I intend to make a film about teen depression, before I do this I need to understand and educate myself about depression, what it is, why it occurs, its symptons and gain information about teen depression.
What is depression
Depression is the feeling of extreme sadness, which can last for a long time. These feeling can be so severe it can then interfere and affect your daily life, and can last for weeks, months or even years.
Depression is an illness which involves your body, mood and thoughts. It can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. Its not the same as a bad mood, its not a sign of a personal weakness and it cannot be wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.
It is characterized by a pessimistic attitude, a lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed. Changes in weight and sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death and suicide call all occur.
Causes of depression can be divided into three broad groups - psychological, physical and social.
• Psychological - this is where a stressful or upsetting life event causes a persistent low mood, low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness about the future.
• Physical or chemical - depression is caused by changes in levels of chemicals in the brain. For example, your mood can change as hormone levels go up and down. This is often seen in women as it is associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth and the menopause.
• Social - doing fewer activities or having fewer interests can cause depression, or may happen because of depression.
Other causes of depression include:
• Family History - If you have a family history of depression, you are more likely to get depression yourself.
• drinking excess alcohol
• using recreational drugs - such as cannabis and cocaine, and
• taking some types of prescription medication - for example, propranolol can occasionally cause depression.
Symptoms of Depression include:
• Being unable to gain pleasure from activities that normally would be pleasurable.
• Losing interest in normal activities, hobbies and everyday life.
• Feeling tired all of the time and having no energy.
• Difficulty sleeping or waking early in the morning
• Having a poor appetite, no interest in food and losing weight (though some people overeat and put on weight – 'comfort eating').
• Losing interest in sex.
• Finding it difficult to concentrate and think straight.
• Feeling restless, tense and anxious.
• Being irritable.
• Losing self-confidence.
• Avoiding other people.
• Finding it harder than usual to make decisions.
• Feeling useless
• Feeling guilty about who you are and what you have done.
• Feeling hopeless – that nothing will make things better.
• Thinking about suicide – this is very common.
• Being unable to do simple things like read a book or watch TV
Teen Depression
Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and being occasionally miserable. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, homicidal violence or suicide.
There are many misconceptions about teenage depression, the teenage years are undoubtedly tough, but most teens are able to overcome it with good friendships, success at school or be involved in outside activities. However depression is something different it can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.
Teenage depression is in fact increasing, despite the fact that it can be treated experts say only 20% of depressed teens ever receive help.
Effects of teenage depression.
Problems at school
Depression can cause low energy and concentration difficulties. At school, this may lead to poor attendance, a drop in grades, or frustration with schoolwork in a formerly good student.
Running away
Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are usually a cry for help.
Substance abuse
Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.
Low self-esteem
Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness.
Eating disorders
Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression.
Internet addiction
Teens may go online to escape from their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and makes them more depressed.
Self-injury
Cutting, burning, and other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression.
Reckless behavior
Depressed teens may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, out-of-control drinking, and unsafe sex.
Violence
Some depressed teens (usually boys who are the victims of bullying) become violent. As in the case of the Columbine school massacre, self-hatred and a wish to die can erupt into violence and homicidal rage.
Suicide
Teens who are seriously depressed often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors should always be taken very seriously
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