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Depression and its effects in adolescents
Depression and its effects in adolescents
Causes of teenage suicide
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Recommended: Depression and its effects in adolescents
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”).
Adolescence is a period in life marked by emotional,
physical, psychological, and social changes. American teens are continually being influenced through television, school, and by the Internet. Issues such as academic expectations, peer pressure, bullying, poverty, and family life can alter a teen’s mood. For some, the alteration in their mood is more than just a short term feeling. Some teens develop feelings of worthlessness and rejection. Recognizing signs of depression is important, as not every teen who is affected by depression is able to recognize that they are. The symptoms that teens experience are often different from adults. The following are symptoms that may indicate depression (especially when lasting for more than two weeks): any noticeable change in thinking and behavior, withdrawal from normal activities, loss of energy or motivation, poor performance in school, forgetfulness, changes in sleeping and eating habits, complaints of unexplained body pain, or participation in criminal behavior. Helping a teen develop a sense of acceptance by others can be key in avoiding depression. One way to do this is through participation in sports, or any other extracurricular activity. However, no matter the effort taken, depression may still occur. There are several different ways to go about treating depression in teens, but the most recommended options include the following: medication, Psychotherapy , Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Interpersonal therapy(“Depression In Teens”). Teenage depression has no preference of the age, gender, or social status of its victims. No longer should changes in thinking and behavior be an automatic dismal for normal teenage behavior. Teenage depression is a serious issue. October 11th is National Depression Screening Day. Please do not hesitate to help someone who is depressed because your help alone could save their life.
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
Another day sleeping awaywith the minutes slowly passing staring at the ceiling wondering how to escape the outside world.
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.
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.
Recently, a popular TV series “13 Reasons Why,” raised the awareness of suicide and mental health. Suicide and mental health are big deals, since suicide is the “second leading cause of death for ages 12-24,” according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (“Suicide Statistics”). People attempt suicide for various reasons, and mental illness is a significant factor. Consequently, risk factors such as chemical imbalance in the brain, genetic vulnerability, environmental factors, and family relationship intertwine and cause mental illness. Among those mental illnesses, depression is one of the most common and heavily associated with suicide. Depression is difficult to identify among the young people because the symptoms are easily
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.
The feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that accompany depression can fuel a downward spiral of health and self-esteem, which can have potentially deadly results: In one study of teenage suicides, 60 to 70 percent of the teenagers had been diagnosed with a depressive illness prior to their deaths. An alarming 90 percent of the sample had some form of psychiatric diagnosis -- depression, mood disorder, or substance abuse
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.
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.
Suicide happens to the teenagers because of very strong feeling of hopelessness or frustration is terrible to family, friends, and community. People in their circle might be left wondering if they could have done something to prevent that young person from turning to suicide. Suicides among young people continue to be a serious problem. Based on research in 2015, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24 in 2015. It is ranked the
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.
A few weeks ago, I was browsing the internet, and I came across a girl claiming herself a victim of depression. And I recall thinking, you're 14, you have friends, family, you have more than enough clothes, food, basic necessities-what is there to be depressed about in your life? But the more I research and explore into depression, the more I realize what a misinterpreted concept it is to the public world- so today, I will be talking about the less publicized about aspects of teenage depression and what a deadly disease it is.
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.