Teenagers are at more risk than adults because teenagers can be very volatile and tend to do rash things without fully thinking them through. Irritable or angry moods, unexplained aches and pains, extreme sensitivity to criticism and withdrawing from people are clues that describe the difference, according to psychologists at helpguide.org.
Highly unhealthy and rebellious behavior in a teenager are the negative effects of teenage depression. Problems in school can stem from the low energy and concentration difficulties that come with the depression. Drug and alcohol abuse also come with depression as teens try to medicate themselves and only succeed in making it worse. Reckless behavior, such as unprotected sex and reckless driving, can also be the results of teenage depression.
The levels of depression can be described with three simple words: hapless, helpless, hopeless. Hapless essentially means unhappiness- it’s hard to smile and things just don’t feel good. When feeling helpless, one feels they can do nothing about their problem. Hopelessness the assumption that things will truly never get better. The combination of those three feelings can create a depressed individual.
Fortunately, depression is treatable. But it can be very damaging when left untreated. If symptoms of depression become clear, seek professional help from a guidance counselor or a psychiatrist. When suspecting whether a friend of relative might be depression, speak up about it and talk to them. It can get better with the right help.
“Sometimes people want to say ‘Oh, I’m depressed’” Halfmann said. “They’re not depressed. They’re dissatisfied. They’re irritated or unhappy. There is a qualitative difference between that and depression. It’s not the same thing.”
Next time the phrase ‘I’m so depressed’ is on the tip of the tongue, think twice. It has more meaning than it seems.