Teen Depression is a serious mental health problem that affects the behavior and overall thinking of a teenager. This condition is often describe as a persistent feeling of sadness that leads to inactivity or worst, suicide. It may be hard to distinguish teen depression to simple and temporary down moments in a teenage life. In that sense, communication between parents and children is important for identifying risk.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing depression among teens, including:
- Family problems
- Obesity
- Peer problems
- Long-term bullying
- Low grades
- Trauma experience
- Learning disabilities like dyslexia or certain conditions like hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Having other mental conditions or illness such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and personality disorder
- Having serious diseases like asthma, diabetes or cancer
- Family history of mental illness or stressful life events such as parental divorce or death of a loved one
- Physical disability
- Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in an unsupportive environment
- Drug or alcohol abuse
Treatment for teen depression may be a combination of medication and psychological counseling. Untreated depression may cause emotional, behavioral and health complications that may require a long-term treatment.
