Teen Depression

Teenage years can be incredibly difficult, and it's perfectly natural to feel depressed or irritable from time to time. However, if these feelings continue or become so strong that you feel helpless and weak, you might be suffering from depression.

Teen depression is much more than feeling depressed or down in the dumps for a short period of time. It's a severe and crippling mood disorder that can alter the way you think, act, and work in everyday life, causing issues at home, school, and in social situations. If you're sad, you may feel helpless and lonely, as if no one understands you. However, teenage depression is much more prevalent than you would expect. Because of the heightened academic demands, social problems, and hormonal shifts that occur during adolescence, one out of every five teenagers suffers from depression. You're not alone, and depression isn't a sign of weakness or a defect in your character.

Even if it feels as if the dark cloud of depression will never lift, there are many things you can do to help yourself cope with symptoms, recover your equilibrium, and feel more optimistic, energetic, and hopeful again.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Teen Depression

It's difficult to put into words how depression feels, because we don't all have the same experience. Depression is characterised by feelings of hopelessness and depression in some adolescents. For others, it's a relentless feeling of rage or agitation, or just a sense of "emptiness." Regardless of how depression affects you, there are some common signs to look out for:

• You're always irritable, sad, or upset.

• Nothing seems enjoyable anymore, even the things you used to enjoy, and you don't see the point in pushing yourself to participate.

• You feel bad about yourself, as though you're unworthy, guilty, or simply "wrong" in some way.

• You either sleep too much or too little.

• To change how you feel, you've turned to alcohol or drugs.

• You're suffering from regular, unexplained headaches or other physical aches and pains.

• It doesn't matter what makes you cry.

• You're a very open person when it comes to criticism.

• You've gained or lost weight.

• You're having trouble focusing, thinking clearly, or recalling details. It's likely that your grades will suffer as a result.

• You're feeling hopeless and powerless.

• You're considering death or suicide. (If that's the case, get in contact with someone right away!)

Risk Factor for Teen Depression

Contrary to common opinion, depression is not caused primarily by a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be treated by medicine. Rather, a mixture of biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to depression. Since adolescence can be a period of great stress and confusion, you're likely to be subjected to a variety of stresses that could exacerbate your depression symptoms. Hormonal shifts, issues at home or school, and concerns about who you are and where you fit in are only a few examples.

If you have a family history of depression or have undergone early childhood trauma, such as the death of a parent or physical or emotional violence, you're more likely to develop depression as a teen.

The following are some of the risk factors that may cause or worsen depression in teenagers:

• Serious disease, chronic pain, or physical disability are all possibilities.

• Anxiety, an eating disorder, a learning disorder, or ADHD

• Abuse with alcohol or other drugs.

• Problems at school or at home.

• Bullying

• PTSD

• Recent traumatic life events, such as parental divorce or a loved one's death.

• Trying to come to terms with your sexual identity in a hostile environment.

• Isolation and a lack of social support

• Spending an unhealthy amount of time on social media.

Overcoming Teen Depression

Speak with a responsible adult.

Depression is not your fault, and you are not to blame for it. You do, however, have some influence of how you feel. The first move is to request assistance.

It may appear that your parents are powerless to help, particularly if they are constantly nagging you or being enraged by your actions. The reality is that parents despise seeing their children in pain. They can be irritated because they don't understand what's going on with you or how to assist you.

It's difficult to talk about how you're feeling, particularly if you're sad, embarrassed, or worthless. It's important to note that many people experience these feelings at some point in their lives—it doesn't mean you're frail, inherently flawed, or unworthy. Accepting your thoughts and sharing them with someone you can trust will make you feel less alone.

People love and care for you, even though it doesn't feel like it right now. If you summon the courage to speak about your depression, it can (and will) be overcome. Some people claim that talking about their negative emotions can make them worse, but this is almost never the case. Sharing your thoughts with someone who would listen and care about what you have to say can be immensely beneficial. They don't have to be able to "fix" you; all they need to do is listen.

Isolating yourself would only make the depression worse.

Many of us retreat into our shells as a result of depression. You do not want to see someone or do something, and getting out of bed in the morning may be challenging on some days. Isolation, on the other hand, exacerbates depression. So, even though it's the last thing on your mind, make an effort to remain social. You'll actually start to feel better when you get out into the world and interact with others.

Adopt positive habits.

Making good lifestyle decisions can have a significant effect on your mood. When it comes to depression, easy measures like eating well, exercising regularly, and having enough sleep have been shown to make a big difference.

Control the anxiety and tension.

For many teenagers, anxiety and stress will coexist with depression. Unrelenting tension, doubts, or fears can deplete your emotional energy, have a negative impact on your physical health, raise your anxiety levels, and cause or worsen depression.

If you have an anxiety disorder, it can show up in a number of ways. Perhaps you have panic attacks that come on unexpectedly, get anxious when you have to talk in class, have uncontrollable, distracting thoughts, or live in a constant state of concern. Since anxiety exacerbates depression (and vice versa), it's important to seek care for both.