Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you!
I’m back on track today discussing issues that affect young adults. Today I wanted to touch on a topic that affects many people, but it’s especially tricky to spot in teenagers. That issue is depression.
According to Familyfirstaid.org, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. I don’t know about you, but I found this statistic staggering!
The most common cause of suicide is depression. That being said, I’m deducing that since suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teenagers that many teens are depressed, but only 1 in 5 teenagers receive help for this ailment. So, my theory is that if we start treating the depression in our young people the suicide rate will drop.
According to Helpguide.org, occasional bad moods and acting out is normal for teens as they go through puberty and try to find their place in the world. This behavior can look like depression, but it’s not. Depression is different. It causes an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.
So how can you tell if your teen is going through the regular teenage angst that all teens go through or if what he/she is experiencing is depression? This is a very good question.
Again, according to Helpguide.org, the answer is the length of time the symptoms have been present and the severity of the symptoms. Long lasting changes in mood, personality, and behavior are all red flags to a deeper problem.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depression. You can find them all at Helpguide.org.
- Sadness or Hopelessness
- Irritability, anger, or hostility
- Tearfulness or Frequent crying
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Restlessness and agitation
- Loss of Interest in Activities
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Lack of Enthusiasm or motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
What can you do if you suspect your teen is depressed?
- Offer support- Let your teenager know you’re there for them.
- Be gentle but persistent- Don’t give up if your teen shuts you out at first.
- Listen without lecturing- Resist any urge to criticize or judge once your teen decides to talk
- Validate Feelings- Acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling
Getting treatment for Teen Depression
Take your child to your family physician and get a complete physical. Make sure you explain your teenager’s symptoms of depression.
Seek out a Depression Specialist
If your family physician does not find any health issues causing your teen’s depression then speak with a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in adolescence, and then listen to the advice of your counselor.
Teen depression is a serious situation, but there is help out there. You can visit Helpguide.org for more information, and I want to thank them for the valuable information used in this post.
If you have any insight into this issue please leave a comment. It may help someone who is suffering from depression. Thanks so much for stopping by today.
