Teen depression is a matter of international concern as it affects 15 to 20 percent of all teens. Teen depression is a result of genetics, biological, social, and emotional factors. As it is, depressed teens present both behavioral and emotional problems as they try to understand their place in a demanding society. Depressed teens usually display sadness, hopelessness, frustration, and low self-concept. However, various treatment methods such as talk therapy, medications, and depression programs can help to deal with this social issue. Overall parents and caregivers should endeavor to create a warm environment to reduce instances of depression in addition to committing the teens to treatment programs at the onset of depression.
Teen Depression
Teens who make up a huge part of the world population are liable to depression as they are considered as a group in its transitional stage. In essence, teens are individuals who are trying to come to terms with the fact that they are no longer children but rather individuals who are about to become adults. The transition comes against a demanding societal backdrop, which expects them to become responsible yet treats them with suspicion. The rate at which the society expects them to grow up into responsible young adults not only puts pressure on the teens but also makes them susceptible to high depression levels.
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The frequency of Teen Depression
As established, teens are prone to depression following the conflicting and improbable social expectations. As it is, teen depression is a prevalent social issue going by the current statistics. According to Hoerman (2014), it is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the teens in the US may be prone to depression before they reach 18 years. Moreover, it is established that girls are more prone to boys up to two times when it comes to depression mainly to the demanding societal demands. Interestingly, teenagers from all social and economic backgrounds are liable to experiencing depressing. In essence, it does not matter if the teenagers are from rural, suburban, or urban areas, the risk for depression is equal among the teens, which makes teen depression a matter of international concern.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Most parents, caregivers, guardians, and teachers fail to establish that the teens under their care are depressed until it is already late (Sugarman, 2017). However, this needs not be the case as it is possible to establish the onset of teen depression. In essence teen, depression warning signs and symptoms have to do with behavioral and emotional changes. For one a teen who is experiencing depression will tend to be overly sad, present a state of hopelessness as well as becoming irritable, angry, or frustrated even at minor things. Moreover, a depressed teen will lose interest in things that used to be interesting previously. Additionally, it is possible for such teens to either lose or gain weight following a change in eating habits as they try to fight in the demands of life. Furthermore, it is possible for parents and caregivers to establish that teens are prone to depression especially if they experience a shift in the teens sleeping patterns. As it is teens who are undergoing depression may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping for longer. In addition to these symptoms, depressed teens may have trouble sitting still as they are overly restless.
Causes of Teen Depression
Teen depression may be associated with several factors, which are social, genetic, medical or biological. According to Xia (2015), genetics play a crucial role in teen depression as depression can run in families. In essence, teens from such families are more susceptible to depression as compared to those who come from families without a depression history. Hormonal changes have the ability to increase the rate of teen depression. As established, these are individuals who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood a process, which is facilitated to hormones. The hormonal changes usually bring about a change in moods and emotions and if the concerned teens are not treated right then they may fall into depression. Additionally, it is possible for teens to become depressed especially if they have had traumatic experiences in the course of their lives. Some of the traumatic experiences, which fuel teen depression, include bullying, the death of loved ones and abuse.
Treating Teen Depression
There are several treatment options, which are available to help depressed teens get over their depression. The most common of the treatment options is talk therapy, which is also referred to as counseling or psychotherapy. Some of the most common talk therapy types include Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal therapy (IPT). In this case, the counselor helps the depressed teens to understand, accept, and manage their feelings and moods. Consequently, the teens are taught to start viewing their lives in a more positive perspective so that they become more confident and have a better self-image (Diamond, Diamond, and Levy, 2014). Apart from talk therapy, depressed teens can use medicines to deal with the symptoms, which are associated with depression. The most common medicines are antidepressants, which bring down the depression levels. However, in severe cases, the depressed teens should be enrolled in depression programs to get intensified treatment. Here the teens may be assimilated into psychiatric hospitals or become a part of day programs to help them fight off the depression.
Impact of Teen Depression on Academic Achievement
Teens who are going through depressive situations are likely to fall back on their academic achievement. The reason for this is the fact that these teens are no longer in their right mind as they are preoccupied with other issues. Moreover, the depression tends to affect the teen's interpersonal relationships, as they are overly irritable and angry. As such, they are not comfortable around their teachers and colleagues who normally help them in their academics. Additionally, depressed teens may no longer find school interesting, as they would rather be in a different place, which does not require as much effort.
What Parents Can Do
Parents spend more time with the teens and as such, they have a huge role to help the teens prevent or manage their depression. As it is, parents need to understand that teens are prone to depression and from this point work towards helping the teens under their care. For one parent need to create a warm and friendly environment which allows the teens to voice out their fears, dreams, and aspirations without fear of being criticized. Moreover, parents need to be aware of any slight change in the teens’ emotions and behaviors to help reduce cases of teen depression (Radovic, et al., 2015). In case the parents realize that the teens under their care are depressed, it is up to the parents to seek immediate treatment options to deal with the depression.
List of National and Local Organizations that Assist Adolescents Dealing with Depression
Several national and local organizations have stepped up efforts to help adolescents deal with depression. Some of these organizations are as follows:
The Boys Town National Hotline. (800)-448-3000.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 3615 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Mental Health in America 1-800-273
American Association of Suicidology 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW; Suite 310
Suicide Awareness/Voices of Prevention
The Jed Foundation.
The Nine Line. (800) 999-9999.
Covenant Hous crisis counseling for homeless and at-risk children. (Mental Health America, 2018).
In conclusion, teen depression is an issue, which affects at least 15 to 20 percent of teens in spite of their social or economic backgrounds. The society tends to have so much expectation of these individuals who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. The increased societal demands and hormonal changes come in the way of the teens, which may lead to depression. Depressed teenagers are usually more sad, hopeless, frustrated as they lose interest in things and activities which excited them before. Moreover, depressed teens may become more irritable and angry which affects their academic achievements. However, depressed teens can get help through talk therapy, medication, and depression programs found in several national and local organizations. Of importance is the insistence of the role of parents in preventing and managing teenage depression by creating a warm and loving home environment for the teens.
References
Diamond, G. S., Diamond, G. M. & Levy, S. A. (2014). Attachment-based family therapy for depressed adolescents. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Hoerman, E. D. (2014). Depression in children and adolescents: The role of school professionals (Thesis). University of Northern Iowa, Iowa, USA.
Mental Health America. (2018). Depression in teens . Retrieved on 2 October 2018 from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-teens
Radovic, A. (2015). Parents’ role in adolescent depression care: primary care provider perspectives. Journal of Pediatrics, 167(4), 911–918.
Sugarman, J. (2017). The rise of teen depression. John Hopkins Health Review, 4(2).
Xia, L. (2015). The involvement of genes in adolescent depression: A systematic review. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2015(9), 329.
