Depression | Troubled Teens

By Curtis Reed

Depression is a clinical term used by psychiatrists to describe a period of time when a troubled teen feels very sad to the point of feeling worthless, hopeless, and helpless. It is common for teens to have occasional melancholy, bad moods and short periods of feeling down. Temporary depression is something that many teens experience when things don't go the way they had planned. However, when a depressed mood continues and begins to interfere with one or numerous aspects of a teen's life, this may be a sign of a serious state of depression. Major teen depression limits one's ability to function normally. Depression in troubled teens is characterized by the inability to feel pleasure or happiness for an extended period of time, persistent moods of sadness and irritability, and feelings of hopelessness.

The reasons for depression can vary from adolescent to adolescent. Teen depression can occur from a wide-range of factors like neglect, prolonged absence from someone who is a source of care and nurturance, abuse and bullying, damage to self-esteem, or too many life changes occurring too quickly. Significant events such as the death of a loved one, parents’ divorce, moving to a new area, or breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend can also prompt symptoms of depression in teens.

Earlier traumatic experiences such as abuse or incest often emerge and cause great distress as the child becomes a teen. This is because as a young child the victim did not have the life experience or language to process these painful experiences, or to protest. When such memories emerge in adolescence, the distress can be detrimental if teens deny or discount the information. Substance abuse can cause changes in brain chemistry and often times leads to severe cases of depression in teens. Genetics can predispose a teen to depression when the illness runs in the family. There is no one single cause of depression in teenagers. Stressful and discouraging situations naturally overwhelm and have the potential to become serious. Experiences of failure commonly result in temporary feelings of worthlessness and self-blame, while personal loss causes feelings of sadness, disappointment and emptiness.

Early signs of teens with depression can be difficult to diagnose because they appear to be a normal part of the difficulties struggling teen boys and teen girls face. Troubled teen depression may be indicated if struggling teens experience an unusual degree of changes in eating and sleeping habits, significant weight gain or loss, missing school, poor school performance and/or a sudden decline in grades, withdrawal from friends and family, indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, feelings of despair and hopelessness, anger, rage, anxiety, drug/alcohol abuse, thoughts of death or suicide.

Therapy Insider Offers Multiple Therapeutic Services and Treatment Options for Troubled Teens Battling with Depression

Symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, delusions or hallucinations can indicate severe teen depression, with particular risks for suicide. Depression, when treated properly may be easily overcome. Unfortunately troubled teens who are depressed may also be experimenting with other substances such as drugs and alcohol. When teens are using dangerous drugs to fight the depression, the symptoms may actually become worse. Therapy Insider has child placement specialists available to families who are dedicated to restoring their child and getting him or her the help they need. In certain cases parents are recommended to place their child into a treatment facility.