Effects of Teenage Depression

Parents may feel their teenagers are purposely acting out to make a statement or gain their attention when in fact these are signs of depression. Below are a few effects that teens may do when suffering from depression.

• Substance abuse: When a teen doesn't know why they are feeling sadness, anxiety, or helplessness, many turn to using drugs or alcohol to get rid of the pain.

• Unworthiness: Self-esteem becomes low and depression can bring stronger negative feelings about body image and self-worth.

• Dieting: Better known as an eating disorder, depressed teens can suffer from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or constantly dieting.

• Exercising: Although exercise is great for our bodies, when a teen seems to be over exercising and pushing their bodies to the limit, this can be a sign of depression.

• Self inflictive pain: There are many forms of self injuring your body. A few common coping mechanisms associated with teen depression are cutting, burning, and banging of the head.

• Dramatics: Teenagers suffering from depression can show anxiety, anger, and participate in risky behaviors which could cause serious injury or death. The opposite can occur as well where the depressed teen always seems sad and non-responsive.

• Suicide: A teenager who is seriously depressed will make attempts at suicide. This will be spoken, thought, or attempted. Whenever any indication of suicidal thoughts occurs, immediate attention needs to be given to the teen and help sought.

Anxiety and Teenage Depression

Teenage depression is a common illness but the different form it takes on sometimes depends upon the childhood environment. Anxiety is one of the common forms of depression. It can occur from genetics or from the environment a teen experienced throughout their life.

Some teenagers who suffer from anxiety had childhood stress brought on by:

• Stressed out and neglected parents

• Expectations of high grades

• Childhood abuse

• Constant tension within the home

• Family responsibilities

• Emotionally unavailable parents

Due to these factors, the teenager never fully learned the proper ways to deal with their emotions. Remember, children intimidate what their parents do and when a child sees how a parent handles their problems, the child (who is now a teenager), follows the same approach.

Alternative Treatments for Adult Depression

Adults suffering from depression can use alternative treatments besides prescription medications. Alternative or complimentary medicine comes from the Eastern world and treats the entire body and mind as one and not separate body parts. They believe if the mind is not well, then the entire bodies energy is not flowing properly.

Some alternative treatment options for adults suffering from depression are:

• Acupuncture – Certain points of the body or Meridians are slightly pinched with small, steel, thin needles while relaxing.
• Chiropractic care – The aligning of the body starting from the head down to the feet.
• Massage therapy – Allows relaxation of the body and mind together and getting rid of toxins which can cause infections by breaking up the nodes where tension sits.
• Chelation – The distribution of vitamins and supplements given to the body through an IV.
• Balancing of vitamins, supplements, and diet – Keeping the body chemicals balanced.
• Allergies – There are theories that adults suffering from depression are affected by wheat, sugar, milk, and yeast products. Also, sensitivity to smells like perfumes, cleaning products, or plastics can also cause a depression episode.

Each adult has to find which treatment works best for them; many times it could be a combination of alternative medicine and prescription drugs. Consult a therapist who is familiar with the different treatments for depression in adults.

Symptoms of a Depressed Teen

Although depression of adults is widely spoken about, what about teenage depression? Many of the issues teens face everyday can be difficult from family problems at home to difficulty concentrating in school.

Some symptoms of teenage depression may help you recognize if your teenager is suffering and struggling with depression.

• Eating and sleeping habits begin to change: Some examples of eating habits could be eating too much or not eating enough; the same for sleeping.

• Weight gain or weigh loss: If the body is not getting the proper nutrients and enough sleep, then the teenager will begin to show a significant change in weight.

• Focus problems: If your teen is experiencing a lack of concentration and forgetfulness, this can cause school grades to drop.

• Overreaction and lack of patience: Sometimes the slightest criticism can set a teenager off but if it is consistently occurring, seeking professional help is recommended.

• Complaints about feeling sick with no physical symptoms: Teenagers, just like adults, can feel physically sick from depression. Nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and body pain can all be signs they may be suffering from depression.

Signs of a Teenager Using Drugs

The misguided feelings of a teenager coping with depression can bring on behavior that many parents would never think of. When a teenager feels there is no one to talk to about their thoughts and feelings, many will seek out alternative ways over finding a supportive person to speak with.

One of the most common drugs depressed teenagers use is Marijuana. Other names for this drug are weed, pot, ganga, Mary Jane, or reefer. Pot can be smoked or eaten to experience the affects the teen desires to forget about their problems.

Parents can look for certain products like cigarette rolling papers, a pipe or bowl with filters, a water bong, or a DIY bong (made from soda bottles or piping).

Teenagers suffering from depression who have used Marijuana will think they can trick their parents into not thinking they are on drugs. Many will act normal and try to hold conversations as if they were fully sober.

Some physical signs a parent can look for if they suspect their teenager is abusing drugs:

• Pupils are dilated
• Cigarette rolling papers
• Smell on clothing, hair, in room, or in car
• Eyes are bloodshot
• Laziness and no motivation
• Less coordination

Genetics and Teen Depression

During the teenage years, it is known many teens go through changes due to their hormones. Sometimes depression is not figured out right away by the family members. If depression runs in your family history, making your teenager aware of the sickness is suggested.

Discussing the symptoms, causes, and effects from depression allows the teen to realize if the symptoms do occur it is safe to speak with you about what they are feeling. Parents who explain to their teenagers about their genetics and family history of mental illness are understanding and open to discussing depression. Just like a physical sickness like Cancer which is passed through genetics, depression needs to be treated the same way.

By parents being open and explaining to your teenagers about depression, the more your teenagers will feel comfortable to come speak with you if they begin to find these feelings taking over their thoughts.

Learning about Depression

Although depression is not a physical illness, it is one of the leading sicknesses in the world. The illness affects the mind and body chemistry which can cause both emotional and physical symptoms to the sufferer.

There are many journals written about depression and your basic psychology book can give the explanations of the different types of depressions. The APA is a medical resource to learn in depth details about Depression.

Why to Teach Children about Depression

One of the hardest things to explain to a child is a mental illness. We are taught at a young age that when we hurt ourselves, like a broken bone or a cut, we fix it with a band aid or cast. But what about when a parent is suffering from depression and the child experiences a change but doesn't see the “boo boo?”

Support groups have information to help a child understand about mental illness and how the change in the parent is never the child's fault.
If you are in a situation where your spouse is suffering from depression and your children are noticing a change, teaching and educating your children is the best thing you can do. The sooner a child understands about their parent's sickness, the less they blame themselves.