Of all our life stages, the adolescence is by far the most intriguing one. Adolescents usually go through a phase where they reject the norms and want to live by their own rules. With guidance and understanding from parents, this phase is likely to pass smoothly.

But sometimes adolescents feel trapped. They start dealing with depression symptoms that might be too much for them to handle. Close monitoring, support, and professional help are crucial at this stage.

What are the Symptoms of Adolescent Depression?

Teenage depression is a mental disorder that affects adolescents’ emotional, physical and mental well-being. The symptoms are not different from adult one and they may sometimes be extremely severe.

Supporting your child, a Family member or a younger sibling is crucial if they are suffering from such a major depressive disorder. It might be a little bit difficult for an adult or a parent to determine if a teenager has a tendency for depression. The symptoms are usually mistakenly confused with the natural adjustment phase that is a normal part of adolescence.

Being Depressed is more than just acting bored, disinterested or fighting a lot with parents. It has more severe symptoms that should be taken care of before they manifest into a serious condition.

• If a teenager is usually sad, tearful or irritable.
• If you witness major changes in appetite and weight.
• The teenager is becoming less interested in the activities and hobbies they once enjoyed.
• He or she are avoiding social gatherings, prefer to spend their time alone and away from the rest of the family. It is a clear sign that your child is depressed.
• The teenager faces difficulty in concentrating. He or she might start to experience a worsening school performance and academic problems.
• They usually feel guilty, unworthy, helpless and might start to talk about suicide.

These are the most obvious signs. If your child experiences one or some of these symptoms, then you should think about treatment options.

What are the Causes of Adolescent Depression?

The real causes of depression are unknown. Medicine students and people who study psychology may find paper writing help here if they want to study this topic deeper. Determining the real causes can be a bit challenging because adolescents usually go through a lot of hormonal changes that naturally affect their behaviour and feelings.

Traumatic childhood events might lead to teenage depression. Teenagers are usually too young and unable to deal with these problems when they happen. This is why they suppress them which can lead to the development of this condition when they start to question the real causes and reasons for these events.

This state could also be the result of extreme stress. Peer pressure, social pressure, and family pressure can be too much for teens to handle. Some teens get depressed because they feel that they are underachievers. They are usually required to excel at different activities and this may seem like too much for them. Bullying is another major cause of depression. Adolescents who get mocked or made fun of at school can feel extremely depressed. Withdrawal and feeling worthless are usually associated with being bullied by peers. When they are unable to stand for themselves, they will most likely get depressed.

A lot of scholars believe that some people inherit depression from one or both parents. Research proves that if there is a close family member or a parent who suffers from this disease, the kids will most likely feel depressed at some point.

Some people believe that this is a learned behaviour. If parents usually feel helpless, act negatively and are unable to deal with their own problems, they might teach this behaviour to their kids.

How can Adolescent Depression be Treated?

It is very important to seek professional help. Because depression has no single cause, there is no single treatment that can help patients feel better.

There are various treatment options available that can be successfully combined to make patients feel better. Medications can help struggling adolescents feel better. There are a lot of medications available and should the doctor will determine which one has the least side effects and can help teenagers overcome their depressive thoughts.

It is extremely recommended that a teenager meets with a certified mental health specialist. Life shouldn’t be a mystery and these professionals are trained to answer the intriguing questions that teenagers usually ask. Most teenagers will be reluctant to talk because they are shy or extremely uncomfortable to talk about themselves. But they will need time to trust the person they are talking to, otherwise, they won’t share and will still hold secrets.

Talk therapy is very efficient although the first few sessions might not be extremely successful. Cognitive behaviour therapy is meant to address negative thoughts, examine them and replace them with positive ones. The doctor will also offer problem-solving therapy. Most teens feel depressed when they are unable to deal with the problems they face. With the proper guidance, they will feel more empowered to tackle the issues that matter to them.

Family therapy is another route that should be explored. Most of the time, the family members will need group therapy to tackle the problems that are affecting their kids.

A balanced diet can also help teenagers overcome depression. Many medical types of research have proven that unhealthy food that is rich in fats can lead to feeling down and depressed. Exercise is another tool that could help struggling teens. Workout releases hormones that will help the body recover but they also contribute to lifting the mood up.

Depression is manageable and can be treated. Seeking professional help, support and love can help teenagers conquer the condition.

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