Preview

The Causes of Depression in Young Adolescents Essay Example

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
910 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Causes of Depression in Young Adolescents Essay Example
Teenage depression is getting more and more common. Many of young adults get into depression, as early as 13 to 15 years old. Because they hide their feelings, they are not usually diagnosed for it and that causes them to carry this depression until they are adults. This could be very frightening and life threatening to some people. Depression is a disorder or illness that involves many parts of a person's life. Depression in children is usually overlooked. Some children, when depressed, pretend to be sick and refuse to go to school. Teenagers will get into trouble at school, be in bad moods, or be very negative. Depression is a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. For most teenagers, depression is a cause of low self-esteem from not being popular, but for others it is from poor family relations such as not having any family support or being rejected by them, or for some its because of some medical problems or disorder.
Depression can be expressed through many symptoms. A common symptom is a empty view of life. Life seems meaningless, and nothing good will ever happen. Another symptom is constant crying for no particular reason. When teenager is depressed they don't feel like doing a lot of the things that they used to like. Such as music, sports, being with friends, and going out. They want to be left alone most of the time. Also, it is hard for them to make up their mind when it comes to making decisions. Unlike adult depression, symptoms of youth depression are often masked. Instead of expressing sadness, teenagers may express boredom and irritability, or may choose to engage in risky behaviors . Mood disorders are often accompanied by other psychological problems such as eating disorders, lack of sleep, alcoholism, and suicide. All of which can hide depressive symptoms.
One of the biggest issues for teens is fitting in. They want to be accepted and there is a fear of being alone

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    It can lead some teen to slices. The symptom of depression is sad, angry and irritable. After I read the book, Catcher in the rye”, I learned that depression of teen is the same as now. For my own experience, I have been depressed about college and what I should do with my life. I depress with the college financial because I think high education is important for my future. I am deeply thinking about this issue which sometimes lead me to depress. Depression still happens in this day. The depression symptom of the teen is being lonely, losing family and using…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Mental Health America wrote an informative article on the forces that can cause depression. “When adolescents are depressed, they have a tough time believing that their outlook can improve. But professional treatment can have a dramatic impact on their lives. It can put them back on track and bring them hope for the future.” (Mental Health America). Depression is serious and, if it is left untreated, can worsen to the point of becoming life-threatening. There are many treatments such as psychotherapy, which provides teens an opportunity to explore events and feelings that are painful to them; it teaches them coping skills. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teens change negative patterns of thinking and…

    • 1194 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Depressive disorders during youth occur frequently. During childhood there are an estimated one to two percent of children between the ages of six and twelve that have a Major depressive disorder. That rate changes to two to five percent in adolescents or ages thirteen to eighteen. Fourteen to twenty five percent of youth experiences at least one episode of major depression before adulthood. Depression has been diagnosed at a much higher rate than in the past few decades. Episodes of major depression will reoccur within a five year time period. Depression is often combined with anxiety disorders, dysthymia, disruptive disorders and, or substance abuse and is associated with increased risk taking behavior that could lead to sexual transmitted infections or pregnancy. Depression in youth can last for several months and is often circular and returns. Some studies show that many adolescents that have depression grow up to be depressed adults. The lack of care and identification of depression from pre-adolescent depression is also a factor the leads to adult depression. Some researchers suggest that the care given to a child while transitioning into adulthood is not consistent so there is a loss in continuity from child to adult depression. Other data suggest that children with major depression continue to experience high rates of depression into adulthood and through out there lives. Many youth that have depression often have substantial impairment in social functioning, including poor school achievement and problems with both family and peers. Depressed youth also have a higher rate of suicide. Other psychosocial impairment growths with increasing severity of depression; however, even minor depression is associated with much social impairment. Although in many cases depression in youth will be recognized and treated, there are still fewer than half of youths with major…

    • 1161 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ms.Stevie Cuffan

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Changes in emotions are a massive destruction in a teenager’s life. When you are a teenager you are trying to find yourself in this huge place we called the world. Being depressed as a teen is a major…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Depression is a mental disorder often caused by the chemical imbalance of the brain. The symptoms vary from person to person when their diagnosed with depression. The symptoms are feeling hopeless and helpless, a lack of self-esteem, find everything less enjoyable, difficulty making decisions, having suicidal thoughts and harming one self and etc.…

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Some teens worry about sexuality and relationships, wondering if their feelings and attractions are normal, or if they will be loved and accepted. Others struggle with body image and eating problems; trying to reach an impossible ideal leaves them feeling bad about themselves. Some teens have learning problems or attention problems that make it hard for them to succeed in school. They may feel disappointed in themselves or feel they are a disappointment to…

    • 2005 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that may be a normal reaction to life events or circumstances, a symptom of some medical conditions, a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments, or a symptom of certain psychiatric syndromes such as the mood disorders major depressive disorder and dysthymia. Depression in childhood and adolescence may be similar to adult major depressive disorder, although young sufferers may exhibit increased irritability or aggressive and self-destructive behaviors, rather than the all-encompassing sadness associated with adult forms of depression Children who are under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning, behavioral, or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for…

    • 1695 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Instead of seeing depression as a dysfunction,it is a functioning phenomenon.It stops you cold,sets you down and makes you miserable¨.(James Hileman). Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. Some issues that persist to affect it include peer pressure, academic expectations and body changes these things can bring a lot of ups and downs for some those feelings stay longer than others some of those feelings are not temporary. While depression can be temporary the responses to it vary upon the situational stressors including maturation, hormonal changes and independence, Conflicts with parents and school can also be one of these situational stressors. It affects how you will think,feel,behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Holden and Depression

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Some causes of teen depression are abuse or conflict at home, being bullied at school, chronic illness, family history of depression, hormonal changes, low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and stressful life events (a break-up, divorce, death of a loved one, etc.). Symptoms of depression include agitation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, apathy, and loss of interest in daily activities and hobbies. Symptoms also include change in personality, changes in appetite accompanied by weight fluctuations, constant fatigue and lack of energy. Also, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, low self-esteem, sadness and suicidal thoughts. There are additional symptoms not observed in adults with depression. This includes sleep disturbances, cutting or other forms of self-harm, eating disorders, isolation from family and friends, poor performance at school or work, substance abuse, and violent and/or criminal behavior. Anyone suffering from depression can also suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and diarrhea that do not respond to regular…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Foster Care Experience

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Depression in a teenager can impair their ability to learn and connect with peers when in fact it is an important time period for their academic achievement and social growth. As a teacher, I have the ability to act as an essential part of my students support network. But doing so is easier said than done. It requires a deep understanding of many faces of depression and the strategies involved. I have been through tough times at my age as well so I can take that and turn it around into something great by helping my students realize that they are not alone. As a teacher I need to be able to recognize the signs of depression right away and act in a supporting manner. As Dustin explained it affected his grades first. I promise to myself that as a teacher that could possibly be dealing with this that I will check in regularly with the student to drive home the idea that someone does care about them and they are not alone. I could check in with them personally after school or lunch or over email whatever is convenient for them. My most important job is to develop a relationship with these students. By doing so I will express unconditional support, avoid singling out the students for criticism, being specific in providing feedback, and using positive reinforcement. I will aid their educational aid emotional development by encouraging them to draw or even doing something as simple as lowering…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Feeling lost, scared, worthless, and fighting a war inside your skull against yourself; who will win today is the first thought in the morning. This is what depression feels like and some seem to think that teens who do feel like are just going through a phase that they will grow out of it. “In the U.S. the 3rd leading cause of death among ages 10-24 is suicide.” (NAMI) We have an epidemic on our hands and no one knows it or wants to admit. What happens when everyone stays quiet and no one wants to admit something is really wrong and it is a little too late for the group of teens that become another number to add to the body count.…

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Depression, according to the American Psychiatric Association, is a “serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.” Depression is a result of changes in your brain’s chemical makeup. Other factors, including genetics, stress or changes of hormone levels can all contribute to depression. Everyone experiences this illness differently and there…

    • 917 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Childhood Depression

    • 3056 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Most adults and many children and adolescents have a few bad days here and there, sometimes three or four in a row. When this happens, your mood is bad, you feel like jumping on people for nothing. You sleep, but you do not rest. You eat, but you are not hungry. Your life is one big chore. Everything that was fun is work and what usually is work is like walking with lead boots. Often you have stomach aches, headaches, aching, dizziness and other symptoms, but the doctors can not find anything wrong. When family and friends want to talk, you do not listen. If you can, you stay alone and wish they would all just go away. And you think about what you have got to do, and you wish you could put it off for ever. And about what you have done, and about what could go wrong, and how you could never live like this for 30 more years.…

    • 3056 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are nine main causes of depression such as abuse, certain medications conflicts, death or loss, genetics, major events, other personal problems, serious illness and substance abuse. Abuse is physical, sexual or emotional and they can cause depression later in life. The nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression. Depression can be hereditary in families. If you have a family history of depression, you are more likely to get depression yourself. Many people with no family history can become depressed, so genes are not the single cause of depression. Those who suffer a serious illness and experience a stressful life event tend to feel depressed. Difficult life events such as parent’s divorce, separation, and death can lead to depression. A lot teenagers get depressed for events like moving or changing schools. Not getting along well with friends, colleagues and partners may cause depression. If a person’s relationship with their partner breaks down, they are likely to feel down. They might stop socializing with friends and family and could start drinking, smoking or drugs, all of which can make them feel even worse, and trigger depression.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    teen depression

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The first step to learn about depression is to understand the illness. Why do people get Depressed? There is no single cause for depression. According to teenshealth.org “Many things play a role in depression, including inherited traits from family members who may have had depression, or living in a difficult family or social environment. Depression also involves the balance of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain ,neurotransmitters, that affect the mood. There is no set level of intensity with this illness, but many different forms of it. The most common three are as follows: Manic Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Minor Disorders(athealth.com).Manic Depressive Disorder, or bipolar disease, is one of the strongest forms of depression. It is an illness that affects over 1.2 percent of the American population. Bipolar disease changes emotions, appetite and energy levels at rapid, random rates (athealth.com). Major Depressive Disorder, or clinical depression, is the most common, and least treated type of depression. A person with this disorder experiences significant weight loss or increase, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, insecurity and random depressive episodes involving thoughts of…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays