We all know how challenging our teenage years can be. Things just aren’t as easy as they were when we were younger. There are many different stressors in our life: family issues, homework overload, relationships, peer pressure, and even coping with our first job.  It is normal to be down in the dumps or just plain irritable now and again.  Though, if these feelings don’t go away or become more than you can bear, you may be suffering from teenage depression.

    Depression in teenagers is more common than people realize.  According to the Center of Mental Health services, 20 percent of teenagers experience depression before adulthood, with 5 percent having a major depressive disorder.  70 percent of these teenagers will suffer with depression more than once prior to adulthood.  A small percentage of teens also suffer from seasonal depression, usually during the winter months.

    The symptoms of depression can be gradual.  You may just start to drift away from the person you recognize.  You do not have to have all the symptoms of depression; if you recognize a few, and they have begun to affect who you are and your daily life,   and they have lasted more than two weeks, you need to seek help.  Here are some symptoms of teenage depression:

*Acting out behavior (missing curfews, skipping school)

    *Unintentional appetite changes or weight changes
   *Criminal behavior (shoplifting)

    *Persistent depressed, sad, or irritable mood

    *Difficulty concentrating

    *Difficulty making decisions

    *Episodes of memory loss

    *Excessive sleeping or daytime sleepiness

    *Anything and everything makes you cry

    *Being physically sick frequently

    *Unexplained headaches or other physical problems

    *Excessively irresponsible behavior

    *Failing relationships with friends and family

    *Falling school performance

    *Fatigue

    *Feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred

    *Loss of interest in usual enjoyable activities

    *Persistent trouble sleeping or staying asleep

    *Obsessive worries about death or suicide

    *Substance abuse (alcohol, marijuana, pain pills)

    *Loss of pleasure in daily activities

    The causes of depression can vary greatly.  Sometimes it is just a normal process of maturing and the stress associated with it.  The influence of sex hormones can cause depression.  The occurrence of depression can also be a reaction to a traumatic experience in a teenager’s life, such as the death of a friend or a relative, a breakup with a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or problems in school.  Some medications can even trigger depression, especially those for acne.

Also, there are certain risk factors that can be involved with teenage depression.  Teenagers, who have low self-esteem, are highly self-critical, and who feel little control over their environment are more likely to become depressed.  Teenage girls are twice as likely as boys to experience depression.  Other risk factors include:

    *History of child abuse

    *Chronic illness

    *Family history of depression

    *Poor social skills

    *Unstable family life

    *Stressful life events

    So, what do you do if you feel like you may be depressed?  First, go to someone you trust; your parents would be a great start.  Although, not all of us have a great relationship with our parents, and in that case try another trusted adult.  This could be a counselor, teacher, minister, or one of your friend’s parents would be great choices.  There are people who care about you and there is always hope.  Depression episodes usually respond to treatment, though, early and appropriate treatment of depression in teenagers may prevent further episodes of depression.

    The treatment requires a visit to a doctor.  First, the doctor will perform an exam and order blood work to rule out other medical causes for your symptoms.  Then he will talk to you about your feelings of sadness and how it is affecting your life.  It is important you are honest with your doctor.  The doctor is not allowed to discuss what you say to him without your permission, and it is critical you get the treatment you need.  If the doctor determines you have depression he will give you an antidepressant medication and refer you to someone who can talk to you about your feelings.

    We all know that times are financially challenging right now.  People are struggling with money and a lot of people are without insurance.  There are resources for you to get the help you need.  You can go online and type in teenagedepression.com and you will find numerous websites that can guide you.  Also, your trusted adult can assist you in finding the help you need. 

    Depression usually responds to treatment.  But, left untreated it can escalate into serious problems.  If you have ever thought about suicide, go to someone immediately, today!  Do not wait!  Never, ever take thoughts of suicide or someone talking about suicide lightly.  This is usually the first sign of someone actually attempting suicide.  People get down and very sad and see no hope, then they take something they can’t get back, their life.  The phone number for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is 323-4433.  There is also a 24 hour/7 days a week Suicide Hotline and that number is 1-800-273-8255. There is hope, people do care, get help today.