The teenage years are considered to be some of the most fragile in life. In the past, depression and illnesses related to depression have interfered with the normal lives of teenagers and their families. In fact, in some parts of the world, suicide driven by depression is one of the leading causes of death for young people. Based on a recent survey, teen depression symptoms may be alleviated with the proper treatment, including psychological counseling and medication.
Experts say that there are several ways to tell when a teenager goes into a state of depression. Most common symptoms and indications include the feeling of always being irritable, angry, or sad. For young people who should be having the most fun in their lives, depressed teens usually feel like nothing is fun and does not put any effort into feeling otherwise. They usually feel bad about themselves, usually with some pointless guilt or a sense of worthlessness. They could either sleep too much, or too little. They may cry for no reason, have fluctuating weight, and even manifest suicidal thoughts.
Depression can affect any teenager, and parents must avoid blaming themselves and, try to focus their efforts on helping their teenager cope better. Experts say that they must be the first ones to encourage their teens to stay social and remember that isolation will only make depression worse. Interaction is also a good way of making a depressed teen feel better gradually. Diet and exercise have also been known to help with easing the symptoms of depression. The release of endorphins during exercise will make the teen patient instantly happier, so getting involved in sports and other activities could be beneficial. Health practitioners also warn against substance abuse during depression, as this can aggravate the symptoms and make the condition worse. Opening up channels of communication that urge a depressed patient to speak to someone about how they feel will be a step towards proper treatment and appropriate action.