Teen Depression And Teen Suicide

How would one describe a teenager? When adults are asked this question, their response usually consists of something along the lines of loud, irresponsible, careless kids whose main goal is to have fun and make memories. If teenagers were asked this same question, their responses would most likely be drastically different. They might describe themselves as being a tired, depressed, overworked kid who can never be good enough for anyone. Why do teenagers have this mentality? This complex question has a simple answer. Depression. Teen depression affects teenagers all around the globe. Some many different causes and symptoms occur when dealing with depression. Even though depression is a severe disorder, treatment is effective in curing the symptoms.

Depression is defined as feelings of hopelessness and sadness. While depression is a common medical condition, especially in teens, it can be an incredibly serious disease to live with. According to an article titled Parents Guide to Teen Depression, it is estimated that one in five adolescents from all walks of life will suffer from depression at some point during their teen years (Smith, Robinson, and Segal, 2019). That is 20% of all teens. Depression affects the way a person thinks, feels, and goes about a day. Every teenager has ups and downs in their life, but depression causes a constant down feeling. There is a continuous and unrelenting feeling of sadness and worthlessness that is associated with depression. Interest in activities or hobbies becomes nonexistent when a teen has depression. Teens have the struggle of trying to fit in with their peers and do well in school, and sometimes all of that stress is too much to handle. Depression is not simply a lack of strength or weakness, and it can’t be beaten with pure self-discipline. It is a true disease that takes time and commitment to overcome.

There are many different types of depression. Major depression is experienced when a person feels depressed for a majority of the week. The persistent depressive disorder occurs when a person has been diagnosed with depression for at least two years. Bipolar disorder is another type of depression, which is sometimes referred to as a manic depression. People with this disorder have sporadic mood changes that range from moments of happy thoughts to moments of depressing thoughts. The seasonal affective disorder is the result of not getting enough sunlight, so it typically appears in the winter months. This type of depression usually goes away during the spring and summer months. People with psychotic depression experience the same symptoms as major depression, but they also experience psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions. Peripartum depression, or postpartum depression, occurs after a woman has had a child. Situational depression can happen when a person is put in a particular situation. This situation is usually traumatic of some sort, like the death of a loved one or a divorce. No matter what the type, it is obvious that depression affects a person's day-to-day life.

So what is the cause of depression? It’s not exactly known what causes depression, but a variety of issues are involved. The chemical makeup of the brain can cause depression. According to the Mayo Clinic (2018), “Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When these chemicals are abnormal or impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems changes, leading to depression.” Nerve cell growth and certain nerve cell connections have an impact on depression. If nerve connections are off in the areas of the brain that control mood, thoughts, and perceptions of life, depression can occur. Hormone imbalances may also be a cause of depression. An imbalance in the hormones of the thyroid gland specifically can trigger depression.

Another theory of the cause of depression is genetics. Depression is more common in people whose relatives also had the condition. A study was conducted on twins to prove that depression can be passed down from generation to generation. Identical twins share identical genes, whereas fraternal twins share only about 50 percent of their genes. Researchers found that when one identical twin is depressed, the other twin has a 76 percent chance of also having the disorder. With fraternal twins, or siblings in general, when one is depressed, the other only has a 19 percent chance of also being depressed. (Biology of Depression, 2015). This study clearly shows that genes affect whether a person will have depression or not.

Other known risk factors can trigger depression. Having issues with obesity, peer pressure, or other negative issues that affect self-esteem can cause depression. Certain mental conditions like anxiety or anorexia have also been known to trigger depression. A person who has experienced traumatic events in their life can develop depression. Some of these traumatic experiences can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or the death of a loved one.

Teen depression is a disease that has many symptoms, some of which could be life-threatening. Teens with depression may experience mental and physical symptoms of depression. Some symptoms that affect the mind are feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and emptiness. Anxiety and decreased energy are also symptoms. This decreased energy can cause a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, like sports or hanging out with friends. Concentration and memory problems are also known to arise. This causes difficulties in school. Some common physical symptoms of depression are weight loss or weight gain, and a loss in appetite.

The main problem that is caused by depression is suicidal thoughts or actions. According to an article titled Depression and Suicide, suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. A major cause of suicide is mental illness, commonly depression (UC Santa Cruz, 2018). Teens with depression tend to look for a way out and feel that suicide is the answer. What they don’t realize is that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem or decision. Anyone can be a victim of suicide, but certain factors increase the chances of suicide in teens. Some of these include a previous suicide attempt, an increase in suicides in the community, or a recent loss, either of a loved one or a job. Another factor includes alcohol or drug abuse. No matter the state of mind that a suicidal person is in, they can always be helped.

A doctor or physician has to diagnose depression. The diagnosis happens after different tests have been conducted on the patient. A simple physical exam might be all that is needed to diagnose a patient. Lab tests are also useful in helping to diagnose depression. The lab tests generally test for problems with the thyroid, as that can cause depression. A mental health evaluation is often conducted on a person with possible depression. This can consist of questions about one’s behavior and mood, and a questionnaire is often administered.

Fortunately, there are treatments available for depression. Depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. According to The American Psychiatric Association (2017), between 80 and 90 percent of people eventually respond well to treatment. Even those who don’t respond particularly well usually gain at least some relief from their symptoms. The most common forms of treatment are medication and therapy. Medication can be used to balance the chemicals in the brain. These medications are called antidepressants. A doctor prescribes the correct dose for the individual patient. But these medications need to be taken cautiously, because they can have dangerous side effects, like increased suicidal thoughts. Another treatment that is available for people with depression is psychotherapy, or talk therapy. Talk therapy is exactly how it sounds. It consists of multiple therapy sessions where a therapist and a patient discuss problems that the patient is having. It can be in a group setting or an individual setting. Group therapy involves people with similar mental illnesses.

There are many things that people can do to help lessen the symptoms of their depression. Exercise is beneficial to those with depression because it releases “feel-good” hormones, like dopamine and serotonin. Exercising also creates positive feelings and can enhance a person’s mood. Getting good quality sleep every night and maintaining a regular, healthy diet can also help to reduce depression symptoms.

Depression is a common disease that if left untreated could be life-threatening. It can impair a person’s everyday life. There are many different types of depression and many symptoms, but fortunately, most can be treated. Many teens who experience depression want help, but don’t know how to ask. Depression is not something to mess with and should be taken seriously.