Teenage Depression

Understanding and coping with Teenage depression

Teenage depression is a debilitating condition that can strike any young person and is a lot more common than people think. Although teenage depression can have a lot of the same causes as depression in older people there are specific events and factors in the life of a teenager that can trigger depression and the following will hopefully provide you with some insight into those causes.

School is something that every teenager has to go through and it can be stressful at the best of times. Who amongst us after all has not woken up in a cold sweat fearing that we have not studied for that those important test years after we have left school years?

Teenage depression may manifest itself from a variety of different causes that are school related. Teenagers may not be performing academically and may feel pressured by parents or teachers to get better grades. This can lead to painful thoughts of inadequacy which are ultimately driven by feelings of aloneness and being rejected which can drive depression.

What can really help with this type of teenage depression is for the parents to sit down with the child and explain to them that they will be loved no matter what their grades are and that their self worth is not tied to any results that get. They should also encourage them to pursue a path in life where their talents lie so they can feel fulfilled.

Another cause of teenage depression that is school related can stem from the isolation that children feel at school when they are bullied and rejected by their peers. With the advent of social media this type of thing has hit the headlines recently as the bullying can take on a whole new level when it hits face book and bebo. Building up a Childs self esteem at home and providing them with a trusted forum at home to talk about how they are feeling and the trouble that they are having can make things easier for the child here.

When we are growing up the home provides a safe haven for us emotionally and when there is trouble in the home such as a divorce this can also lead to teenage depression. Sometimes the child will blame themselves for the breakup in the relationship and they may also feel pressured and pulled in different directions emotionally by the two parents. Some children will come through the experience with no problems whereas other children may develop emotional issues like depression.

Parents should make sure that they are communicating openly and effectively with their children during times like this and that they are giving children choices that empower them. It’s also important for the children to understand that none of what is happening is their fault as this attitude can lead to problems later on. The fact that they are in no way to blame and that they are much loved is something that the parent should stress over and over again during a divorce period.

Depression in teenagers will ultimately mirror the symptoms of depression in older people and the same symptoms of apathy, worthlessness and general sad feelings will occur to different degrees. There may also be a disruption in sleeping patterns, overeating or under eating and the teenager may isolate them.

Teenage depression can however be treated very effectively if there is adequate care and attention given to the teenager and the right support is provided at the right time. Providing an open loving and accepting environment and intervening if you are concerned is key to dealing with this issue.

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