Causes Of Teenage Depression Essay

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May Not Be What It Appears Today, many young adults face teenage depression. Teenage depression can be caused by a plethora of triggers. Often thought to be the result of the stress of school performance, social status with peers, sexual orientation, or family life, teenage depression can also be caused by other more significant factors (Teen Depression). Frequently other causes of teenage depression are overlooked, but are important factors to the development of depression in teens. According to an article written by Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, “Rather, people with this illness tend to have a number of biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors that contribute to its development” (What Is Teen Depression). Factors that cause …show more content…

The body is regulated by a variety of chemical secretions and hormones, specifically neurotransmitters and hormones such as those secrete during puberty. In the body neurotransmitters are key chemicals in the brain that affect how brain cells communicate with one another. These hormones and neurotransmitters play important roles in regulating moods and behavior, which is why they could lead to depression in teenagers (Teen depression). Imbalances in these neurotransmitters cause improper communication between brain cells which results in altered behaviors and moods. Usually this disproportion leads to an unhappy mood, also known as depression. Another component of biological factors includes hormones. Hormones in the body significantly fluctuate throughout the duration of puberty, resulting in modifying moods of young adults. In an article issue by the Canary Club, it …show more content…

Environmental stresses can range anywhere from trauma like verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, school problems, or being the victim of bullying or peer pressure (Teen Depression). All of these dynamics in life of an already evolving individual both mentally and physically can stem the development of teenage depression. According to Mayo Clinic, “Traumatic events during childhood, such as physical or emotional abuse, or loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that make a person more susceptible to depression” (Teen Depression). Abuse in the forms of verbal, physical, or sexual alter the mental status of person leaves a permanent mental scar that can never be mended, forming a platform for future depression during the teenage years. Events in teen’s life such as losing a loved one such as a parent or grandparent may make changes to the brain bring about depression stemmed from the lack of that figure in the individual’s life. The absence of that person or the mental effects resulting from the loss leaves a teenager vulnerable to developing depression. Sexual orientation may also influence the development of depression, as well as family situations in the home. According to Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, “Gay teens are at higher risk for depression, thought to be because of the bullying by peers and potential rejection by family members. Teens in military families have been found to

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