Wednesday, December 15, 2010

10 most common causes of teenage depression

The Causes of teenage depression usually vary from one teenager to another. In fact, literatures and researches have shown that the list of causes of teenage depression is practically endless. Research has also shown that most types of depression can be treated. In this article I have highlighted below some of the most common causes of teenage depression facing teenagers today;

  1. Traumatic or Significant life events such as the death of a family member, close friend or loved one, parents divorce or split, heartbreak from  a boyfriend or girlfriend, or relocating or moving to a new school and area.
  2. Emotional and Physical neglect, being separated from a significant others or nurturer, abuse, as well as damage to self esteem can all lead to depression.
  3. Many changes happening too quickly can cause depression. For some teens, any major change at one time can trigger symptoms.
  4. Stress aggravated by emotional neglect from significant others and loved ones.
  5. Past traumatic events, experiences or negative flash backs like sexual abuse, rape, physical abuse which might have happened earlier in a teen’s life can generally resurface as flashbacks later in the teen’s life. When this happens, the teen may experience varying degrees of depression.
  6. A teenager can experience depression as a result of growth spurts or changes associated with puberty. This can be easily treated.
  7. Misuse, abuse or over use of drugs and other related substances can alter the brain chemistry in a teen causing some types of depression.
  8. Some physical or medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and physical disability can affect hormone and mood balance. The stress and chronic Physical pain associated with the treatment of certain health conditions can also trigger depression
  9. Depression can be a genetic disorder, and teens with family members with a history of depression have a greater chance themselves of suffering from depression
  10. Financial difficulties can also be a cause of teenage depression. This is true especially if one or both parents are unemployed or got laid off.
Whatever the cause of your depression, the good news is that treatment is available for most types of depression. So if you suffer from depression take courage in the fact that your condition can be perfectly treated.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

5 Ways to Deal With Depression and Anxiety

By Josef Mack

Depression, anxiety and stress are a normal part of life. Everyone is liable to have a bad day here and there. Few people are always positive and cheerful. If you get through the miserable spots then you are doing fine. But if you get stuck in what seems like a black hole, then it's a problem that has to be first recognized and then treated. Please consult your physician immediately.

If you are not quite down the black hole yet, here are five simple tips on how you can treat your depression. Please consider that we all self-diagnose to be healthier than we really may be, so be honest with yourself:

Tip 1: Pet Therapy

One of the simplest, most effective and the cuddliest option is getting a pet, specifically a dog or a cat. Reason being, they give unconditional love and spoil you with never ending attention. It's hard to get a fish to lick you, or wag its tail like a dog does. It's also proven that petting a cat or dog lowers blood pressure.

Tip 2: Fitness Workout

Get enrolled in a fitness workout program. The physical activity energizes the body and helps treat anxiety. When you get your body moving you release endorphins. Endorphins are the body's happy chemicals; they make you feel better and are good for your health.

Tip 3: Hobby Time

Pause and take a break. Explore your hobby and give yourself time. You can even join a charity or do volunteer work. This is a natural therapy, helping others gives you inner peace and satisfaction. You will also feel empathy and realize the good things you do have in your life. You might even consider your problems to be petty compared to those of others.

Tip 4: Sleep Quality

How well you sleep will determine the peacefulness in your life. In order to ensure a better rest period, the following steps should be taken into consideration:


 Get a comfortable bed and pillow(s)
 Set the room temperature to a cooler level
 Use aromatherapy and mist your pillow with lavender
 Avoid alcohol and caffeine before going to bed
 Do not watch horror movies before going to bed
If it's not possible to do all of these, do as many as you can to insure a good sound sleep.

Tip 5: Recognize the Reason(s)

This happens to be the most vital tip of all. You need to know the reason behind the depression. When you recognize the cause, you can then find a way to deal with it, or treat it.

Depression and anxiety are serious issues and have consequences on our health. They should not be taken lightly. Remember that life happens to us and it is how we act or react to it that makes the difference. Get help to uncover your own natural positive attitude and start living a happier life. Don't wait - start now!

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

How to Detect Teenage Depression Symptoms


By Ben Paul

Depression suffered by teenagers is serious mental disorder much like the ones experienced by adults. Depression is a disease that requires serious medical and psycho-therapeutic attention for both adult and teenage sufferers. When adults exhibit symptoms of depression it is usually as a result of serious occurrence rather than peripheral and insignificant matters.

Most teenagers deal with issues regarding sex, friends, studies and even issues regarding popularity and belonging. Any typical teenager will experience rejection at some point which can eventually lead to depression. Then number of adolescents who suffer from depression is surprisingly higher than that of adults. There are about 1-2 out of 10 teenagers in America who exhibit Teenage Depression Symptoms; and only one out of sixty eight adult Americans are affected with depression. The contrast in number is completely overwhelming. This demonstrates that adolescents have more problems than they could handle or cope with than many adults.

The most common or typical sign of teenage depression is loss of interest. Adolescents show depression signs without even knowing that they are depressed. Their lack of knowledge regarding depression makes them more vulnerable to it than most adults. The sign that can be seen with teenagers are not only lack of interest, but also the sign of hopelessness, hostility, sadness, worthlessness, irritability and anger. They can also withdraw from their friends as a result of their feelings of loneliness and sadness.

One of the reasons teenage depression symptoms is hard to diagnose is because adolescents are often more concerned about how their friends will perceive them. They may often refuse to accept that they are depressed and may need some medical treatment. This feeling of apprehension is mostly tied to what they perceive to be a weakness or what they think their friends would say about them. Their fear of being rejected can make their depression worst. Unlike adults who are often alarmed by even a single symptom; teenagers tend to hide what and how they really feel especially from their parents.

The treatment for Teenage Depression Symptoms is the same with how a doctor would treat an adult patient. There are cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, medication and sometime interpersonal therapy that are involved. Teenagers are given antidepressant medicines under the guidance and supervision of their parents. Fighting the signs of adolescent depression can be much harder than dealing with depression with adults. It is always difficult for some teenagers to be open with their parents and friends much less with strange doctor. Teenage depression symptoms must not be pushed aside as just ordinary adolescent problems. The more you disregard this concern, the more obvious it becomes that bigger social and psychological issue will rise in the future.

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