Monday, March 18, 2013

Sad Teenager or Depressed Teenager?

By Sue Stein


Does your teenager display mood swings or complain of a dark cloud that never leaves? This could be teenage depression. It's serious and effects every facet of their life. It is so serious that depression can root itself in unwanted behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse, self loathing, self mutilation, pregnancy, violence and at it's worse suicide. If you are a parent , a teacher or just a friend you can help. Having an honest conversation can bring about a much needed solution.

There is just as much confusion about teen depression as there is about teenagers in general. Of course the teen years are tough, but most teens balance their hardships with healthy friendships, success in school or extra-curricular activities, and the development of a strong sense of self and personality. The occasional mood swing or bad decision is to be expected, but depression is completely different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager's personality, causing an overwhelming sense of unhappiness, helplessness, or anger. Whether the cases of teen depression are actually increasing, or we're just becoming more aware of them, the fact is that depression strikes teenagers far more often than people think. And although depression is highly treatable, professionals say only one in five affected teens receive help; A teenager usually has to rely on parents, teachers, or other guardians to recognize his or her suffering and get the treatment the teen needs.

Body changes, questions about who am I and how do i fit in, are the biggest giants that continuously plague the teenage psyche. Growing up from a child to adulthood brings many consequences such as conflicts with parents. Independence is the motive. These circumstances can be confusing to a parent. Is my child sad , seeking independence or is this depression? To bring more confusion to the issue signs of depression do not always reveal themselves as sadness or complete withdrawal . Irritability, aggression and rage are often the face of depression.

Wacky hormone levels add another dimension to your teen's mood, but this still does not preclude a presence of depression. Seek professional help. Psychologists and psychiatrists are specialists trained in diagnosing depression. Make sure you have a conversation with these professionals about the risks to your child's brain development. If a child is under 18 their brains are still developing.

Ways to beat the blues and I mean major blues are simple...diet, nutrition, exercise and nutrients. Exercise will help boost your endorphins and it will also help your confidence more than anything else. Vitamins such as B-vitamins are a very potent treatment for depression. Taking omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish oil have been shown to be potent antidepressants as well as Zinc and magnesium, two minerals found to have antidepressant effects. With research one could receive the same results from a holistic approach as one would receive with prescribed medication.

Spot the early signs of depression in your teenager and stop depression dead in its tracks.




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