Do you know your uneasy adolescent might be experiencing teen depression? Of course. Teen depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional sadness—it’s a serious problem that affects every aspect of a teenager’s normal life. The negative effects can lead to problems, such as smoking, violence and even suicide. But depression can be treated. So if your teen’s unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks and he or she displays other symptoms of depression, it may be time to seek help from a health doctor.
There are multiple reasons why a teenager might become unhappy. For example, teens can develop feelings of worthlessness over their school performance. And unsatisfied family life can have a major effect on how a teen feels. Sometimes, teen depression may result from environmental stress. But whatever the cause, when friends or family—or things that the teen usually enjoy—don’t help to improve his or her sadness or sense of isolation, there’s a good chance that he or she has teen depression.
There are certain signs when teenagers are suffering from teen depression. Often, kids with teen depression will have a noticeable change in their thinking and behavior. Kids with teen depression may have a change in eating habits. Teenagers are likely to eat too much or not to eat enough for long periods of time, which should not be mistaken for an eating disorder. Parents should distinguish this change from eating disorders.
Changing in sleeping habits is another indication of adolescent depression. All teenagers love to sleep. However, a sudden change in sleep behavior for no good reason is what parents should be paying attention to.
A reduction of favorite activities, such as sports or chatting with friends, is another sign that cannot be neglected. If a teenager loves a sport and during the middle of the season suddenly decides to stop, there is a reason to be concerned about this change.
When teenagers suffer from depression, they easily get annoyed or react badly to negative things. They may become defiant as there is potential depression. The depressed teenagers may get into rude or offensive remarks as well as fighting.
Making statements of despair is another sign. They have no hope for their studies, their life and their future. This is very serious since it is estimated that every year approximately 10 teenagers from every 100,000 commit suicide.
How is it treated? Here are methods, including medications and psychotherapy. Family therapy may be helpful if family conflict is contributing to the depression. The depressed teens will also need support from teachers. Occasionally, hospitalization may be required for teenagers with severe depression.
| Title | Teen Depression |
| 81 | ◆It is a condition that makes teenagers unhappy for a long time and prevents them from living 82 . ◆Teenage depression can cause serious problems. ◆It is important for a teen whose depression symptoms last over two weeks to 83 a health doctor. |
| Reasons | ◆ 84 school performance ◆Unsatisfied family life ◆Environmental stress |
| Phenomena | Changes in behaviours and feelings ◆Teenagers 85 to overeat or eat less for long when suffering from depression, and parents should tell the 86 between this change and an eating disorder. ◆Depressed teenagers change their sleeping habits suddenly 87 a good reason. ◆A teenager who suddenly stops his favorite sport might be depressed. ◆Showing negative 88 to things and becoming defiant. ◆Making offensive remarks and getting into fighting. ◆Depressed teenagers feel hopeless for life, study and future, with some of them even 89 themselves. |
| Solutions | ◆Medications and psychotherapy are common methods. ◆Family or school therapy may also be helpful. ◆Hospitalization for those severe patients is also a(n) 90 . |