What is teenage depression and how to get out of it

Classification of depression

There are four main types of depression in adolescents.

1. Reactive. The most common type in adolescents. Often appears as a result of the loss of close relatives or after the divorce of parents.
2. Melancholic. A depressed state, a feeling of melancholy, loss of interests, lack of an active lifestyle, appetite decreases, reactions become inhibited, sleep disturbances appear, the menstrual cycle in girls may be disrupted, and suicidal tendencies may appear.
3. Anxious. The child is constantly in a state of panic, confusion, and thanatophobia is present.
4. Dysthymia. The condition is chronic, vague symptoms are present, and depression can persist for many years.

Depression often occurs in melancholic individuals and has a bad effect on social adaptation.

Teenage depression can manifest itself in different ways depending on the characteristics of the individual child. Based on this, types of teenage depression are distinguished.

1. The teenager is a mystery. A situation where parents practically do not notice changes in their child, in his psychological state.
2. Screen. Outwardly, the teenager looks absolutely satisfied, his condition seems to be good. In fact, there is a suffering personality hiding inside.
3. Rebel. An example of prolonged depression. Such a child will love himself very much, he is characterized by an inflated ego. However, he does not value life, it annoys him.
4. Zombie. A teenager becomes fixated on a certain activity, for example, surfing the Internet. The ideal way out in such a situation is to direct all the child’s energy in the right direction, for example, to play sports.
5. Victim. The teenager feels useless, flawed, does not see the meaning of his life, and often ends up committing suicide.
6. Problems. Such a child can study quite normally at school, however, he will be a bore who will pester teachers by asking stupid questions. This may not affect the family, but there will be no emotional contact with the parents.

How depression manifests itself in girls

Statistics show that teenage girls are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression than boys. This is explained by the sensitivity of the emotional sphere. Girls pay more attention to their appearance, so depression is often caused by dissatisfaction with their face and body.

In addition to the general features, there are features:

• refusal to eat;
• inducing vomiting after eating;
• interest in the stories of thin models;
• tantrums about appearance;
• anorexia;
• discomfort in the lower abdomen;
• prolonged and painful periods;
• late onset or irregularity of the menstrual cycle.

Girls aged 15-16 years old in a depressed state show secrecy and push their feelings inside. They relieve tension through promiscuity, which aggravates the problem and complicates the way out of the crisis.

Possible reasons

Family quarrels can lead to depression in teenagers

1. Unfavorable family environment, presence of antisocial parents. There may also be a divorce, the death of one of the parents, the presence of addictions, lack of attention, and constant scandals.
2. Hormonal changes. Do not forget that in adolescence, changes occur in the body, which can lead to increased excitability, anxiety, and nervousness.
3. Teenage maximalism, self-centeredness, inconsistency with reality.
4. Personal experiences. Breaking up with a loved one, boyfriend or girlfriend, unrequited love, unsuccessful first sexual experience.
5. Problems in appearance, complex. This is especially true for teenage girls who react too sharply to every pimple and extra kilogram.
6. Social status and material security, lack of opportunity to eat normally, receive all the necessary vitamins and microelements, lack of financial resources.
7. Poor performance, failures in school life, ridicule of classmates, their mockery.
8. Increased demands from parents, excessive control, strict punishments for mistakes.
9. Heredity. If there is a history of depressive disorders in the family, the child's risk of developing depression increases.

Many teenagers suffer from loneliness, they do not find support from their peers, and their parents do not understand them. Because of this, cases of depression are common.

What should parents do?

The family atmosphere is very important for the formation of the child’s psyche. Parents will always pay attention to their child’s unusual behavior. But what exactly should you do if you have problems with your studies or school friends?

If you notice signs of depression, experts advise the following:

· Talk in a comfortable environment for him. Try to find out what exactly caused the concern and this result.

· Help strengthen his self-esteem. Show him how important and meaningful he is to you and those around you.

· Find out about his hobbies, what he is interested in, what he does while you are at work.

· Limit custody, make him feel that you trust him.

· Give the right to choose, do not decide everything for him.

· Try not to criticize, but to direct them to the right action.

· Avoid high-pitched conversations, try not to conflict.

· Find a common interest - this could be an evening walk together, or riding bicycles, or playing football. Attend master classes: draw and create.

Psychologists advise finding as many common points as possible. It is important for a child to feel supported and cared for. But do not forget that increased guardianship will only harm and complicate the situation.

Always sincerely say that you love, appreciate and respect him. Warm and trusting relationships in the family are the key to good mental health of all its members.

If you understand that the situation is beyond your control, do not delay visiting a specialist.

Characteristic manifestations

Isolation and feeling of emptiness can be manifestations of depression

Symptoms of depression include:

• apathetic mood;
• increased fatigue, lack of strength;
• academic performance declines;
• tearfulness, melancholy;
• devastated state;
• rudeness, irritability, anger;
• disturbing dreams or insomnia;
• increased anxiety, worries;
• gluttony or, conversely, lack of appetite;
• isolation from friends;
• the emergence of feelings of guilt;
• isolation, desire to be alone;
• decreased self-esteem;
• forgetfulness;
• irresponsibility;
• pain of a different nature, as somatic manifestations.

Parents should know what signs may indicate suicidal thoughts in teenagers:

• lack of goals in life, plans for the future;
• talking about one's worthlessness and uselessness;
• browsing relevant forums and websites;
• writing a suicide note;
• apathy, loss of all interests;
• self-harm;
• dark drawings;
• hysterical fits;
• threats of one's own murder.

Age characteristics

1. Teenager 13-17 years old. Behavior may change dramatically, the child will become hot-tempered, stop studying, start being rude, smoking, consuming illegal drugs, while the teenager will not see that there is a problem.
2. From 14 to 16 years old. Development of hypochondria, regular complaints about poor health. At the same time, the child does not refuse to take medications. At the same time, his health condition does not improve, as it is based on psychosomatics.
3. From 12 to 15 years. Difficulties in learning arise, the teenager cannot concentrate in lessons, memory deteriorates, chronic fatigue occurs, social circle is limited, lack of interest in hobbies, and reluctance to leave the house.

Signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers

Psychologists state that it is not easy to distinguish depression from simple melancholy or moodiness.

Emotional and behavioral signs:

• unmotivated outbursts of anger, irritability and resentment;
• apathy, melancholy, crying, followed by excitement and euphoria;
• indifference to what is happening;
• complaints about insolvency, worthlessness, painful reaction to comments;
• gloomy thoughts about the uselessness of life, about death as an escape from problems;
• problems with attention, forgetfulness, indecisiveness, anxiety;
• provocative behavior and unjustified risk;
• isolation and hostility towards others.

Treatment

After the child is examined by a specialist, medications may be prescribed:

• Adaptol;
• Glycine - improves memory;
• Children's Tenoten - this remedy will help calm an overexcited mental state, concentrate, improve learning skills at school, and will not cause lethargy and drowsiness.

The doctor can also advise how to get out of depression using traditional methods.

1. Ginseng infusion. Take the leaves of the plant roots, pour boiling water (one glass) over them, and leave for an hour. The teenager is given a tablespoon to drink three times a day.
2. Mint tea. An excellent sedative. Must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. You can brew it like regular tea.
3. Taking herbal baths. For this purpose, you can use pine needles, chamomile, and lavender. An infusion of herbs is made in advance, which is then added to the water when bathing.
4. Treatment can be carried out with the help of tasty treats. You can give your child chocolate and sweets. These products evoke positive emotions. The main thing is to know moderation in everything so as not to provoke the development of allergies.

Advice from psychologists

When parents are unable to cope with a teenager’s depression, they need to seek help from a psychologist.

1. Having a positive example. The child is told about people who should become a guide for him. For example, you can show his peers who have already achieved great success. However, a parallel must be drawn so as not to aggravate the situation and develop an inferiority complex.
2. Increased self-esteem. Often the development of depression is caused by low self-esteem. Therefore, you will have to make every effort to make the child believe in his importance. Sometimes it’s worth contacting a psychologist who can help you work on this. If a teenager is worried about problems with his figure, you can send him to the gym, if because of acne, you can visit a cosmetologist.
3. Family help. It is very important that a teenager who is depressed has supportive parents who are not indifferent to his fate. You need to surround your child with your care and love.
4. It is necessary to properly organize a teenager’s leisure time. If a child spends a lot of time in some sections, in particular sports or creative ones, then he will not have depressive thoughts. The main thing is that the section is chosen taking into account the opinion of the teenager, and not according to the wishes of the parents.
5. It is important to create a trusting relationship with your children, not to put pressure on them, not to control them unnecessarily, and to refuse overprotection.
6. It is important to do everything to strengthen the self-esteem of your son and daughter and encourage their aspirations. Rejoice at the child’s successes, praise him, even for the slightest victories.
7. Respect your teenager’s decisions and allow them to choose their own hobbies.
8. Be interested in the life of your offspring, do not conflict with him.
9. Show from your own experience how to cope with difficult situations in life.

Now you know what depression is in teenagers. As you can see, this condition cannot remain without the attention of parents. It is very important to promptly identify the presence of depression and, if necessary, seek help from a psychologist. Avoid this condition to avoid negative consequences.