Teen Depression

According to Kids Health, as many as 1 in every 33 children may have depression as teens. That number may be as high as 1 in 8. Teen depression is something we are trying to work against. Teens should be living their lives and having fun.

There are different types of depression, and most of it is just sadness. There are many reasons why adolescents feel depressed: they get the feeling of worthlessness and inadequacy over grades, school performance, and social status with peers, sexual orientation, or family life. Sometimes it’s caused by environmental stress. Teens that are having any symptoms can seek help by talking to parents, counselors, or a professional.

The symptoms of teen depression are:

*Apathy

*Complaints of pains: including headaches, stomachaches, low back pain, or fatigue

*Difficulty concentrating

*Difficulty making decisions

*Excessive or inappropriate guilt

*Irresponsible behavior—for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes, skipping school

*Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain

*Memory loss

*Preoccupation with death and dying

*Rebellious behavior

*Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness

*Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day

*Sudden drop in grades

*Use of alcohol or drugs

*Withdrawal from friends

For more information, go to this website. http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression