Many young people go through feelings of self-deprecation or sadness, but when feelings grow darker and more constant, it might be time for some intervention.
We as a society don’t often think of young people as a group of people who are depressed, but about 20 percent of teens experience depression before reaching adulthood. It’s tempting to wonder what these young people with their entire lives ahead of them have to be sad about, but it’s important that depression is caused by chemical imbalances within the brain, and it does not discriminate.
Signs and symptoms of depression specifically in young people can include the following:
- Deep sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Self-harming
- Overreacting
- Trouble in school
- Sleeplessness
- Sleeping too much
- Being lethargic or lazy
- Authority issues
- Low self-esteem
- Eating less
- Overeating
- Attitude issues
- Trouble paying attention
- Forgetfulness
- Being unusually hostile
These are not all of the symptoms of depression, and symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Remember, only a mental health professional can diagnose a person with depression.
After diagnosis, your doctor can help you determine the best treatment plan for your specific case. Treatments can include antidepressant medications and therapies such as psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy. Depression is 100 percent treatable, and many people learn to cope with their depression and go on to live full, successful, and happy lives.