Understanding Teenage Depression

Depression is not only occasional sadness. It is a serious health problem that greatly affects all the activities in everyday life, especially if it happens to a teenager. When depression is left untreated, it could lead to problems at home and school or worse, suicide. The adolescent stage is very tough. It is a period of awareness of oneself and everyone else. Bad moods can be expected, but not depression. Depression can lead to an overwhelming sense of despair, worthlessness, anger, and being unappreciated.

Being irritable and having temper tantrums are the usual indications of depression. Depressed teenagers might show grumpiness, hostility and frustration. This can have a negative effect at home. And if worse comes to worst, tragedies like homicidal violence could happen in the family. School is a vital part of a teenager’s life. This is where he or she can grow and develop his or her mind and body. However, depression causes them to feel inferior and have low self-esteem, which could result to low performance and attendance. In school and almost everywhere they go, it may unavoidable that teenagers are with other people – peers, classmates, teachers, etc. Since they have a sense of inferiority, depressed teenagers tend to become insecure and self-loathing. And when spoken to, teenagers may not want to talk about their depression because they might feel that no one could ever understand them. While it has been proven that depression can be cured, roughly only 20 percent of depressed teenagers are treated. If you have a teenager yourself, it is important to know the signs of depression before the sadness becomes out of control.