Teenage blues? It could be sign of depression

By Mohamoud Merali

Some studies suggest that approximately four out of 100 teenagers get seriously depressed each year. The actual figure could be much higher, as not all depressed people seek professional help and treatment.

We all feel sad or blue now and then, but if you’re sad most of the time, and it’s giving you problems with school grades or relationships with family and friends, then it would be depression. Other signs include loss of confidence, lack of motivation or joy in life. Family issues such as physical abuse and violence in the home, lead to increased risk for anxiety disorders and depression.

In a study of 8,984 Norwegian adolescents (aged 13-19), those with a family history of divorce and parental distress were more vulnerable to symptoms of anxiety than those without such distress.

The presence of an anxiety disorder is not only a cause for concern but it is also significant as many of these disorders persist into young adulthood.

Having depression doesn’t mean that a person is weak or a failure. It means they need treatment.

Talk about feelings

Counselling is effective in treating mild to moderate depression, and is often combined with medication in more severe cases.

Counselling, or psychotherapy, means talking about feelings with a trained psychologist, who can help you change the relationships, thoughts, or behaviour that are causing the depression.

Don’t wait, ask your parents, or your school counsellor for help today.

When depression interferes with your life in an overwhelming way, medication might be necessary. With treatment, most depressed people start to feel better in just a few weeks.