5 Causes of Depression in Teenagers

Depression is a mental health condition that can manifest itself in many ways, such as pessimistic or self-destructive behavior, a lack of interest in life and even suicide attempts. From an adult's perspective, the life of a teen may seem free from the responsibilities and financial concerns that are common causes of stress and depression, but there are many other factors that can contribute to depression among teens.

Family                                  

A teen's environment at home plays a large role in their mental and emotional development. If parents place a lot of pressure on teens, forcing them to partake in extracurricular activities, leaving little time for fun or friends, it may contribute to depression. A harmful home environment, such as abusive parents or inadequate support from parents may also contribute to depression. The religious and political views of a family are another possible source of stress in teens.

School

Problems with school can contribute greatly to depression among teenagers. There is often a lot of pressure on teens to perform well in classes from parents and teachers, so a failure to meet those expectations can cause emotional strain. Also, teens are often aware of the grades of other students---struggling with material that other students find easy can create feelings of inadequacy, which may contribute to depression.

Relationships

Teen relationships, both romantic and friendships, are a potential source cause of a depressed mental state. Teens are usually inexperienced in relationships, and may not have the emotional maturity to appropriately handle complex problems. Teens are prone to deep infatuation and feelings of love, so a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend can cause tremendous emotional stress, which may lead to depression.

Social Status

Teenagers face complex social environments, where the desire to fit in to a certain group can be of overriding importance. If a teen is rejected by a group that they want to fit into, or prohibited from being a part of a certain social group by a parent, it can contribute to depression. Pressure to wear certain clothes and maintain a certain style can also increase stress among teens, especially if that style is difficult to maintain due to their family's socio-economic status.

Bullying

Bullying is another factor that can cause depression among teens. Being picked on by a bully creates feelings of weakness and inadequacy and can make a teen afraid to go to school. Fear of being bullied can become thought consuming, causing the teen to lose focus on classes and activities that they enjoy. Since boys are often taught to be strong and not to express emotion, boys that are bullied may keep their problem a secret, allowing emotional stress to build, which can feed depression.

5 Causes of Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is a diagnosed condition in which a patient has negative feelings, low energy, and a general disinterest for most life activities. The disorder typically interferes with normal daily functions and can reach the depths of suicidal thoughts and, unfortunately, completion. Although it affects some 18 million Americans each year, there are a variety of possible causes for major depressive disorder.  

Personality                      

A University of Washington study conducted by the late psychology professor Neil Jacobsen revealed that personality type may play a major role in major depressive disorder. 78 people diagnosed with depression at least two years prior were studied and treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. During that therapy, their personality types were inventoried, and 44 percent of those patients had relapsed into depression. The people who were more likely to relapse were those who had aggressive personality types or had little dependence on other people. Researchers postulated that both personality types would leave little room for a social support system.  

Cultural Influence                      

Cultural influences and expectations could cause a major depressive disorder, according to the book "Ethnicity and Family Therapy" as edited by Monica McGoldrick, et al. Some cultures outside of America emphasize the man as the main breadwinner. If a family immigrated to America and the father was unable to find a line of work in his field while the mother was able to make money with her hobbies and skills, it wouldn't be uncommon to find depression in the father. The inability to adapt to a host country lifestyle can also trigger depression.

Substance Abuse Withdrawal                      

Substance abuse withdrawal can trigger the onset of major depressive disorder. Abuse of amphetamines or cocaine can flood the brain with pleasurable neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine. When these feelings end, abusers tend to search for the next high to keep those levels up. During withdrawal, when those pleasure neurotransmitters are lower than average, it isn't uncommon for a patient to have feelings of depression or have a major depressive episode.

Learned Helplessness                              

According to behavioral theory, humans can be driven by rewards given as a result of their actions. Major depressive disorder can be viewed in this light. Some patients, consciously or not, can become depressed if it gives them a rewarding feeling, such as attention from family and friends. This can be especially true for patients who wouldn't otherwise receive it.                              

Medical Conditions                                  

Sometimes other medical conditions can lend themselves to depression. Cancer in particular can cause depression. A major depressive disorder can be brought if the condition is terminal and the patient not ready to die. Body image, continuous medical treatment and paying for those treatments can all lead to depression.

5 Natural Cures For Depression

Depression and anxiety affect millions of people each year in the United States alone. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of apprehension and worry, depression by feelings of sadness and "the blues." If these feelings are severe you should seek professional help from a counselor or psychologist. However, there are a number of natural remedies you can try to alleviate milder symptoms.

Water and Diet

Drink lots of water and avoid processed foods. Typical American diets incorporate far more junk food than is healthy for us. All this processed food contains bunches of unhealthy additives that can overload and stress our bodies. By eating a diet of fresh fruits and veggies and drinking several glasses of water each day we give our bodies a chance to cleanse and release toxins. A healthier body can cope with depression and anxiety better than a stressed and unhealthy body.

Get Moving

Aerobic exercise releases natural pleasure chemicals in our bodies that fight depression and anxiety. If you are not already exercising start slowly and build up to a routine that includes at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise almost every day.

Water and Diet

Drink lots of water and avoid processed foods. Typical American diets incorporate far more junk food than is healthy for us. All this processed food contains bunches of unhealthy additives that can overload and stress our bodies. By eating a diet of fresh fruits and veggies and drinking several glasses of water each day we give our bodies a chance to cleanse and release toxins. A healthier body can cope with depression and anxiety better than a stressed and unhealthy body.

Be Thankful

No matter how difficult our lives get there is always something to be thankful for. Focusing on what we are thankful for takes the focus off whatever we are anxious or depressed about. Keeping a gratitude list, a list of things you are thankful for, in your purse or wallet or on the door of your fridge can help keep you focused and moving away from depression and anxiety.

Forgive People

This can be a tough but research from the last few years proves that being able to forgive the people who wrong us is healthy for us. You may not be able to do this all at once but just resolving to work on it can be a step in the right direction.



WARNING: If your symptoms of depression or anxiety do not subside or get worse, please consult a professional counselor or psychologist.

How to Treat Alcoholism And Depression

Alcoholism and depression are two serious ailments that many people suffer from. If a person suffers from both, treatment and recovery can be a difficult process, but it is not impossible. If you or someone you love is suffering from these ailments, understanding them and learning about treatment may help in recovering from both of these illnesses.

How To Treat Teenage Depression Naturally

The very nature of adolescence is filled with unexplained mood swings and irrational thinking but sometimes the typical teenage angst becomes something else. Periods of sadness or anger that begin to interfere with daily functioning and symptoms that seem overwhelming can often be treated without the need for medication. There are many natural methods to fight teenage depression and warrant a try before the use of psychotropic medications.

Depression, Anger & Rage Symptoms

Depression is a condition can affect anyone at any time in their lives. Depression goes beyond the usual emotional ups and downs that are a normal part of life. Left untreated or undiagnosed, severe depression can drive people to suicide. Other common psychological disorders related to depression are related to anger management and fits of rage. To treat these conditions, it's important to know the symptoms to diagnose them.

5 Steps to Tell if You Have Bipolar Disorder

Have you ever wondered if you have bipolar disorder, or have been told that you may have it? Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder affecting about 1-2% of the population, commonly manifested as elevated mood alternating with depressed mood. This article will help you determine whether you, or people you care about, meet the diagnostic criteria to have bipolar disorder.

How to Use Anti Depression Foods Against Depression

Anti depression foods are those foods that provide an uplift to your mood and naturally battle depression. There are two types of anti depression foods, those that increase your energy through key nutrition and those that elevate your mood through essential amino acid. 
                                                              

 Foods that are high in anti depression vitamins.

The B group of vitamins is often deficient in victims of depression. So key anti depression foods are those that are high in these nutrients: Riboflavin or B2, Niacin or B3, Folic acid or B12, Biotin or B15, and Pyridoxine or B6. So a beginning list of anti depression foods should include: green leafy vegetables, fish, almonds, avocados, oranges, strawberries, yogurt, sweet potatoes and broccoli.

                                  

 Foods that are high in the anti depression amino acid.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which the body cannot produce. It has to be procured from foods. Tryptophan is used to produce the key anti depression brain chemical Serotonin. Serotonin is a mood elevator and a lack of Serotonin leads to depression. Turkey is the best known tryptophan food, but fish, chicken, pork chops, cheese, soy (including soy milk), bananas, spinach, and beans. Foods that contain both tryptophan and anti depression vitamins give you both benefits: fish, soy, nuts, avocados, and cheese are good examples.   
                              

 Fill your diet with anti depression foods.

Many experts suggest eating a small snack of anti depression foods a half an hour before you eat a meal. This allows the essential vitamins and amino acid to be digested on its own to help absorption. But you can also add these foods into your diet at every level.

                                  

Consider adding anti depression supplements.

Look for a one a day vitamin that includes folic acid, riboflavin, and niacin. Some studies indicate that the reason for the lack of these nutrients may be difficulty in absorption rather than diet. If this is the case supplements will be key.













Tips & Warnings

  

• Discuss any anti depression foods with your doctor if you are on depression medications.
• Always consult a physician before adding supplements to your diet if you are on medication, and do not take more than the recommended dose.
• Combining these diet changes with increase in exercise, daily sun exposure for fifteen minutes, and contact with mood elevating persons can greatly reduce the symptoms of depression.

   

  

How to Apply the DSM4 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is the most common type of depression found in the general population. Characterized by constant feelings of sadness and hopelessness, major depressive disorder interferes with a person's enjoyment of life. It can also have a negative impact on a person's day-to-day responsibilities. The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM4) has a list of criteria one can apply to accurately recognize major depression.   



 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Instructions                              

How long depressive symptoms have been present?
 The DSM4 criteria states that major depression is likely only if the symptoms have been constant for longer than 2 weeks.

                                  

 Recognize the symptoms.

 According to the DSM4, a person has to experience either a depressed mood or a loss of interest in pleasurable activities for major depression to be considered as a possible diagnosis.

                              

 Learn whether someone has been abusing drugs or alcohol. 

If this is the case, then any symptoms of depression may be a result of that abuse. Using the DSM4 criteria, this means major depression is not likely.

                                  

Negative Effects

Watch for any negative effects the depression symptoms may have on a person's work, school or family life. Depression that interferes in any of these things falls under the DSM4 criteria for major depression.               

                                  

 Keep abreast of major life change.

 The death of a loved one, a divorce, a major move or disruption in a person's career can all cause short-term depression. Under the DSM4 criteria, depression caused by any of these events would not be considered major depressive disorder.

                                  

The number of depression symptoms a person is experiencing. 

For the DSM4 criteria to apply, a person must have at least five of the following symptoms: change of appetite, weight loss not related to diet, insomnia, fatigue, impaired motor skills, daily feelings of low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating and suicidal thoughts.

  

  
Tips & Warnings

                              

    While almost anyone can apply the DSM4 criteria to recognize major depressive disorder, only a qualified mental health professional can make an official diagnosis.                              

    If a person has experienced depression brought on by major life changes and this depression lasts for more than 2 months, then it may be considered major depression under the DSM4 criteria.