Depression in Teenagers

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Depression in Teenagers

Depression is the most common mental illness in the country today. Teenagers are easy prey for this disease. They are at a point in their lives when they must face important transitions and peer pressures. They are trying to understand themselves and where they fit in society, all of which can lead to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a period when children and parents suffer from poor communication: teenagers often keep their true feelings and concerns from their parents and other authority figures. Therefore, recognizing depression in teenagers can be difficult for adults. However, it is crucial that adolescents with depression get help. For this reason, I would like to find out how parents can tell if their children are depressed. I have personal experience with this topic, as well. I hid my feelings and remained in denial of my problems for many years, until my mother finally confronted me about what she had observed. Understanding the signs of depression in children can save their lives.

I began my search by looking at the WebMD website. This site provides information on a wide variety of health issues. I looked up depression and found a link to adolescent depression. The site offered an overview of the disease, possible causes, symptoms, and treatments. I concentrated on the symptoms section. The WebMD site also provided other websites to try for related information. I chose the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry site for my next resource. Here I was also able to find a list of possible symptoms of depression and signs of suicidal tendencies in adolescents.

Next, I went to the Penn State LIAS databases and looked for articles o...

... middle of paper ...

...ce at getting the help they need to overcome this disorder.

Works Cited

Battle, Judy Shepps. “Current Trends in Treating Adolescent Depression.” 2002.

About Teen Depression. 25 March 2004 depression.com/trends-treatment.html>. “Being Prepared.” September 1999. American Academy of Child and Adolescent

Psychiatry. 15 March 2004 factsfam/whenhelp.htm>. Brody, Jane E. “Teenage Depression Often Evades Diagnosis.” Houston

Chronicle. 29 December 2002: 3.

“Depression in Childhood and Adolescence.” 22 April 2003. WebMD Inc.

15 March 2004 .

Frank, Gail. Personal interview. 17 March 2004.

“Teen Suicide.” November 1999. American Academy of Child and Adolescent

Psychiatry. 15 March 2004
factsfam/suicide.htm>.

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