Human development is a process that lasts a lifetime and includes a series of stages. One of the human development stages is the adolescence. This stage can is defined as a period of transition from childhood into young adulthood. Adolescence begins at puberty and is accompanied by numerous transformations. For some individuals, the transition from puberty to adolescence can be difficult or confusing. Consequently, depression moods and suicidal thoughts are often encountered among adolescents.
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
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The natural transition from childhood to adolescence can also bring conflict between parents and teens who start to assert their independence. In all this change, it is not easy to differentiate between depression and mood swings of a typical teenager. Marked by attitudes of indifference and denial, depression is often confused with a specific stage of adolescence crisis. Moreover, the unique characteristics of adolescence make this period of life is particularly at risk of psychiatric disorders, suffering, and emotional turmoil. All these aspects of adolescence cause a high incidence of suicide attempts, some of which, unfortunately, fatal, without even the possibility of identifying plausible reasons. However, the adolescents’ intentions can be traced to their individual psychological factors and family context, which sometimes support predisposing and precipitating moments. Adolescence is a period when extreme changes occur on social, family, physical, and emotional plan. These changes can make adolescents susceptible to depression and suicidal behaviors. In adolescence, the maiden identity must be abandoned and replaced with a more mature one. It is important that not only adults but also adolescents, know these symptoms related to suicidal behaviors. Often, friends and peers are in the best position to notice these symptoms and save the life of a loved
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.
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), depression occurs in over 26% of adolescents and can lead to morbidity, mortality, and social problems that can last into adulthood (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Signs of adolescent depression can sometimes be different than adults, and possibly harder to identify. It is most often identified as an increase in negative behaviors or somatic complaints such as an upset stomach (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Behavioral changes that are associated with adolescent depression include an increase in irritability, tantrums, anger outbursts, decrease in school performance, and social isolation (SCREENING
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...
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.
Although teenage depression cannot always be prevented, it is up to the health care providers to take simple steps by making a difference. While it may be difficult to distinguish between clinical depression and normal adolescent development, a notable indicator is whether symptoms are all-encompassing or situational. Is there a change in the patient’s behavior and mannerisms? Is there a history of familial depression? Has the depressed episode lasted for weeks? The questions are endless, as is the important need for clinicians to ask them. Adolescent depression does not have to be a lifelong battle, and it certainly does not have to end in suicide.
Major depression in teenagers can be caused by biological issues, traumatic events or learned patterns (Bhatia & Bhatia, 2007). Biological issues that may cause depression in a teenager are caused by differences in the brain where neurotransmitters affect the ability of brain cell communication, therefore, affecting their mood and their behavior. Hormones also play an important role in mood disorders that may lead to depression as well as inherited traits of depression from blood relatives. Traumatic events in early childhood is also a known cause for depression in teenagers due to the fact that children have poor ability to cope with stressful situations such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse which may contribute to depression later on in life. Teenagers can also have episodes of depression by learning patterns of negative thinking from those closest to them instead of learning to find solutions to the challenges they encounter in
Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, mood lability, gloomy introspection, great drama and heightened sensitivity. It is a time of rebellion and behavioral experimentation. The physician's challenge is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimposed on the backdrop of a more transient, but expected, developmental storm.
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.
Adolescence is a period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to maturity. The adolescent is no longer a child, but they haven’t yet reached adulthood. Adolescence is considered people between the ages of 13 and 21. Puberty is the physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction. Puberty is important to adolescence because when a child hits puberty, that’s when the child is becoming an adolescent. Puberty is a big part of an adolescent’s life.
Adolescence is a transition which has no fixed time limits. However, the changes that occur at this time are so significant that it is useful to talk about adolescence as a distinct period of human life cycle. This period ranges from biological changes to changes in behavior and social status, thus making it difficult to specify its limits exactly (Damon, 2008). Adolescence begins with puberty, i.e. a series of physiological changes that lead to full development of the sexual organs and the ability to breed and sex. The time interval that elapses begins at 11 to 12 years and extends to 18 to 20. However we cannot associate to a 13 with one 18 years. Let us talk about early adolescence between 11 to 14 years, which coincides with puberty, and after a second period of youth, or late adolescence between 15-20 years. Its extension to adulthood depends on social, cultural, environmental as well as personal adaptation.
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.
Some psychological disorders can appear during adolescence like depression and anxiety unless parents or family support them. Society can help adolescents during this turbulent time of growth by creating some programs in the schools for all teenagers who do not have support. Even those who have support like family or friends need to know they have someone else they can go talk to and be able express themselves. Adolescent years are very difficult and teenagers need lots of support.
M.A, M. S., Barston, S., Ph.D, J. J., Dumke, M.A, L. F., & Ph.D, J. S. (n.d.). Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Help. Helpguide.org: Understand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
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.