and symptoms can be similar to depression. It is important for parents, teachers, and physicians to be aware of these symptoms in adolescents. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, October 2013).

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

Paediatric depression (depression that usually affects youth ages five to eighteen, or in some cases, individuals up to age twenty-one) is on the rise, and is quickly becoming a significant issue in today’s society. Recent estimates have placed its prevalence at a combined percentage of between two and seven percent for those between the ages of six and eighteen years old. Identified by a range of symptoms including: “low mood, anhedonia [the inability to feel pleasure], defiance, pessimism, morbid thoughts and somatic symptoms,” (710) adolescent depression, very similar to adult depression, takes a toll on the lives of adolescent youth and often alters their personalities, actions and behaviors. It is clear that adolescent depression is a serious illness that should be combatted in a timely and appropriate manner, and Bermingham and Shearer’s suggestion of psychotherapy as an initial method of treatment for people

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;

Developing depressive disorders in adolescence is common all around the world, but often goes unrecognized. It is widely accepted in America that teens in poverty are at higher risk than any other members of the social strata for being distressed and ultimately, are prone to increased psychological destruction compared to their social peers. Nationwide research has continually demonstrated that low income is a prominent stimulant of stress as well as behavioral, psychological, and emotional crises. Depression leads to the deteriorating of life quality, and impairs societal functioning. The burdens which depressive disorders are associated with is elevated among low and middle income families. These specific social classes increase risks for

Adolescence, defined as a period between ages 13 to 19, is challenging for those individuals (Gladding, 2012; Crisp, Gudmundsen, & Shirk, 2006). During this time, adolescents are learning about themselves while also dealing with challenges affecting identity, transitioning in various areas of development, and coping with life stressors. Not being able to effectively deal with presenting challenges can lead to disorders such as depression. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in daily activities that cause impairment in daily functioning are characteristics of depressive disorders (APA, 2013). Adolescents, especially females, are more likely to suffer from depression or depressive like symptoms during their adolescent years (Crisp et al.,

The rate of adolescents with clinical depression, particularly among young teen girls and young women, has increased over the decade ending in 2014. Major depressive episodes, also known as clinical depression, occur when someone develops a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities along with other depressive symptoms consistently for at least two weeks.

Everyday, teenagers have a routine. They usually get up, go to school, and come home. Each of these activities are filled with many complex issues, stress related problems, and pressure. These issues can lead to depression. Every 1 teenager out of 5 will develop a type of depression (Jones 1). “Adolescent depression is a disease that affects the psyche in a way that the person affected with it will act and react abnormally toward others and themselves” (Blackman 2). About 19 million Americans are diagnosed with some sort of depression. 9 million of them are adolescents (Jones 1). Suicide is affiliated with depression greatly. 15% of all adolescents who are diagnosed with depression commit suicide (Jones 1). “Since 1995, suicide is

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

Throughout history, we have heard the rhetoric expressed repeatedly that depression occurs in adulthood and that children and adolescents do not experience episodes of depression. The ailment of adulthood and depression is something that is not accurately especially given the current reality in face in society. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2015, an estimated 3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Not to solely focus on adolescents, the evidence about children are also alarming. According to the Association for Young People’s Health, over 8,000 children aged under 10 years suffer from severe depression. As practicing professional school counselors, it important we develop a deeper understanding of depression as its evident lifetime prevalence of depression increases in students with age. Furthermore, the lifetime prevalence of 12-13-year old’s, 14-15-year old’s, and 16-17-year old’s is 7.8%, 13.8%, and 15.5% respectively. In terms of race which also plays a factor, the lifetime prevalence of Hispanic, Caucasians, African American, and Asian is 13.6%, 13.4%, 9%, and 9.7% respectively. Additionally, a 12-month prevalence of major depression episode among U.S Adolescents showed female adolescents to be 19.5% while male adolescents was at 5.8% (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

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.

In this world many people are going through stuff in life that they can't handle and that frustrations builds up and they think of killing themselves or they wanna hurt other people.Three hundred million people go through depression around the world everyday of many different ages.There are different signs in telling whether a teenager is feeling depressed.Many people think that depression is not as bad as other diseases or problems in the world.

A black hole: A vacuum in the sky that sucks stars into its environment and destroys what surrounds it. Depression: A mental illness that sucks in not only the afflicted, but others around them. The mental illness that takes the energy from a teenager and causes internal pain that no one can see, but that one can feel. As depression takes control of a teenagers emotions, his or her environment changes, and others not being aware of this change can be detrimental to the environment he or she has made up. When people are aware, they can start to understand the adveral sadness some teenagers experience. Teenagers that do not understand depression others’ experience and its impact leads to a false stigma of this illness as well as the fragile state of mind it causes, so being aware of this illness and the availability for treatment will help people understand.

Although everybody can be affected by depression, teenage suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth 10-24 years of age in the United States (Nemade). In the world today, teenagers and young teens, ages ten to fourteen, may experience the early stages of depression. What is teenage depression? What are the causes of depression in young teens and what treatments and resources are available? Is there a brighter future for a teenager with a depressive diagnosis?