Help CenterEveryone’s talking about depression. At school, in the news, maybe even around the dinner table or in the more serious talks you have with friends… everybody’s talking. You would have heard many things. This document sets out the reliable information you need to know.
Teenagers and depression
This is a disorder for which it is vital to act early. You’re more likely to become depressed as a teenager. The earlier onset is likely to result in a more severe experience of depression, including more depressive episodes throughout life.
A Few Facts
In Australia:
- 1 in 5 by the age of 18 has experienced a depressive episode
- At any given time, around 6% of adults have depression.
Some effects of depression
- Social problems
- Educational problems
- Poorer concentration and memory
- Lower school attendance
- Tobacco and other drug use
Finally, depression has a considerable relationship with suicide. There is a death of a teenager a day in Australia from suicide on average.
What is likely to come with depression
- Anxiety
- Disruptive behaviour disorder
- Substance misuse problems
What is made more complex with depression
- Autism
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
How to spot depression
There are things we can look for that distinguish depression from natural sadness:
- You feel low most of the day- nearly every day
- You used to enjoy activities, and now you don’t
- You have decreased energy and fatigue
- Your confidence and self-esteem are lower
- You have feelings of guilt and self-loathing, which most would say are unreasonable
- You think about death, suicide and self-harm
- No longer can you concentrate or think clearly
- Your appetite and/or weight has changed
- You’re sleeping much more than usual
- You’re hiding in your bedroom, taking more time away from people
- You feel more hungry than usual or not feeling hungry at all
- You have no plans for the future. You don’t want them.
What leads to depression
There are a few factors known to increase the risk:
- The rate is higher among female than male teens
- A family history of depression
- Stressful events like family problems or final exams
- The use of drugs and alcohol
Yet, in the end, depression can happen for no reason at all. Like physical diseases which end up with no understood close cause, the cause for an individual’s depression may not ever be found. Given the many factors, doctors and psychologists are trained to determine the cause. It is often relieving for a teen to discover they were not at fault.
The good news is that effective treatments exist for this widely dealt with depression. The earlier we act, the better.
What to do to lower your risk
- Good quality relationships with friends, family, and other adults.
- These relationships should have warmth, acceptance, low hostility and low control.
- Feeling loved by family and friends
- The ability to emotionally regulate
- Dealing with issues with sports, exercise, and social interactions
- Positive ways of thinking
With depression, there is a risk of suicide.
Warning signs to remember:
- Expressing hopelessness for the future
- Giving away belongings
- Talking as if no one cares
- Writing goodbye letters
- Starting to use drugs and alcohol
- Using sleeping medications to deal with suffering
- Expressing thoughts of dying
- Self-harming behaviours such as cutting
- Making a plan and attempting suicide
Do not hesitate to call and ask for help. The best way to get in touch with us is via VoixBot