Teen Depression

I, myself have experienced what it feels like to depressed, especially when I remember my dad. I have tendencies of over-thinking what my life would be like if he was still around, and stuffs like that. It normally happens to me every time his death anniversary is approaching. I've been experiencing it for the last 8 years and counting. In my condition now, I will have to say that I often feel depress,I mean who wouldn't?! I live in the school's dormitory and far away from my relatives, while my mom's in abroad. My only consolation, my friends. Depression can be very tricky especially for teenagers.

I read a lot of articles regarding teen depressions, one of those article is titled "Everything hurts- inside the teen depression epidemic" written by Liz Kearny (http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/everything-hurts-inside-the-teen-depression-epidemic-29141820.html), according to her post, in 2030 the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that depression will be the number one global health problem.

"Adolescence is a very vulnerable time," says Dr Tony Bates, a clinical psychologist who founded the organisation Headstrong, the National Center for Youth Mental Health."We don't want to over-read normal behavior " he says, "because a lot of the signs of depression – like sleeping too much, withdrawing from the world, losing interest in things, not eating or over-eating, loss of energy – well, I've raised three teens and you see all of that going on at certain times. We don't want to interpret what might just be a difficult time for someone as more than that.

Here are some signs and symptoms of teen depression:

• You constantly feel irritable, sad, or angry.
• Nothing seems fun anymore, and you just don’t see the point of trying.
• You feel bad about yourself—worthless, guilty, or just "wrong" in some way
• You sleep too much or not enough.
• You have frequent, unexplained headaches or other physical problems.
• Anything and everything makes you cry.
• You've gained or lost weight without consciously trying to.
• You just can’t concentrate. Your grades may be plummeting because of it.
• You feel helpless and hopeless .
• You’re thinking about death or suicide. (If this is true, talk to someone right away!)

According to an article written by Melinda Smith, M.A., Suzanne Barston, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D titled "Teen Depression- A Guide for Teenagers" (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm), the difference between teenage and adult depression:

Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in their adult counterparts:

• Irritable or angry mood – As noted above, irritability, rather than sadness, is often the predominant mood in depressed teens. A depressed teenager may be grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated, or prone to angry outbursts.
• Unexplained aches and pains – Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
• Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular problem for “over-achievers.”
• Withdrawing from some, but not all people – While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.

The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond a melancholy mood. Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in teenagers are actually indications of depression. The following are some of the ways in which teens "act in" or "act out" in an attempt to cope with their emotional pain:

• Problems at school. Depression can cause low energy and concentration difficulties. At school, this may lead to poor attendance, a drop in grades, or frustration with schoolwork in a formerly good student.
• Running away. Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are usually a cry for help.
• Drug and alcohol abuse.Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to 
• “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.
• Low self-esteem. Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness.
• Internet addiction. Teens may go online to escape their problems, but excessive computer use only increases their isolation, making them more depressed.
• Reckless behavior. Depressed teens may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, out-of-control drinking, and unsafe sex.
• Violence. Some depressed teens—usually boys who are the victims of bullying—become violent. As in the case of the Columbine and Newtown school massacres, self-hatred and a wish to die can erupt into violence and homicidal rage.

Parents play a very big role when a family has a depressed teen. They should be very vigilant about it. They should be able to talk about it with their children and be open minded about it, because teen depression can make or break a teenager.