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. What is depression? Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the individual to self-harm or even suicide. Some of the main symptoms of depression include: an inability take pleasure in activities once enjoyed, abnormal eating and sleep patterns, restlessness, inability to concentrate, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Depression affects people of all ages and backgrounds. However, post-pubescent girls are twice as likely to suffer from serious depression as boys, and certain populations, such as gay and bisexual youths and American Indians, suffer higher rates of depression. (Cash) Gay or bisexual individuals suffer from higher rates of depression because a lack of acceptance of their lifestyle. This disorder affects daily life and causes pain for both oneself and loved ones. So reports indicate that depression can be linked to an increased level of irritation and aggression. (Hyde) Depression can be triggered by many different things and is not limited to just one. Without treatment, depressed teens are at an increased risk for school failure, social isolation,... ... middle of paper ... ...ffect one’s life tremendously. All you have to do is lend a hand out to help them through their depression and you could just be saving a life. Works Cited Bostic, Jeff Q. “Teen Depression: When should You Worry?” Newsweek May 16 2005: 52. Proquest. Web. 3 December 2013. Cash, Ralph E. “When Depression Brings Teens Down.” The Education Digest. 69.3 (2003): 35-42. Proquest. Web. 22 November 2013. “DEPRESSION STIKES HOME.” Children’s Voice Nov 2003: 14-5. Proquest. Web. 26 Nov. 2013 Hyde, Margaret O., Forsyth, Elizabeth H. “Depression: What you need to know.” Franklin Watts, 2002 Kasschau, Richard A. “Understanding Psychology” Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print. Martin, Michael J. “Teen Depression”. Lucent Books, 2005. Print. 3 December 2013. W. Meghan “10 Things that may cause teenage depression.” Mindyourmind.ca. Mind Your Mind, 22 May 2013. Web. 10 March 2014.
Lewinsohn, P.M., Hops, H., Roberts, R.E., Seeley, J.R. & Andrews, J.A. (1993). Adolescent psychopathology: I. Prevalence and incident of depression and other dsm-iii-r disorders in high school students. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102(1), 133-144.
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.
Approximately 24% of 12-17 year olds have considered suicide and up to 10% have attempted suicide.” (Suicide Intervention Training PG 3). Teens today are very likely to commit suicide for various reasons. In today’s society there are a lot of judging and bullying cases around the world. No matter how much we promote a bully free zone there will always be a couple of cliques, or individuals, who want to bring others down and who do not know the seriousness of bullying. Although bullying is a big cause of suicide, the leading cause is a mental illness that many people are familiar with called depression. “Psychiatric disorders can affect diverse aspects of an individual’s life.”( Dispelling Myth Surrounding Teen Suicide, PG 1). If you or someone you know seems down most of the time, the best thing to do is to go see someone about your despair. If you are diagnosed with depression, prescribed depression medicine can help and can be one way to prevent suicidal thoughts or actions. “There is a lot of evidence that suicide is preventable.”(Cont. Principles of Suicide Prevention, PG
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.
Twenty percent of teens in America today suffer from at least one symptom of depression.( Teenage Depression Statistics ) Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Depression symptoms include loss of emotional expression, feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, and social withdrawal (Teenage Depression Statistics )Holden Caulfield, in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, suffers from symptoms of depression. Because of his mental illness, he is a misunderstood, confused young character who is in search of his identity and place in the world. He suffers from symptoms of depression, which are rooted in a lack of closure concerning his brother's death. The devastation Holden experiences after Allie's death is understandable. This unfortunately leads to a lack of personal motivation, low self esteem and compulsive lying. Holden's inability to self-reflect and his stubbornness in overlooking the obvious has resulted in a chronic lack of motivation. Holden lacks the necessary ability to motivate himself, which is required to survive in the 'real' world. Holden feels no need to self motivate, because all those who survive in the 'real' world, he considers phonies. He is unable to realize the importance of progress, maturity and responsibility.
..., M.A., Melinda, Suzanne Barston, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. "Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents." Learn the Signs and How You Can Help Your Teen. Teen Depression, Dec. 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2014. .
National Institute of Mental Health. (2014). “Depression: What Every Woman Should Know”. Pub No. 95-3871.
Roth, Mark. "Teen Depression More Common Than Many Think." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 18 Dec. 2013: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. .
Adolescence is one of the life phases, which includes many changes and challenges that can lead to complications. One of these complications are the depression in adolescents. Teenage depression most often is not recognized in time because it appears
Cassano, P. Fava, M. (2002). Depression and public health: an overview. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53, 849–857. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.com/resources/depression.php
A lot has changed in the past decade. Due to systematic followup studies of children under treatment, and depressed parents, the onset of depression occurs during adolescence, and must be treated during adolescence (Weissman 210). Depression has a wide range of symptoms, from being sad or mad to withdrawal from others, or lashing out at others. Symptoms of youth depression are often masked. Instead of expressing sadness, teenagers may express boredom and irritability, or may choose to engage in risky behaviors. Other emotional problems make it hard to recognize depression in a child, but usually overlap with depression.
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...
The first article, Impact of Teen Depression on Academic, Social, and Physical Functioning, focuses on the affects that depression has on teenagers ...
Empfield, M., Bakalar, N. (2001). Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment and Management, Holt Paperbacks, New York.
Conclusively, teenage depression is a chronic problem in the life of teenagers, which should be properly handled. When signs of this are seen in teenagers, adequate steps should be taken, in order to ensure their safety and restore their mental strength.