Adolescent Depression



January 2022

Depression is genetic can start in childhood but generally begins to show itself in preschool years or puberty highlighting between the ages of 19 and 20 when they can be diagnosed and treated.

There are environmental factors that exacerbate pre-existing emotional problems generally accompanied by learning challenges.

Teenagers today as we know face many challenges from Covid and other health issues, to climate, to dealing with dysfunctional parents, being bullied, substance abuse and on and on.

Unable to find a job or afford college many teenagers drop out, stay home, or get involved in illegal activities to make money. The suicide rate is up.

It's a crazy upside down world that is broken which everybody knows. We can only hope that our teens find some solutions and ways of dealing with a growing trend of dysfunctionality that face them today.




Triggers of adolescent depression

child abuse - both physical and sexual

death of someone they love

loss or betrayal by a trusted friendship

low self-esteem

bullying or harassment at school or somewhere else

failure at schoolwork

feel little control over negative events

lack of social skills

learning disabilities

long-term illness

stressful life events, such as the loss of a parent to death or divorce




Behavior patterns may include:

sadness, discouragement, and a loss of self-worth and interest in their usual activities

withdrawal and minimal communication

appetite changes -- usually a loss of appetite but sometimes an increase hence the overweight teen

eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia)

fatigue

anxiety disorders

lying

failure to do school work as depression leaves the brain unfocused

memory loss

difficulty making decisions and concentration

thoughts of suicide or death (often depicted in art work or poetry)

trouble sleeping, too much sleeping, or daytime sleepiness

acting out

substance abuse (self-medication)

feeling worthless, hopeless, sad, or self-hatred

criminal behavior such as shoplifting, selling drugs

self-mutilation

many body perchings

strange hair dye

tattoos

pulling away from family and friends, spending more time alone

feelings of not belonging here, not connected, from another plac





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