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Depression & Its Effect on Youth

Depression is experienced by everyone to some degree. It ranges in severity from "the blues" to Major Depressive Disorder, a mental illness characterized by at least two weeks of persistent symptoms such as changes in sleeping and eating habits, feelings of hopelessness and lack of pleasure in activities once found enjoyable. Depression can affect sufferers in different ways, depending on individual body chemistry, age and life stresses.

  1. Life Stresses

    • Various situations or transitions in life can spark an episode of depression. For adolescents, these events may include starting a new school, struggling with assignments, being the victim of bullying, and family problems such as a death or divorce.

    Perspective

    • Whereas most adults have lived long enough to know that feelings change constantly, many teens believe that whatever they feel in a given moment will last forever. Therefore, when kids are experiencing the symptoms of depression, they often have a skewed perspective, believing that they will never feel better again. This mindset can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

    Hormones

    • There are various points in each person's life when depression may be more common. These points often include hormonal transitions such as after a woman has had a baby or during menopause. Adolescents are also experiencing changes in their bodies and hormones, leading to a greater risk of depressive feelings.

    Coping Skills

    • Many kids have not developed the positive coping skills needed to combat depression. Instead, they may turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their negative feelings, and this can exacerbate the depressive symptoms.

    Clues

    • In order to determine whether your teenager is depressed, pay attention to any clues. Kids who are depressed may have a preoccupation with death or violent TV shows and movies. They may withdraw from social activities and start failing classes at school. They may also engage in high-risk behaviors such as driving too fast or cutting or burning themselves.

    Help

    • If your child is depressed, it is important to get help quickly. Call a medical doctor and arrange for a complete physical to be done. Call a counselor as well so that your child can process through negative feelings and learn positive coping skills. If you believe your child is suicidal and in imminent danger, call the police and ask for assistance.

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