January 2022
Depression is genetic can start in childhood but generally begins to show itself in preschool years or puberty highlighting between the ages of 19 and 20 when they can be diagnosed and treated.
There are environmental factors that exacerbate pre-existing emotional problems generally accompanied by learning challenges.
Teenagers today as we know face many challenges from Covid and other health issues, to climate, to dealing with dysfunctional parents, being bullied, substance abuse and on and on.
Unable to find a job or afford college many teenagers drop out, stay home, or get involved in illegal activities to make money. The suicide rate is up.
It's a crazy upside down world that is broken which everybody knows. We can only hope that our teens find some solutions and ways of dealing with a growing trend of dysfunctionality that face them today.
child abuse - both physical and sexual
death of someone they love
loss or betrayal by a trusted friendship
low self-esteem
bullying or harassment at school or somewhere else
failure at schoolwork
feel little control over negative events
lack of social skills
learning disabilities
long-term illness
stressful life events, such as the loss of a parent to death or divorce
sadness, discouragement, and a loss of self-worth and interest in their usual activities
withdrawal and minimal communication
appetite changes -- usually a loss of appetite but sometimes an increase hence the overweight teen
eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia)
fatigue
anxiety disorders
lying
failure to do school work as depression leaves the brain unfocused
memory loss
difficulty making decisions and concentration
thoughts of suicide or death (often depicted in art work or poetry)
trouble sleeping, too much sleeping, or daytime sleepiness
acting out
substance abuse (self-medication)
feeling worthless, hopeless, sad, or self-hatred
criminal behavior such as shoplifting, selling drugs
many body perchings
strange hair dye
tattoos
pulling away from family and friends, spending more time alone
feelings of not belonging here, not connected, from another plac