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Depression and its effects in adolescents
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Dylan Klebold had depression. There was no doubt after his journal was revealed that he had depression. His parents did not notice his struggle with this illness. His enormous feeling of worthlessness and sadness directed him to his violent outburst with Eric Harris. Eric Harris wasn't depressed just angry. His anger fueled Dylan's small frustration with himself to lead to violence. Depression is a severe issue; it can lead to violence, anger, suicide, murder and several many things.
Depression is different than the occasional sadness or "blues". Depression is persistent and often interferes with the person's ability to get along with their parents and friends. Like Dylan, his depression was over a 2 year period or longer. It hinders with schoolwork and that person's ability to interact with others. They trouble to participate in normal day activities. Although not many teens show signs of depression, like Dylan Klebold, there are several ways to recognize depression; if they exhibit extreme and enduring sadness (Bonin). Also they may show constant anxiety or empty feelings; they may feel hopeless, worthless, or helpless. They may exhibit frequent crying episodes, or an increase in agitation and restlessness. Fatigue, decreased energy, loss of interest and difficulty concentrating are also common. It may be hard for them to remember details and make decisions. Their sleep habits also be changed, loss of sleep or too much sleep is often experienced. Poor appetite and overeating are common and may lead to eating disorders. (Busch).
There are several possible theories of where depression comes from, such as bullying, learned patterns of negative thinking, victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or mental abuse, and early child...
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...le with whether or not they believe life is worth living, like Dylan Klebold, several of them contemplate suicide. Many will take action and may or may not succeed. Whether they choose to attempt suicide or not they suffer from intense sadness and the feeling or worthlessness. Depression can lead to several things like violence or suicide or even murder. The causes of the intense anger that lead to violent outbursts is very dangerous.
Works Cited
Bonin, Liza, PhD. "Patient Information: Depression in Adolescents (Beyond the Basics)." N.p., n.d. Web.
Busch, Fredric N. "Anger and Depression." Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. N.p., 2009. Web.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Teen Depression." Mayo Clinic. N.p., 07 Nov. 2012. Web.
"Myths and Facts." N.p., n.d. Web.
Scott, Paula S. "11 Warning Signs of Depression." N.p., 16 Feb. 2012. Web.
"Suicide Statistics." N.p., n.d. Web.
Harris was “the callously brutal mastermind” while Klebold was the “quivering depressive who journaled obsessively about love and attended the Columbine prom three days before opening fire” (Columbine High School, History). On an article published by Cullen on Slate.com, it reveals the true motivation and meaning behind the actions of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.
Harris and Dylan B. Klebold were partners in crime and their motive was to kill. Eric D. Harris was the psychopath and mastermind and leader of the plan he was driven to kill and might have caused a bigger destruction if he would have waited years later to have caused destruction; he would have done something worse than the Columbine High School Massacre. Dylan B. Klebold was depressed, suicidal, and weak minded; he felt like an outcast compared to the rest of the students. Dylan B. Klebold might not have gone through with the shooting alone if he wouldn’t have been driven with the motive to kill by following Eric D. Harris and trying to be like him
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.
The Columbine high school, located in Littleton, Colorado, never expected that two of their older students would turn against them and commit such a crime. Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, were “social outcasts” and were fascinated by Goth culture and violent video games. The major question that has been spinning in everyone’s mind since that day is, “Did the video games and media influence them to kill, or did they have a mental illness; born as murders?”
Depression is feeling low. Dont feel good about self and unhappiness. Mood changes include feelings of guilt and worthless, being sad for a period of time, and become disinterested in things they enjoyed or liked. Some behavior changes are suicide thoughts, eating or sleeping more or less, can`t concentrate, and poor performance in school work or job.
In Columbine High School there were two students who wanted to commit suicide "Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold had plotted the massacre for a year as retaliation for what they saw as bullying and harassment from classmates " ( Moore Bowling for Columbine Movie ). Erric Harris and Dyln Kleblod had been depreesed due to their classmates bad treatement so they decided to commit suicide, they killed their classmates and a teacher then after that they shot themselves ." They used two sawed-off shotguns, a rifle and a semiautomatic pistol in a rampage that extended over more than four hours before the shooting stopped — allowing police to enter the school and find the bodies of Harris and Klebold and their victims"(Jost Gun Violence Article). This means not only people with mental illness who commit suicide, "but also" means that people who have been bullied by other people 's aggressive behavior which leads them to commit this kind of
Dylan Klebold was undeniably sick, as his journal and other writings can prove. A very intelligent yet shy boy, Dylan felt isolated and unloved by both family and friends. Dylan’s best friend, Eric Harris, was equally sick--if not more so--than Dylan and incredibly persuasive. Above all, Dylan wanted to die. Although Dylan wanted to love and be loved, his mind was plagued with thoughts of death and suicide. Dylan Klebold’s actions were a direct result of his relationships with family and classmates, his friendship with Eric Harris, and the mental demons that howled in his mind.
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.
Eric Harris, a seventeen year-old who committed the Columbine High School massacre next to his companion Dylan Klebold, wrote “I have a goal to destroy as much as possible… I want to burn the world. Kill mankind, no one should survive” (Cullen). Klebold was said to be suicidal and depressive and would always blame himself for the problems he encountered. On the other hand adults described Harris as a nice sweet-faced young boy, but they didn’t see the cold and calculating person he truly was. Both teenagers have been bullied all through out high school and had an intention to make everyone suffer as much as they did. For Harris the victims meant nothing to him, same feeling as someone who cuts the turkey for Thanksgiving. They both wanted a revenge and control so powerful that it would be assumed to be the greatest massacre in the history of the US, which made that their horrifying motiv...
“Kill me, please. I can’t believe I did that.” These were the chilling words of Michael Carneal, a fourteen year old boy who massacred a group of students in a prayer circle at his school (Johnson). Many cases of school shootings show students distressed and sometimes incapacitated by certain mental diseases that cause them to lose conscious control of their actions, such as Carneal who was later diagnosed with schizophrenia (Johnson). Many more cases however, are perpetrated by students suffering from severe depression or extreme psychosis. Nine out of ten shooters surveyed were depressed and/or experiencing suicidal thoughts (Toppo). “Research shows that people who carry out school shootings are usually social outcasts, full of rage, and show little signs of remorse or regret during their crimes,” (Johnson). One of the most famous school shootings was the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in which 15 people were killed and 24 injured by two high school students (Timeline of Shootings). One of the shooters, Dylan Klebold, was later discovered to be a severely depressed and miserable youth, whereas his partner Eric Harris was discovered to be a psychopath with a strong superiority complex and need for control (Toppo).
Depression and Mental Illness: Crime or Violence/ Treatment or Punishment ABSTRACT Statement of the Problem According to Michael D. Yapko, PhD,(1997) "in every way, depression is a growing problem. Rates of depression have steadily climbed over the last 50 years and are significantly higher in those born after 1954 than in those born before. In addition, the average age of on-set depressive episode is steadily decreasing it is now mid-20s whereas it once was mid-30s. Cross-cultural data show that the United States has a higher rate of depression and mental illness than almost any other country, and that as Asian countries Westernize their rates of depression increase correspondingly."(p.37) And according to the Illinois State Police, (1999), "one of seven depressed people will commit an act of violence against themselves or others." (p.1) The purpose of this paper is to view and discuss depression and mental illness risk factors associated with violence.
There are many factors linked to teenage depression; however, being a victim of bullying is claimed to be the preeminent motive for the distress of the teen. In fact, an analysis done by the University of Harvard has shown
After reading “The Mind of Those who Kill, and Kill Themselves” by Erica Good. It is descrived, how someone can good from a cherfull person to a violent one. By examining the viewpoints of psychiatrys and mass murderes we try to explain the bieviors and reasons for doing this.As it is many people have a violent way and deside to kill people, and kill themselves.
The regular instances of criminal activities which involves harming or killing someone else (Homicide) or killing oneself (Suicide) is a common occurrence which at many instances can be attributed to some sort of mental disorder. Not all patients having one or another form of mental disorder displays aggressiveness enough that can lead to homicide, or at the other end of spectrum is so overwhelmed with hopelessness that the patient eventually comes to end his/her life. But, there is evidences which indicate that there is increased probability of these occurrences among individuals suffering from a mental disorder.
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