The Causes and Effects of Teen Depression.
Approximately 4 out of 100 teenagers get seriously depressed each year. Sure, everybody feels sad or blue now and then. But if you're sad most of the time, and it's giving you problems with: your grades, your relationships with your family and friends, alcohol, drugs, sex, then the problem may be depression. What is Depression? Depression is a serious illness that can affect anybody, including teenagers. It can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health. Most people with depression can be helped with treatment. But, most depressed people never get the help they need. And, when depression isn't treated, it can get worse, last longer, and prevent you from getting the most out of your life. .
The number one cause of teen depression is stress. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Sometimes people get seriously depressed after something like a divorce in the family, major financial problems, someone you love dying, an unhealthy home life, or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Stress caused by problems with friends can be due to peer pressure. Choosing to follow the behavior of his or her friends is great pressure on teens. If one's friends are using drugs or displaying self-destructive behaviors, then he or she tends to do the same. This stress can cause severe depression, for a teen may feel as if they won't be accepted if they don't follow their friends. Teens from divorced homes also may suffer from stress. Teens from divorced homes have to grow up quickly and then leave or they may feel as if they cannot grow up at all and must stay at home for their parents. Both interfere with the teen's ability to successfully develop a sense of identity. Trying to develop his or hers identity is a big step in a teen's life.