TEENAGE ISSUE!!!

DEPRESSION 

Teenage depression is a growing problem in today's society and is often a major contributing factor for most adolescent problems. As many as 8.3 percent of teens suffer depression for at least a year at a time, compared to about 5.3 percent of the general population. 


Teen depression can affect a teen regardless of gender, social background, income level, race, or school or other achievements, though teenage girls report suffering from depression more often than teenage boys. Teenage boys are also less likely to seek help or recognize that they suffer from depression, probably due to different social expectations for boys and girls – girls are encouraged to express their feelings while boys are not. Teenage girls’ somewhat stronger dependence on social ties, however, can increase the chances of teen depression being triggered by social factors, such as loss of friends.




SYMPTOMS:

Kids with teen depression may sleep excessively, have a change in eating habits, and may even exhibit criminal behaviors such as DUI or shoplifting. Other symptoms include: 

• Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
• Sudden drop in grades
• Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
• Withdrawal from friends

TREATMENT

Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends, or seek out new connections at a depression support group, for example. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and it won’t mean you’re a burden to others. Often, the simple act of talking to someone face-to-face can be an enormous help.

Stress reduction. Make changes in your life to help manage and reduce stress. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression. Take the aspects of your life that stress you out, such as work overload or unsupportive relationships, and find ways to minimize their impact.

Exercise. Regular exercise can be as effective at treating depression as medication. Not only does exercise boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do. 

MY HONEST THOUGHT ABOUT DEPRESSION: 

Depression is a very lonely experience. It can feel as if no one understands what you are feeling or even cares enough to begin to understand. When you reach out to a friend who suffers depression, let him know that you are going to be there for him every step of the way it can be very reassuring. Just a simple phrase like "i care for you" or "i am here for you" can help to comfort that person 😊💕

LINKS OF REFERENCE: 
https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-depression/teen-depression-statistics/

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression#3