Teen Depression

Depression has become increasingly common over the years, and this could be for a number of reasons. The pace of life today is far faster and more stressful, there are more accidents that can cause trauma, and statistics such as consumer debt levels and divorce rates are always rising, all of which can cause or add to depression. But it’s not just adults that suffer from depression – this is an illness that can and is also suffered by younger people, and teen depression is also becoming increasingly common.

Statistics indicate that about five percent of children and teens suffer from depression at any one point in time. There are a number of possible causes of teen depression, just as there are with adult depression. Risk factors and causes of clinical depression in teens include loss, stress, learning disorders, attention disorders, environment, and more. There are also certain groups that are at higher risk of teen depression, including minority youth and teenage girls.

In other cases teen depression can stem from genetics, and it runs in families for many generations. Family problems also tend to arise during the years of adolescence and this can contribute to the teen depression rates. In line with the rate of teen depression the rate of teen suicides has also seen a rise over recent years, reflecting just how severe teen depression can be, and how important it is to get the depressed teen treated as soon as possible.

Teens can show signs of depression in very different ways to adults. It is important for parents to look out for these signs, as this could mean being able to initiate early treatment rather than letting the depression fester until it gets out of control. Some of the signs that could indicate teen depression include behavioural problems, hostility towards others, becoming a recluse, and alcohol or substance abuse.