Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?

[Deeje]

It seems as if depressive illness has become epidemic in the Western World.....most especially is this true among our youth. Suicides have reached alarming proportions among young people who have experienced the dark side of social media bullying and other problems affecting youth.

I found this to be a helpful article on the subject, explaining possible causes and how to tackle the problem.
Most parents are at a loss as to how to handle the situation, when their teens won't talk to them, or don't know what's wrong with them.

"The symptoms of depression can appear during adolescence and may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and weight. Feelings of despair, hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness may also appear. Other signs include social withdrawal, trouble concentrating or remembering, suicidal thoughts or actions, and medically unexplained symptoms. When mental-health professionals suspect depression, they usually look for groups of symptoms that persist for weeks and that disrupt a person’s everyday life."

Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

Teens see so much hatred and violence they do not know how to handle it. There is so much pressure to go to a good college and get a high paying job. They do not know what to do and the pressure gets to them.

 

[Aštra’el]

I think it's absolutely pathetic.

I have seen people starving in other countries, suffering from disease, living homeless, and still still finding reasons to live. Reasons to smile. Reasons to celebrate Life. If anyone has reason to be depressed, it's them, yet so many among them find the strength and Will and fortitude to overcome it.

Then I have seen various "depressed" people in America, with roofs over their heads, fresh food in their kitchens, clean water to drink and wash themselves, clean clothes to wear, comfortable beds to sleep in, educational and employment opportunities galore, and people in their lives who care about their well-being... yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I have absolutely no pity for them, whatsoever.

 

[Dawnofhope]

"Resort ye, in times of sickness, to competent physicians; We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it..." Baha'u'llah

 

[Dawnofhope]

Most people who commit suicide have depression. Suicide is the major cause of death for young people in my country. There are few more important issues than how we can help our young people find their way in this world. Depression is a devastating and complex illness that has many facets.

 

[Deeje]

I think it's absolutely pathetic.

I have seen people starving in other countries, suffering from disease, living homeless, and still still finding reasons to live. Reasons to smile. Reasons to celebrate Life. If anyone has reason to be depressed, it's them, yet so many among them find the strength and Will and fortitude to overcome it.

Then I have seen various "depressed" people in America, with roofs over their heads, fresh food in their kitchens, clean water to drink and wash themselves, clean clothes to wear, comfortable beds to sleep in, educational and employment opportunities galore, and people in their lives who care about their well-being... yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I have absolutely no pity for them, whatsoever.

I don't think we are talking about the whiners and complainers here. We are speaking more about brain chemistry problems and social stresses in a system where kids are supposed to comply with the social norm of whatever country or society they live in. Extreme stress of this nature and for a prolonged period produces severe depression and suicide is often sought as the only solution.
Drugs and alcohol are also a way to block out the pain of living. The problem is relative to the life one expects to live in any nation. Bullying, especially via cowardly social media comments, just compounds the whole issue.

Clinical depression is not something you invite.....and treatments are not always successful. It is no respecter of anyone's social standing or educational qualifications.

Just last year a well respected maths teacher at a local high school walked out of the school, drove to a location nearby and jumped to his death. No one knew that he had a problem with depression.....not even his own family. This is why we need to talk about depression and its consequences. It isn't something you can just "snap out of".

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Thanks for the article - my heart goes out to all those suffering!

Here's another site that might help -

10 Ways to Show Love to Someone With Depression - The Darling Bakers

Cheers

 

[Deathbydefault]

It seems as if depressive illness has become epidemic in the Western World.....most especially is this true among our youth. Suicides have reached alarming proportions among young people who have experienced the dark side of social media bullying and other problems affecting youth.

I found this to be a helpful article on the subject, explaining possible causes and how to tackle the problem.
Most parents are at a loss as to how to handle the situation, when their teens won't talk to them, or don't know what's wrong with them.

"The symptoms of depression can appear during adolescence and may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and weight. Feelings of despair, hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness may also appear. Other signs include social withdrawal, trouble concentrating or remembering, suicidal thoughts or actions, and medically unexplained symptoms. When mental-health professionals suspect depression, they usually look for groups of symptoms that persist for weeks and that disrupt a person’s everyday life."

Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?

They need assistance finding where they belong, is my take on it.
I feel like there could be a solution to such a thing through changing how we approach education.
Most people can stand being bullied, that only seems to be a smaller part of the issues here.

The straw that breaks the camel's back, if you will.

 

[psychoslice]

Kids these days are trying to grow up faster than ever, they are so narcissistic, that they believe they can do everything and anything when in fact they can't, and because of this stress of trying to be something they are not has caused many to suicide, and all sorts of other problems.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I think it's absolutely pathetic.

I have seen people starving in other countries, suffering from disease, living homeless, and still still finding reasons to live. Reasons to smile. Reasons to celebrate Life. If anyone has reason to be depressed, it's them, yet so many among them find the strength and Will and fortitude to overcome it.

Then I have seen various "depressed" people in America, with roofs over their heads, fresh food in their kitchens, clean water to drink and wash themselves, clean clothes to wear, comfortable beds to sleep in, educational and employment opportunities galore, and people in their lives who care about their well-being... yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I have absolutely no pity for them, whatsoever.

Kids these days are trying to grow up faster than ever, they are so narcissistic, that they believe they can do everything and anything when in fact they can't, and because of this stress of trying to be something they are not has caused many to suicide, and all sorts of other problems.

Sometimes the intellectual level of some posts on RF makes me feel like I'm on a middle school playground.

 

[psychoslice]

Sometimes the intellectual level of some posts on RF makes me feel like I'm on a middle school playground.

Well be what you are, if that is where you feel you should be then stay there.

 

[Stevicus]

I found this to be a helpful article on the subject, explaining possible causes and how to tackle the problem.
Most parents are at a loss as to how to handle the situation, when their teens won't talk to them, or don't know what's wrong with them.

It's the parents who are the problem. There's nothing worse in this world than a toxic parent.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I think it's absolutely pathetic.

I have seen people starving in other countries, suffering from disease, living homeless, and still still finding reasons to live. Reasons to smile. Reasons to celebrate Life. If anyone has reason to be depressed, it's them, yet so many among them find the strength and Will and fortitude to overcome it.

Then I have seen various "depressed" people in America, with roofs over their heads, fresh food in their kitchens, clean water to drink and wash themselves, clean clothes to wear, comfortable beds to sleep in, educational and employment opportunities galore, and people in their lives who care about their well-being... yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I have absolutely no pity for them, whatsoever.

Then you know and understand nothing about depression.
It is not about feeling sad, dejected or disappointed it is not about feelings at all.
It is a mental/ brain disorder.
It is not something you can put behind you, get over or shake off.
You are sick in the same way people can be physically sick.

At its worst it is a black blanket of cloud engulfing you, and crushing you, with no possibility of escape. it is a dark tunnel stretching to infinity.There is no hope. At that stage you are incapable of anything and will probably be cowering, incapable, and huddled on the floor in the corner of a room.

It can be treated, and in time, people usually do get better. But like many illnesses it is rarely "Cured"
And it can return.

My late wife suffered from depression in her 30's and it lasted the best part of ten years. To the day she died she was frightened that it might return. We never found out what triggered it, people rarely do.
Brain disorders are notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat.

Depression is one of the most disabling Diseases there is. It can happen to anyone, rich, poor, educated,or uneducated, gifted or dumb, and with out any warning at all...
... It could happen to you.

 

[psychoslice]

It's the parents who are the problem. There's nothing worse in this world than a toxic parent.

I agree, but isn't it always the parents, the younger generation are going to be parents also, where the hell does it end ?.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Then you know and understand nothing about depression.
It is not about feeling sad, dejected or disappointed it is not about feelings at all.
It is a mental/ brain disorder.
It is not something you can put behind you, get over or shake off.
You are sick in the same way people can be physically sick.

At its worst it is a black blanket of cloud engulfing you, and crushing you, with no possibility of escape. it is a dark tunnel stretching to infinity.There is no hope. At that stage you are incapable of anything and will probably be cowering, incapable, and huddled on the floor in the corner of a room.

It can be treated, and in time, people usually do get better. But like many illnesses it is rarely "Cured"
And it can return.

My late wife suffered from depression in her 30's and it lasted the best part of ten years. To the day she died she was frightened that it might return. We never found out what triggered it, people rarely do.
Brain disorders are notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat.

Depression is one of the most disabling Diseased there is. It can happen to anyone, rich, poor, educated,or uneducated, gifted or dumb, and with out any warning at all...
... It could happen to you.

Excellent post. Thank you for this educational post!

 

[oldbadger]

It seems as if depressive illness has become epidemic in the Western World.....most especially is this true among our youth. Suicides have reached alarming proportions among young people who have experienced the dark side of social media bullying and other problems affecting youth.

I found this to be a helpful article on the subject, explaining possible causes and how to tackle the problem.
Most parents are at a loss as to how to handle the situation, when their teens won't talk to them, or don't know what's wrong with them.

"The symptoms of depression can appear during adolescence and may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and weight. Feelings of despair, hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness may also appear. Other signs include social withdrawal, trouble concentrating or remembering, suicidal thoughts or actions, and medically unexplained symptoms. When mental-health professionals suspect depression, they usually look for groups of symptoms that persist for weeks and that disrupt a person’s everyday life."

Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?

A very interesting topic!
A manifestation of the extreme pressures and expectations that are thrust upon young people today. If one can achieve, then that person will be celebrated, if one cannot achieve then that person will be counted as 'a loser'.

Interestingly, in another thread, the OP shows evidence that Jehovah Witness children achieve less academically than others, with a lower undergraduate degree success ratio.

I can tell you that JW youth in my area are contented, happy, busy, positive-thinking people, mostly employed in Trades such as electrical, plumbing, roofing., building, plastering, gardening work which fits with a less pressured academic life, resulting in a more profitable and happy existence in trades which might not suffer so much from IT incursion.

And, 'NO', I am not a JW, but an observer.
If you want your children to be successful offer support and assistance, and let them find their own academic level...... AND BE PROUD OF THEM.

 

[Stevicus]

I agree, but isn't it always the parents, the younger generation are going to be parents also, where the hell does it end ?.

It doesn't end.

 

[psychoslice]

It doesn't end.

Yes and no one is to blame.

 

[Notanumber]

Being able to express yourself without the fear of being branded a Nazi, if you say something that others deem to be un PC would help.

 

[Stevicus]

Yes and no one is to blame.

Yeah, although I don't see it as a question of "blame." Some of it is also cultural. In our culture, nobody is supposed to be sad. If someone is sad or depressed, it means there must be something wrong with them personally - and only them. Everyone around them is simply perfect, everything in society is perfect, and nobody can understand why this person who is well-provided for is unhappy. Even the parents don't know what to do, even though they're the ones who brought the kid into the world and have known them their entire lives - even they can't seem to figure out what's wrong. But that, just by itself, is very telling. How can parents not know their own kid and look back and assess the overall situation?

At least recalling from my own days as a troubled teen, if my own parents couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, it's only because they didn't care enough to try to find out. If they could have looked at the situation more honestly, that might have helped. It took me years to figure out and analyze it more objectively on an adult level - but a kid is not yet ready to process and understand all of that. That's what parents are for; they're supposed to be the adults. But if they're not very intelligent or informed adults, or if they're immature, or if they're otherwise messed up, then their kids will likely be messed up.

This is the elephant in the living room that few people want to discuss when it comes to issues related to troubled teens, since it ventures into "sacred ground" and sensitive territory. Parents get all indignant and say "How DARE you criticize how I raise MY kid!" But sometimes, you just gotta call a spade a spade.