Depression

Teenage depression isn’t a stage that will just pass.  It’s not simply a spate of bad moods or the occasional feelings of sadness.  Teenage depression is a very serious issue that can affect everything going on in a teen’s life from their

grades, social development to their plans for the future.

There are many myths about teen depression.  Some think only young people who become involved in drugs or alcohol experience depression when actually the opposite is true.  Many times its teenage depression which leads a young person to experiment with a mood or mind altering substances in an attempt to self medicate.  The sad fact is there is help available for teens experiencing depression, but only 20% of the young people with this condition receive any professional assistance.  This might have to do with the fact that while adults can assess their situation then realize they need medical assistance and seek it out teens might not understand what’s happening to them.

A young person can have difficulty estimating the difference between the occasional ups and downs of life and true depression.  They might not see the warning in themselves, and even if they do they don’t have the wherewithal to find medical help own their own.

Teenage depression can be tough for an entire family to endure.  Teens face many challenges and pressures. Their life can seem like a giant question mark as they try to find out about the world and their place in it.  Depression adds to their doubts and difficulties.  For parents and siblings, it can be hard to tell the difference between routine behavior issues such as arguing, being withdrawn or moody from true depression.

When someone is trying to help a youth with teenage depression it’s important to pay attention to the how long the symptoms have been present, how severe the symptoms seem to be and if the teen’s personality has changed over a period of time.

It’s also important to note that with teenage depression the most obvious mood might seem to be anger or hostility rather than sadness.  If teenage depression is suspected action should be taken right away to get the young person professional medical help.