Why Today’s Teens Are More Depressed Than Ever: Reasons & Symptoms of depression among teens

Today’s teens are more depressed than ever. There are many reasons why today’s teens are more depressed, and there is also good news. Experts have been trying to understand the causes of depression among teens for decades now. However, we can finally see a light at the end of this long tunnel. There are many ways to recognize and treat teen depression, but first, you need to be aware of its warning signs. Understanding the causes and symptoms of depression will help you better understand how to deal with it if you or someone you know struggles with it on a day-to-day basis. Let’s take a look...

What is teen depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that affects one in seven Indians between 15-24 years of age shows Unicef report. Depression is diagnosed two times more often in women than men. Depression affects teens in a variety of ways, but the most common symptoms are that people with depression often have low self-esteem and are more likely to self-harm or even attempt suicide. Depression can have lasting effects on your life, and it often affects more than just your mood. It can make it hard to concentrate, finish schoolwork, or find a job. A diagnosis of depression is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign that someone is suffering. Depression is a treatable disease that changes the way your brain works. It causes chemical imbalances in the brain that can be treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

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Emotional Symptoms of Depression in Teens 

• Sadness, which can include crying fits for no apparent reason
• Frustration or anger, even over trivial matters
• Are you feeling hopeless or empty?
• irritable or irritable mood
• Loss of enjoyment or interest in usual activities
• Disinterest in, or disagreement with, family and friends
• Self-esteem issues
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Fixation on failures in the past or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, as well as an excessive need for reassurance
• Having difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Ongoing feeling that life and the future are bleak
• Death, dying, or suicide thoughts occur frequently.

Behavioral Symptoms of Depression in Teens

• Tiredness and energy deficiency
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Appetite changes — decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased food cravings and weight gain
• Use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• Pacing, hand-wringing, or an inability to sit still are examples of agitation or restlessness.
• Slowing of thought, speech, or movement
• Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, possibly accompanied by frequent visits to the school nurse
• Social isolation Poor academic performance or frequent absences
• Personal hygiene and appearance are given less importance.
• rage, disruptive or risky behavior, or other act-out behaviors
• Self-harm, such as cutting or burning
• Making a suicide plan or attempting suicide

Bullying and social media

Being bullied is a very common cause of depression in teens, as well as being overly reliant on social media. Being bullied is a very common trigger for depression. In fact, statistics show that between 30 and 40 percent of teens have been bullied. Cynthia Eriks-Brophy, a psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, says that “being bullied or victimizing others is associated with a higher risk for depression and anxiety.” Eriks-Brophy also says that “social media can be a trigger for these problems, too, especially if the person is spending a lot of time on the sites and feeling bad about themselves.” If you or someone you know is being bullied, or you feel that your social media habits are negatively impacting your mood, it’s important to talk to a trusted adult.

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School pressure

School pressure is a large contributing factor to teen depression. School can be a very stressful environment, especially for those who come from lower-income households and have a constant worry about how they will afford college. Trying to balance homework and extracurricular activities can be very stressful for teens, especially those who want to one day go to a prestigious college. All of this added pressure on top of regular schoolwork and tests can really cause a lot of stress in teens. School pressure can build up and lead to depression if left unchecked. If you or someone you know is feeling depressed because of school pressure, it’s important to talk to a trusted adult.

Lack of exercise

Not getting enough exercise and being sedentary can lead to teen depression. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and feel better about yourself. Exercise has been proven to help lessen the symptoms of depression. Exercise helps the brain release endorphins, which are the chemicals that make you feel happy. Exercise is especially important to teens because staying sedentary can lead to a buildup of serotonin, a chemical in the brain linked to depression. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, it’s important to incorporate exercise into your daily regimen.

Genetics

Many teens with depression will have a family member diagnosed with the same disease. If a teen has a family member with a history of depression, they are more likely to suffer from it themselves. If there is a family history of depression, teens should be mindful of its symptoms. Having a family member with a history of depression can also make teens more sensitive to negative experiences like bullying. It’s important to be aware of your family history, especially if you have a family history of depression.

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