This is an article I wrote late last year which got published in the 'College Herald'. It's about the facts of teenage depression and how frightening it can be.
It was lunch time and I was looking forward to be getting a break before chemistry. I could see my friend walking along the English block with a blank look in her eyes. I ran up to her to give her a hug, she shrugged me off violently. Her constant lack of energy and mood swings frightened me. I told her she needed help, and fast. She told me to leave her alone, she said she was fine. She pushed past me aggressively and made her way up the stairs. I knew she was depressed but I couldn’t understand why. She has her whole life ahead of her. Couldn’t she see that?
Depression is a huge problem in teenagers all around the world and it is only getting worse. Statistics show that teen depression has tripled since 1970. But with all the advanced technology and highly developed medical fields in modern society, shouldn’t teen depression be dropping instead of rising? Why are teens in today’s society resulting to suicide instead of finding another way out of difficult situations? Social status, family issues, school work and many more burdens can fall upon teenagers. Teenage years are very vulnerable and emotional and sometimes when a teenager reaches a point when they think they cannot cope anymore, they can face teen depression. The sad thing is that many teenagers think that there is no way out during depression and that they are alone. They do not know that there are people out there that can help them.
Teenagers who have low self esteem or are very self critical can often feel the pressure of being a teenager being too simply too much too handle. Sometimes, when a big change occurs in a teenager’s life they can because depressed. At the most extreme cases depression can lead to self harm and even teen suicide. Being neglected, not being able to fit in, going through hard times or chronic illness are major factors of teen depression. However, teens going through depression can know that they’re not alone. Statistics show that around twenty percent of teenagers will experience depression before adulthood. About five percent of all teenagers suffer major depression at some part of their teenager hood. This is a huge percentage of all teenagers around the world and it shows how common depression is amongst teenagers.
Drop in energy, rapid weight lose, short concentration span, high levels of sadness, persistent bad mood, loss of interest, moving very slowly, extremely low self confidence and suicidal thoughts are all common symptoms of depression. However when depression is left untreated for a long period of time, bigger changes can occur. Drop in grades, substance abuse, suicide threats, no regards of appearance, not wanting to socialize and have problems with relationships are long term changes that can arise. Teenage years are crucial to a person’s development; this is why teen depression can leave dramatic effects on a person’s life permanently.
Teenagers suffering through depression need to be promptly and professionally treated. If depression is left untreated it can be life threatening. There are many different types of therapy and professional people that specialize in teen depression. They will be there to help and guide the teenagers onto the right path. A good lifestyle can help alleviate teen depression. There are also medications teenagers can take in order to help the teenager feel less scared and nervous. These are usually given out during therapy sessions. With all the professional treatments out there, teenager should be able to beat depression. Unfortunately, many of them don’t.
I watch my friend’s hunched framed make its way up the stairs. I don’t even know her anymore. She is depressed and teenage hormones are raging but it shouldn’t have such a dramatic effect on her life. Teenagers are at a stage where they have their whole futures ahead of them. They need to know that the days will only get brighter if you believe it will. British philosopher Bertrand Russell once said: ‘Most people would rather die than think; in fact they do so.’ Why is this though? Why can’t teenagers see all that life has to offer instead of all that life hasn’t? Teenage years should be the happiest years of someone’s life. It shouldn’t have to be a teenager’s nightmare.
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