Teenage
Depression: Knowing What To Look For
Sufferers of teenage depression
are more likely to attempt suicide. Among teenagers who develop
depression, as many as 7% will commit suicide as young adults. Teenage
depression, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, can last for weeks
and even months and can eventually dominate teenagers' lives. They
begin to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, and relationships
with family and friends deteriorate. Some teens turn to drugs and
alcohol to mask the pain of teenage depression.
There is an estimated 5% of 9 to17 year-olds suffering from depression
in any given 6-month period. In 2002, doctors wrote almost 11 million
prescriptions for antidepressants to teenagers and children. That
represents nearly 8 % of all prescriptions written for depression
in the United States. Studies show, out of 100 patients given prescription
drugs, 2 or 3 more will become suicidal than would have had they
been given placebos.
Depression in teens can lead to poor school attendance and performance.
Often teenage depression is left untreated because people fail to
recognize the symptoms. People view it as normal sadness or as a
sign of weakness. It is important to distinguish between normal
sadness and teenage depression.
The following are common symptoms of teenage depression:
- Sad or irritable mood
- Changes in appetite or weight (including
weight gain or weight loss)
- Sleep difficulty or oversleeping
- Excessive tiredness
- Guilt and feelings of worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities they once
enjoyed
- Difficulty concentrating in school or other
activities
- Thoughts of suicide
Most teens will experience
these symptoms at some point in their teenage years. However,
if these symptoms continue for an extended period of time,
they should be taken to their doctor for a complete physical
and possible treatment for teenage depression. Some teenagers
experience a single episode of depression in their lives,
while others may experience many separate incidents. Frequent
headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or tiredness not linked
to a medical condition are additional symptoms that may be
normal in an adult's life, but should be monitored in a teenager.
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There are several forms
of teenage depression. Teenage dysthymia
is a less severe form of chronic depression, which can interfere
with a teenager's ability to enjoy their youth and get the
most out of life. Cyclothymia,
a mild form of bi-polar disorder, involves mild mood swings
from periods of depression to periods of high energy. Reactionary
depression is another form of teenage depression that is caused
by a major event in a teenager's life such as loss of a parent,
break-up of a romantic relationship, learning disorder, abuse,
or a chronic illness. |
Often teenage depression
is offset by a learning disorder or poor performance in school.
Teenagers suffering from attention deficit may suffer similar
symptoms related to that of depression. Attention
deficit disorder is a neurochemical imbalance in children,
teenagers, and adults that hinders their everyday lives at
school or work. This is something that can be treated using
pharmaceutical medication, with the risk of suffering adverse
side effects, or trying a natural alternative product such
as VÄXA Attend. |
Teenage depression can
make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless.
Keep in mind that these negative views are part of the illness.
Teenage depression must be treated before it significantly
affects their adult lives. The use of drugs and alcohol can
lead to depression, but it is more common for people who are
depressed to seek out drugs and alcohol. It is very important
to seek help in dealing
with depression. |
Try VÄXA's homeopathic
medicinal Deprex to help deal with mild
to moderate depression. Deprex is a
scientifically advanced cerebral homeopathic medicinal designed
to provide relief from mild depression and depressive disorders,
including mood changes, mood imbalances and melancholy, and/or
extended periods of simple sadness and grief. |
VÄXA's Deprex is not intended for severe
or major depression. If you suspect that you have any form of depression
please consult a physician.
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