Teenagers are just as susceptible to depression as are people of other ages, but the effects are especially trying. This is a time when there is a large amount of emotional, physical, and psychological change. Dealing with changes as they unfold and depression presents the greatest challenge to a teenager’s development and overall well being.
There are several other causes of teenagers’ depression.
The biological, environmental, and psychological combine to cause teenage depression. Common causes include:
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations at this time can cause mood and emotional instability.
- Genetics: Depression runs in families, so if other people in your family have ever had depression or other mental health issues, you’re more likely to be depressed.
- Social pressures: Feeling isolated can be caused by being bullied, having no one to hang with, or that something is not right about me.
- Academic stress: When you feel like you should do well at school and live up to other people’s expectations… It’s a lot of pressure.
- Traumatic events: The loss of a loved one, a divorce from your parents, or being abused, can act as triggers to depression.
Depression Signs in Teenagers
It’s important to know the signs of depression in teenagers so that you can intervene early. Common symptoms include:
- Sadness and other feelings, along with irritability, that persist
- There is a lack of interest in the things they used to be interested in.
- Feeling hungry or angry, or unusually tired or energetic
- Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Worthless, guilty or hopeless feelings
- The constant withdrawal from family and friends.
- Physical aches and pains that cannot be explained.
- Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
How Depression Affects Teenagers?
If left untreated, depression can have severe consequences on various aspects of a teenager’s life:
Academic Performance:
Depression often impacts memory and concentration so that one’s academic performance goes down. Failure in school only makes those feelings of failure and low self esteem worse.
Social Relationships:
Withdrawal from friends and family and social isolation, can occur with depression. There’s no real connection, and perhaps this is what leads to that vicious cycle of loneliness and depression getting worse.
Physical Health:
In addition, depression can present itself as aches and pains, fatigue, headaches, and problems with digestion. Along with that, teens may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms — like overeating or substance abuse — that might have long-term effects on their health.
Behavioral Issues:
Untreated depression can lead to irresponisble behaviors. But these behaviors may be a way to cope with too many overwhelming emotions. To get help you are advised to start depression counselling in Dubai.
Suicidal Tendencies:
Suicide, a major cause among teenagers is depression. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a serious warning sign — get help immediately.
Addressing Teenage Depression
Then, depression in teenagers can be identified early and treated early. Steps to address this issue include:
- Encouraging open communication: Providing a space that aids in making teens at ease with sharing their thoughts and emotions.
- Seeking professional help: Depression is usually treated with therapy, counseling and sometimes, medication. Therapy such as postpartum depression therapy in Dubai can be effective in dealing with feelings of sadness, lonliness, guilt, and stress.
- Promoting healthy habits: Exercise, good diet, and sufficient sleep will improve mood and general mental health.
- Reducing stress: Reducing pressure can help keep teens focused, on priorities, and managing those responsibilities.
- Raising awareness: Encouraging Depression Education for teenagers and their families, such as knowing the symptoms and effects can encourage them to take proactive measures.
Conclusion
Teenage depression is such a serious concern that requires parents, schools and health care professionals at all levels to pay the needed attention. Knowing what causes it, knowing its signs and its effects, we can help teenagers recover from it and avoid having it in the future, while leading a more healthy and fulfilling life.
