Why do Teens get depression?

There are multiple reasons why a teenager or a young adult might become depressed. For example, teens can develop feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy over their grades. School performance, social status with peers, sexual orientation, or family life can each have a major effect on how a teen feels. Sometimes, teen depression may result from environmental stress. But whatever the cause, when friends or family or things that the teen usually enjoys don t help to improve his or her sadness or sense of isolation, there s a good chance that he or she has teen depression.

500,000 teens attempt suicide every year with 5,000 actually succeeding. If you are a teen or you know a teenager whose unhappiness lasts for more than a week or displays other symptoms of depression, seek help from a health professional immediately.

What are the symptoms of teen depression?

You will first see a noticeable change in their thinking and behavior. They may also lose their motivation, become withdrawn, closing their bedroom door after school and staying in their room for hours. You may also notice excessive sleep, change in eating habits or behaviors such as drug use, DUI or shoplifting.

Here are more signs of teen depression:

• apathy
• complaints of pains, including headaches, stomach aches, low back pain, or fatigue
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty making decisions
• excessive or inappropriate guilt
• irresponsible behavior -- for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes, skipping school
• loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
• memory loss
• preoccupation with death and dying
• rebellious behavior
• sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness
• staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
• sudden drop in grades
• use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
• withdrawal from friends

If you are a teen or young adult that is struggling with depression be confident that you are not alone. There is plenty of help and support to get you over this hurdle if you have just a little courage to reach out and get it.

Please know you are in good company. If you take the time you will find people just like you, even people you may not know, that would love the opportunity to help you get through this challenge. Thanks for trying and we know in turn, given the chance, you will help someone just like you in the future. You will be inspired and glad you did.