It is common for a teenager to suffer short periods of down feeling and occasional bad moods and melancholy. However, many teenagers suffer from major depression as well that disrupts their everyday functioning. Inability to feel happiness or pleasure or more accurately satisfied for a comprehensive period of time, persistent irritability, sad mood, or feelings of despair are the signs if a teenager is suffering from a major depression.

Potential Triggers of Teenage Depression:

They include, but are not limited to:

Genetics If depression is a family history, odds are the teenager will suffer from it too.

Medical Conditions that affect mood and hormonal balance like hypothyroidism. Furthermore, chronic physical illness can also cause depression in a teenager.

Earlier Traumatic Experiences like incest or abuse.

Nutritional Deficiencies due to lack of vitamins or amino acid imbalance.

Significant Events that may include breaking up with girlfriend or boyfriend, parents’ divorce, prolonged or occasional negligence from someone who is source of nurturance, death of a loved one, etc.

Probable Effects of Teenage Depression:

They can be several, but the most common are:

• Suicidal thoughts or attempt
• Eating disorders
• Acting out
• Drug and alcohol use
• Self injury
• Low self esteem

Treatment of Teenage Depression:

No one has the bigger role to play in the treatment of teenage depression than either or both of the parents. These are parents who can greatly help their kids in coming out of the depression. However, if their methods don’t work, clinical treatment of teenage depression can be pursued. Clinical treatment of teenage depression includes:

• Special schools
• Group therapy
• Medication
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Hospitalization
• Family therapy
• Creative expression
• Physical exercise
• Volunteer work