Depressed teens may suffer from different forms of depression. First,
there is major depression, dysthmia or reactive depression. In this sort,
one would experience extreme feelings of sadness. Then there?s manic
depression where there are bouts of elation and sadness in a cyclical
manner. Different forms of treatment can be given to depressed teens.
Depressed teens often go on to become depressed college students. A study
by the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that college
students with depression are twice as likely as their classmates to drop
out of school.
Some depressed teens might also exhibit suicidal tendencies, and again,
this has to be given serious concern. Depressed teens need somebody to
listen and reach out to them. Other than being a friend or listening ear
to these teens, you can also encourage them to seek professional help or
counseling.
While some depressed teens appear sad, others do not. In fact,
irritability rather than depression is frequently the predominant
symptom in depressed adolescents and teens. A depressed teenager may be
hostile, grumpy, or easily lose his or her temper. Unexplained aches and
pains are also common symptoms of depression in young people.
Depressed teens generally tend to have a negative opinion of themselves.
They feel they are not up to the mark and can't get there. They might
also avoid all sorts of social contact especially family gatherings and
events. They tend to have lesser or no friends and prefer to be aloof and
stay confined to their rooms.
It's not unusual for depressed teens to act out in some ways that take
their mind off their deep feeling of sadness. They may become sexually
promiscuous, engage in dangerous activities, or start abusing substances.
They do this in order to numb the pain they are feeling, but in reality
they just create new problems and destroy the relationships they have
inside and outside their home.
As the teen moves on from light to moderate depression, the main symptom
is a deep-rooted boredom. He becomes increasingly uninterested in what is
going on around him. He withdraws more and more. Eventually the
depression leads to physical symptoms like headaches and other pains.
Eating habits may be affected - the depressed teen may eat too much or
too little. These physical symptoms often lead to a lack of energy, a
common complaint in depressed teens.Depressed teens are particularly
vulnerable to negative criticism and failure or rejection by peer groups.
They may be consumed with feelings of worthlessness, rejection, and
failure and may suffer from different forms of depression. They are also
more than twice as likely as their peers to abuse or become dependent on
marijuana.