Depression In Teenagers

Depression is a serious disease even worse when it affects teenagers because teens lack the experience of handling life’s ups and downs, and so the consequence of leaving depression untreated in adolescent can be tragic. Depression in teenagers are of different degrees. A teenage person can be temporarily demoralized by some events that upset him or her. But usually such mood fade away in a relatively short time. However when such mood persists and the young one has a general negative feeling along with the feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and anger, this can develop into what doctors call low grade depression. If low grade depression is not dealt with it can progress to a more serious disorder known as major depression. And in major depression the gloomy mood in teenagers is unrelenting and may continue for months. This type of teen depression is what often lead to teen suicides. But there is hope. Teenage depression can be treated.

Help and Symptoms of Depression In Teenagers

To help a teenager who is depressed there are many things you can do but the three things you must do are: Take some time to learn about the symptoms. Talk about the depression with the teenager and offer your support. Then take the adolescent to be diagnosed by a professional. This will help you get to the root cause of the depression and get a professional’s advice on the best treatment to go for. Symptoms of depression in teenagers will differ from teen to teen. While one adolescent may have anxiety attacks another may be tired all the time, have no appetite, experience trouble sleeping, lose weight, or suffer a series of accidents. Some young ones will try to hide the problem by embarking upon a pleasure binge – An endless round of parties, sexual promiscuity, vandalism, heavy drinking and the like.

How to Diagnose Depression In Teenagers

There is no specific medical test that can be done to determine whether or not a teenager has depression. The degree of the depression in teenagers can only be determined by psychological interviews and tests with the teen and his or her family members. Here a psychologist tries to get to the root cause of the depression, and then based on data gathered from such interviews, will recommend a treatment routine.

Myths About Teenage Depression

MYTH: Teenagers don’t suffer from “real depression”, it’s normal at that age to be moody. It’s nothing to worry about. FACT: Depression in teenagers is more than the bad moods and the occasional melancholy. Depression affects all age group including teenagers. MYTH: Telling a friend that his or her teen might be going through depression, or his or her friend’s teen might be going through depression is betraying a trust. The teen can get help when he or she is ready. FACT: Depression can destroy the essence of a teenager’s personality causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair or anger. Experts say that only 25% of teens ever receive help because they can’t seek help on their own. Depression is a serious disease and may just be a matter of life and death, if the teenager has major depression. So saving a life should come before any form of promise you made to your friend not to interfere, or trust. Even if your friend gets angry, eventually he or she will come around to realize what you have helped prevented. So when you notice depression in adolescent be quick to talk to someone who you think can help such teen. MYTH: Talking about depression can only make it worse. FACT:Talking to someone who can help with depression, such as a psychologist, is the first step to beat depression. And for a teen, talking to a friend can provide you with the strength and support you need to talk to your parents and school counselor about about getting diagnosed for depression.