Teens and Depression | YA Beyond

If you have a teenager in your house, you know they
can be moody, sullen, and irritable. From day to day, they can go from being
withdrawn to outright belligerent. So how do we know when our teens are just
being?well?teens, and when they are suffering from something more than normal
hormonal upheaval?

Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the angst with good
friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a
strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but
depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a
teenager?s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or
anger. According to HelpGuide.org( http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm),
despite the fact that depression is highly treatable, only 1 in 5 teens receives
help. Unlike adults who can seek treatment on their own, teens rely on adults
to get them the help that they need.

What to look for in your teen:

Sadness or hopelessness Irritability, anger, or hostility Tearfulness or frequent crying Withdrawal from friends and family Loss of interest in activities Changes in eating and sleeping habits

Restlessness and agitation Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Lack of enthusiasm and motivation Fatigue or lack of energy Difficulty concentrating Thoughts of death or suicide

Although many of these symptoms might be overlooked as ?normal? teen
behavior, if they persist and/or your teen expresses violent or suicidal
tendencies, get help immediately. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Suicide
warning signs in depressed teens

• Talking or joking about committing suicide.
• Saying things like, ?I?d be better off dead,? ?I wish I
  could disappear forever,? or ?There?s no way out.?
• Speaking positively about death or romanticizing dying
  (?If I died, people might love me more?).
• Writing stories and poems about death, dying, or
  suicide.
• Engaging in reckless behavior or having a lot of
  accidents resulting in injury.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for good.
• Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill
  themselves.

Teen suicide is on the rise. This may be due to increased social pressures,
less parental interaction, issues with self-esteem, or even the pervasive sense
of doom in growing up during a time of war and terrorism. Genetics and family
history also play a part and teens with parents who suffer from depression are
more likely to experience mental illness as well. Depression is very damaging
when left untreated, so don?t wait and hope that the symptoms will go away. If
you see depression?s warning signs, seek professional help. All hope is not
lost! Author Patti Blount blogged just yesterday about two teen boys in
Colorado who have started a suicide hotline to reach out to their peers with
help. Very inspirational. http://pattyblount.com/to-tell-a-compelling-story-blog/

For more on this article including ways to encourage your teens to talk
about their depression, and the effects of and treatments for depression, go to

http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm

Feedback? Observations? Concerns?
Comments welcome.

Source: http://www.yabeyond.com/2012/02/10/teens-and-depression/

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