Depression is more than feeling sad or down, it’s something that can affect your mental and physical well being. It is sadly not uncommon for teens today to have depression. It affects how they feel, think, and act.
3.1 million adolescents between the ages of twelve and seventeen experience major depression at some point. It’s not something that will go away or something that you should overlook.
Some symptoms take the form of emotional problems that are not just being sad. Depression can make you angry and irritable. It can make you feel hopeless or have low self esteem. It can make you lose interest in friends, family, and activities that make you happy. As well as making you look towards the future with grim and bleak expectations.
Depression can manifest physical symptoms including forgetfulness, trouble thinking, and lack of concentration. It can affect your eating and sleeping patterns as well as lead to poor performance in school. It occasionally leads to social isolation and restlessness.
Teenagers with depression can easily fall down negative and dangerous pathways. For example teens may start having problems with authority, angry outbursts, risky behavior, and they may start acting out. Depression also can lead teens to turn to drugs and alcohol as an unhealthy coping mechanism.
If you feel like you need help because of mental health, reach out. Whether it’s to a trusted adult, a family member, or a friend it’s important to know that you are not alone. Depression is not something that should be ignored or overlooked. It can take many forms and any person who shows signs deserves to get the help they need.
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