“Real depression isn't being sad when something in your life goes wrong. Real depression is being sad when everything in your life is going right" (Kevin Breel). For nineteen-year-old Kevin Breel, this is what his life consisted of. Kevin lead a double life. The world saw a popular, enthusiastic star basketball player who laughed constantly, while he was seeing the truth; he was tortured by intense pain that kept thriving. Over 121 million people worldwide struggle with depression (Carroll). Adolescent depression is a growing problem in today’s society and is often a major contributing factor for a multitude of teenage problems. Adolescent despondency affects the way an individual sleeps, eats, the way they feel about themselves and those around them (“Side Effects of Untreated Depression”). This particular mental disease changes the outlook on a teenager’s view on themselves, loved ones, and their surroundings. Depression can be a responsive action to certain situations, such as emotional trauma, and stress. It can have devastating, and in some cases, life threatening, effects on younger members of society. Due to the fact that normal, unaffected teenagers naturally have fluctuating moods, it is much more difficult to diagnose depression at this age. There are two types of depression: major depression and dyshymia. Major depression, or clinical depression, lasts in shorter intervals; these episodes last minimuly two weeks and can occur multiple times throughout a human being's lifetime. This specific type of depression usually occurs after the child had been introduced to a traumatic event. The second type of depression, dysthymia, is less lethal than major depression. However, dysthymia is a chronic form of depres... ... middle of paper ... ...m/health/teens-story-depression- goes-viral-8C11356040>. Irvine, Martha . "Study: Youth now have more mental health issues." boston.com. 11 Jan. 2010. 4 May. 2014. . Massachusetts General Hospital. N.p., 2010. Web. 4 May 2014. . Mayo Clinic Staff. "Teen Depression." Causes. N.p., 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 03 May 2014. . "Side Effects of Untreated Depression." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. . "Teen Eating Disorders." Teen Depression. 16 Feb. 2012. 4 May. 2014. .
Teenage Depression. Everywhere you look these two words appear together as one, in newspapers and magazines, as well as in scholarly reports. Teenage depression is one of today's "hot topics" this among other teenage mental health problems, has been brought to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years after several incidents involving school shootings (CQ 595). The environment that teens grow up in today is less supportive and more demanding than it was twenty years ago. Not only are the numbers of depressed teens rising, but children are also being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. Studies have found that, "There is an estimated 1.5-3 million American children and adolescents who suffer from depression, a condition unrecognized in children until about 20 years ago" (CQR 595). This increase in depression is due to social factors that teenagers have to deal with everyday. A recent study found that, "About five percent of teenagers have major depression at any one time. Depression can be very impairing, not only for the affected teen, but also for his or her family-and too often, if not addressed, depression can lead to substance abuse or more tragic events" (NAMI.org). Gender roles and other societal factors including the pressures on girls to look and act a certain way, the pressures on boys to suppress their emotions and put on a tough front and the pressures on both sexes to do well in school and succeed, all contribute to depression in teens today. Depression is a growing problem which crosses gender lines and one that needs to be dealt with with more than just medication.
Depression is a term that covers a wide range of emotional states. Klerman (cited in Marsella, Hirschfeld & Katz, 1987) said that "as a normal mood, depression is almost universal in human experience; for example, not to grieve after the loss of a loved one is somehow less than human" (p.3). Depression can range in severity from normal everyday moods of sadness, to psychotic episodes with increased risk of suicide (Gotlib & Colby, 1987).
By analyzing depression, we will find that depression is a disease that afflicts the human psyche in such a way that the afflicted tends to act and react abnormally toward others and himself. Therefore it comes to no surprise to discover that adolescent depression is strongly linked to teen suicide. Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer (Blackman, 1995). Despite this increased suicide rate, depression in this age group is greatly underdiagnosed and leads to serious difficulties in school, work and personal adjustment which may often continue into adulthood. However, how prevalent are mood disorders in children and when should an adolescent with changes in mood be considered clinically depressed? Brown (1996) has said the reason why depression is often over looked in children and adolescents is because "children are not always able to express how they feel." Sometimes the symptoms of mood disorders take on different forms in children than in adults. Adolescence is a time of emotional
Since the late nineteenth century, there has been an increasing interest in the study of psychology. In recent years, in the field of psychology, researchers and other professionals have been seen to have a specific interest in the mental health of adolescents. Studies done by these researchers over the past century have proven a steady increment of diagnosable and treatable mental illnesses in young adults and children. There has been much speculation as to why this number has seen such a dramatic rise over the past century; studies have linked it with many issues facing contemporary society including the excessive use of technology and pressures to excel and be perfect in all areas of life, especially in school and one’s physical appearance.
Numerous teenagers will experience some type of depression in their lifetime, and many people may not realize the commonality of teenage depression or the seriousness of it. Many people also don’t know what depression actually is. In reality,
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.
for that reason. Children tend to express their sadness by behavioral changes, poor Recognizing the symptoms and early signs of childhood depression, seeking diagnosis and treatment and learning to live with and accept the disorder and still live for yourself are all important steps for knowledgeable parents.
Whether it is severe or it is everyday sadness everyone experience depression at some point in his or her life. Depression is common but can be serious mental health disorder that affects many people around the world, regardless of their age, race or gender. Women are 70% more probable than men to be affected by depression whereas, adolescent between the age of 18-25 are about 60% more prone to experience depression than
Teenage depression is a growing problem in today’s society so it is not abnormal for an adolescent to feel “down in the dumps.” According to the National Comorbidity Survey “14% of teens
It may even come abruptly, happening in just a few weeks or days. Nervous breakdowns are commonly associated with depression and are often identified due to the confusion and fear that depression brings. Depression heavily influences emotions and one’s outlook on life and more than often ends up changing a person’s life in a major way. People experiencing depression often feel sad every day and cry very often, making that too another daily routine. Even when participating in activities that used to bring joy, people begin to lose interest and begin secluding themselves from people and things they love. Depression still exists in the teen population and recently has begun increasing in numbers. Reports of depression in teenagers have shown different signs from those of adults. Physical complaints are very common in the younger crowd, including stomachaches and headaches. It also leads to or is in correlation with eating disorders or abnormality, social withdrawal, and of course, depressed mood. They may feel unenthusiastic about school and other activities. Their sleeping patterns become irregular and unhealthy, they may sleep more, but still feel an extreme lack of energy or enthusiasm. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical rather than emotional
There is a serious and dangerous illness in America that affects teenagers each day. Teenage depression is a serious medical illness that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in everyday activities. It is not a weakness or an illness that can be overlooked. If gone untreated, it can become fatal. Those who suffer from depression are at an increased risk for suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds (“Teen Suicide Statistics”). Most people often thought that depression only happened to adults. In fact, 20 percent of teens will experience some form of depression before reaching adulthood (“Teen Depression Statistics”).
Research has proven that depression is experienced by people of different cities and nationalities in this world. This specific despondency is a seemingly lifetime struggle that adolescents experience in their youthful years. In my essay I will be explaining how teens may become exposed to the illness and how we can improve their state of depression.
Although many people do not see it, depression is everywhere. Depression is a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. About 3.3% of adolescents experience depression each year, and women are 70% more likely to experience it than men (National Institute of Mental Health). This does not account for the number of people who suffer from depression, but are too scared to ask for help. This number may seem small, but depression is not a small thing; no one should have to suffer through this mental condition. Therefore, everyone should know how self-reflection and social life relate to depression in adolescents.
Empfield, M., Bakalar, N. (2001). Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment and Management, Holt Paperbacks, New York.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression can be defined as a state of mental instability which affects the human body, mood, thought pattern, and relationship with others. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that about eleven percent of teenagers have depressive disorder by age eighteen. (National Institute of Mental Health). Teenage depression is one of the issues confronting teenagers in today’s society. Depression can occur at every age in the human life, but it is more common in teenagers.