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The Effects of Depression on Teens' Lives

Depression can have a severe effect on teenagers' lives, both in the immediate sense and in long-term impacts. According to eMedTV, depression during the teenage years can affect their lives for years to come, leading to bipolar disorder and suicidal tendencies. Help Guide lists immediate effects as difficulty in school, substance abuse, eating disorders and reckless behavior. Many of these effects arise from a feeling of low self-worth and hopelessness.

  1. Difficulty in School

    • According to Help Guide, depression can cause a drop in grades and disciplinary action at school, as depressed students have a hard time concentrating because sadness occupies most of their thoughts. Students may even start ditching classes or refusing to do schoolwork because they don't see the point and feel hopeless about their education.

    Substance Abuse

    • Substance abuse is often a common effect of depression on teenagers' lives. Teenagers may use drugs in an attempt to escape their feelings of hopelessness. Unfortunately, drugs wreak havoc on teens and often make depression worse.

    Eating Disorders

    • Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders often arise from depression in teenagers. Teenagers may focus on food in an attempt to control an aspect of their lives when they feel out of control, or they may deprive themselves of food because they feel worthless and undeserving.

    Reckless Behavior

    • Reckless behavior, including drinking and drug use, unprotected sex and reckless driving are all common effects of depression on teenagers' lives. Teenagers may engage in these behaviors because they are trying to escape their sad feelings and distract themselves.

    Long-Term Life Effects

    • Teenagers who have depression are 20 to 40 percent more likely to develop bipolar disorder later in life and are five times more likely to attempt suicide than nondepressed teenagers, according to eMedTV. Help Guide lists self-injury as another long-term life effect of depression in teens. Self-injury can cause permanent scarring and disability that can affect the depression sufferer's relationships and employment for the rest of his life.

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