How to Recognize Depression in Teens

By: Steven Ross

This article will deal with the very serious subject of depression in teens. The fact is that each year 4% of all teenagers suffer from a serious depression which will require help from a professional.

While feeling sad is a healthy feeling, prolonged sadness without recovery leads to depression. If your teen is depressed, you will most likely find they will have problems with school work, relationships with friends and family, and engage in potentially harmful actions like drug use and unprotected sex.

The proper resources are available, however, to treat depression in teens. But depression in teens in the United States goes untreated, in most cases. It's harder to reverse depression the longer it goes untreated, and the longer it goes untreated the longer it lasts.

The two most common forms of depression in teens are reactive depression and manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder. Reactive depression is the most common type of depression, and deals with prolonged states of sadness and feelings of worthlessness. Bipolar disorder is characterized by a disturbing change of moods, usually from extremely manic to extremely sad, in short periods of time.

When evaluating depression in teens, there are certain symptoms you should look for. If your teen cries, but doesn't fill the usual relief associate with crying , and is continually said, this is a critical sign.

Another critical sign is if they have low self-esteem and often express feelings a guilt, even when there is no reason to. Finally, consider some of the factors for depression in teens such as an overall negative outlook on life, irregular sleep patterns, frequent indecisiveness, and high irritability.

The first step a teenager needs to take if they feel depressed is to communicate with somebody they trust can help them. There are many different options for it teenager to discuss their problems with, such as their parents, their family doctor, somebody they trust in their church, and school counselor, or professional psychologists.

Depression in teens is typically treated with psychotherapy and/or medication. Typical psychotherapy sessions for depression in teens revolve around talking about how they feel with a trained psychotherapist, and trying to understand the root cause of the depression. Most often, depression is caused by a faulty understanding of reality, which can be easily corrected under the proper guidance of a professional.

In more severe cases of depression in teens, medication is also often prescribed. Depending upon the level of depression, medication might be required first before progress is made.

To sum it up, consider the facts I've offered in this article as they relate to depression in teens. This information can be used for you to help determine the best course of action, and to make sure your teen is not suffering unnecessarily because of depression.

Article Source: www.harperandassociatesinsurance.com

About the author: Steven Ross is a long-time Positive Mental Health enthusiast and can help you with all your depression needs. For Positive Mental Health advice visit his new site at DepressionandAnxietyReport.com This and other unique content 'Depression' articles are available with free reprint rights.

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