Depressed Teenagers in Today’s Society

2437 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Depression and its effects in adolescents

Depressed Teenagers in Today’s Society

Being depressed includes many feelings, and they can range from simply being fed up with the world to actually wanting to take one’s own life. I have been depressed before, but I have never wanted to commit suicide. I want to know why teenagers would become so depressed that they would even consider taking their lives. I want to answer the commonly asked questions about teenage depression. Why are teenagers today so depressed? Why do they feel like there is no way out for them except death? What causes teens to feel like there is no way out of their feelings of worthlessness? Does society have a negative impact on teenagers which leads to depression? I want to learn the answers to these questions. I want to discover how to help these teenagers who feel so lost in the world. Being a teenager myself, I realize that there is a lot of stress to be perfect. Although perfect is something that does not exist, it is something that so many teenagers feel the desire to strive for. I have teenage friends who I feel have been distant lately. I fear that they may be suffering from something serious, something like depression. I too have been a victim of depression, and I know that times can get hard. I also realize that if people do not get help they are giving up on themselves. People can not always fix what it is wrong in their lives. I wish that there were programs which teenagers could attend in order to learn more about what they can do in times when they are depressed. Teenagers need to know that someone is there for them. With suicide rates climbing into the thousands, depression is being seen as a number one cause. In order to help teenagers people need to start at the s...

... middle of paper ...

...en, and Kimberly Kirberger, eds. Chicken Soup For

The Teenage Soul. Florida: Health Communications, Inc, 1997.

Cohen-Sandler, Roni, Ph.D. “Do you need a therapist?” Seventeen Dec. 2004: 95.

Cytryn, Leon M.D., and Donald McKnew M.D. Growing Up Sad. 1996. Washington:

Norton & Company, 1999.

Depression in Teenagers. November 2003. Hearts and Minds Network. 8 November 2004

<http://www.heartsandminds.org/self/depression.html>.

Kolk, Bessel A., Alexander C. McFarlane, and Lars Weisaeth. Traumatic Stress. 1996.

New York: Guildford Press, 2000.

McEwen, Bruce, and Elizabeth Norton Lasley. The End of Stress As We Know It. 2000.

Washington: Joseph Henry Press, 2002.

Pipher, Mary Ph.D. Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. New York: Balantin, 1996.

Wallenstein, Gene Ph.D., Mind, Stress, and Emotions. 1999. Boston: Common Wealth

Press, 2003.

Show More
Related

  • The Relationship Between the Transactional Model, and the General Adaptation Syndrome

    1591 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jones, F, Bright, J, Clow, A (2001). Stress: myth, theory and research. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. p. 10.

    Read More

  • Major Teen Depression and Its Growing Issue in Society

    1368 Words  | 3 Pages

    People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California (Aguilar 1 par. 8). The warning signs and risk factors of teen depression include behavioral issues, social withdrawal, and inadequate interest in activities (Adolescents and Clinical Depression 2 par. 3), yet the unawareness of these signs does not allow professional medical attention to intercede. Deaths, illnesses, rejection, relationship issues, and disappointment present passages down the negative path of teen depression, but treatments, such as psychotherapy, intervention programs, and antidepressants express ways to subdue this major problem. Knowledge of the increasing dilemma needs to circulate, in order to promote stable teen lives in the present and future world. Understanding major teen depression, the events and incidents that lead to depression, and how to overcome the problem will lead to a decrease in major teen depression and its growing issue in society.

    Read More

  • Suicide, America’s Hidden Devastation

    1878 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many things which can drive a teen to commit suicide some of them are as simple as making fun of the “fat” kid in class; others can come from the mental images from witnessing a shooting. There are four major issues which contribute to teen suicide such as depression, family problems, risk factors, and teens reactions to there climate. Depression, unfortunately, is one of the biggest factors of today’s teenage suicide problems and some of the reasons for it are from the student’s own peers, “being depressed is triggered by loss or rejection (Joan 59).” Depression can be f...

    Read More

  • Depression in America's Teens

    2855 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Adolecsent Depression

    1549 Words  | 4 Pages

    The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade.[2] Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression.[3] Despite this, depression in this age group is greatly underdiagnosed, leading to serious difficulties in school, work and personal adjustment which often continue into adulthood.

    Read More

  • suicide

    1345 Words  | 3 Pages

    Teenagers in high school and just starting their college years are at high risk for suicide. Problems with a relationship or getting rejected from a college, feeling sa...

    Read More

  • Teen Depression: The Cause And Effects Of Teenage Depression

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever felt that you’re living with no purpose in life, or even worse, the sensation of isolation and loneliness? For instance, imagine that you are colorblind; nevertheless, people are constantly telling you and reminding you of how colorful the world is. Similarly, this is how dreadful depression feels like; it can emotionally drain you, break you, and kill you. About 3.4 million teenagers have at least one major depressive episode annually, and studies have shown that the number keeps on increasing periodically. Teenage depression is caused primarily by getting bullied or abused; hence, developing the feeling of loneliness and isolation in the teenager as well as referring to radical methods to forget the emotional pain: suicide, drugs, or intoxicating drinks.

    Read More

  • What Is Teenage Suicide?

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    Suicide is known to be the act of intentionally taking one’s life. It’s an action that is usually done in despair and loss of hope, and is a tragedy at any age. However, it is seen to be more tragic for those who take their lives at such a young age as they have just started their paths in life. Unfortunately, suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth. Nearly 5,000 teenagers commit suicide, and they range between the ages of 10-24, according to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC). A significant reason behind this number is due to the fact that large quantities of youth go through a period of commotion and uncertainty; new social roles are being learned, new relationships are being made, and future roles are

    Read More

  • Kelly Mcgonigal How To Make Stress Your Friend Summary

    764 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kelly McGonigal, A health psychologist admits to being wrong about stress in her speech entitled, “How to Make Stress Your Friend”. It was once widely believed that stress causes health problems. However, due to in depth studies on stress, and new way of thinking towards a chemical in our body, new research has proved that knowing and understanding stress is the first step in reforming our body’s responses from tense to relaxed. Therefore, in the long run, turning stress into a much healthier alternative through positive thinking. McGonigal uses cause and effect, syntax, and appeals to change the way we think about stress. Being mindful and having positive thoughts, living in the moment and reaching out to support systems can influence our

    Read More

  • Occupational Stress in a Call Center Center

    1716 Words  | 4 Pages

    Seward, B. (2012). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being. (7th ed.). Burlington, Ma: Jones and Barlett Publishing.

    Read More

  • The Growing Problem of Teenage Depression in Today's Society

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    Teenage depression is a growing problem in today's society and is often a major contributing factor for a multitude of adolescent problems. The statistics about teenage runaways, alcoholism, drug problems, pregnancy, eating disorders, and suicide are alarming. Even more startling are the individual stories behind these statistics because the young people involved come from all communities, all economic levels, and all home situations-anyone's family. The common link is often depression. For the individuals experiencing this crisis, the statistics become relatively meaningless. The difficult passage into adolescence and early adulthood can leave lasting scars on the lives and psyches of an entire generation of young men and women. There is growing realization that teenage depression can be life- changing, even life threatening.

    Read More

  • Teen Depression

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    Depression is the most widespread mental illness in today’s society. Studies have found that, 1 out of 8 teens are affected with this disease. It also predominantly affects young ladies than it does males. (www.kidshealth.org). Teens are at a position in their lives when they must face significant transition and peer pressures. They are trying to identify with themselves and trying to figure out where there puzzle piece fits in society, all of which can show the way to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a stage when families suffer from poor communication: teenagers often tend to keep their feelings and concerns to themselves away from their parents and other authority figures. Therefore, identifying depression in teenagers can be difficult for adults to notice. However, it is very essential that adolescents with depression get assistance on handling their problems. For this reason, the focus of this paper will be about how parents can identify if their child are depressed. If adults are able to identify and have an understanding about depression so many lives could be saved.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Depression And Suicide

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    A young, teenage girl sits with her friends, talking, laughing, and making jokes. She seems completely normal and happy, even. What people don’t know is that this is nothing but a mask covering the loneliness that seems to run through her veins, and the unexplainable sadness that never goes away. She fears speaking of it, of admitting the uncontrollable hatred she feels for everything about herself, so much that she contemplates ending it all. The fact is, suicide is the third leading cause for death in people under the age of twenty-five. Our country needs to stop seeing this as a casual thing. Depression, anxiety, and suicide in youth are real and serious issues that we need to be more aware of in today’s society.

    Read More

  • Depression In High Schools

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    Look around you and notice there are actual people, that are dealing with hunger, with pain, with anxiety. These people hide their emotions inside, and they make sure no one finds out. People like this are all around you, you talk to them, you have lunch with them, and you do classwork with them. While there are more than 19 million people in America suffering of depression, and more than 20% of children and adolescents have mental health problems, there is so little being done about it. Schools around the world need to hear these people and help them, that is why High Schools need to have more resources for students to receive therapy and emotional support that is always confidential.

    Read More

  • Causes and Effect of Depression among Teenagers

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Depressed Teenagers in Today’s Society

Open Document