Depression is just such a disheartening topic, and as such it has not been explored very far until recently. Adolescent depression is a real, serious mental disease with a scientific explanation; and hangs overhead like an ominous shadow.
To clarify the topic and distinguish it from related subjects: depression is not an emotion. Depression is in fact a disease of the mind, caused when neurotransmitter activity is imbalanced or insufficient. When the brain is stressed or under stimulated the transmission of neuro-electric charges, which re-balance the mood and behavior, is interrupted. Emotions however, can be caused by depression and are generally feelings of sadness or anger. The mind is a powerful thing, capable of creating that which is not there and destroying that which is believed to be true; and when that power is compromised in some way, the outcome can impact many people: grieving families, heroic emergency workers, and friends distanced by a long silence.
The imbalanced or insufficient neural activity can be caused be a wide range of factors from genetics to events in the life of the person. Genes passed down through the family can contain recessive alleles that cause neural instability. The loss of loved ones can also trigger depressing neural levels and consequently prompt depression; this is the most common cause of anger related depression. Social and family settings can also cause depression; kids who were not parented correctly have a higher rate of depression than those who were, poverty and situational living conditions also can increase the risk of depression. The last major cause of depression is also a symptom which can lead to a spiraling fall into chronic depression: Substance Abuse and Alcoholism. Drugs and alcohol influence the brains ability to send and receive information through the neurotransmitters and consequently can control the mood of the person. Drugs and alcohol are designed to control moods, to 'take the edge off' but even after the immediate effects of the substance wear off the brain is still crippled for a long time afterwards.
Symptoms of depression are potentially life threatening and commonplace at the same time. Everyone has felt sadness and anger, but when linked to depression these common emotions can become locked into the mood and persist for extended periods of time. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness and a general loss of self esteem are normal symptoms of depression and sometimes serve as a root for other symptoms to stem from. Pessimism and irritability, restlessness or an 'empty' feeling also are sometimes related to the causes of the physical symptoms; insomnia and oversleeping can become cyclical and can lead further to advanced stages of fatigue and decreased energy. A loss of interest in activities and hobbies, and a decreased capacity for memory and decision making powers can cause depressed individuals to seek new and increasingly entertaining pastimes.
Finally, eating disorders and substance abuse (either under eating or gorging) are also common. Dietary decisions can cause further worry about self image and appearance, as well as physical discomfort: upset stomach and digestive problems, aches and pains, headaches and cramps. Depression is a vicious disease that attacks the mental capabilities and compromises the body by forcing rash and disparate decisions that can spiral lower and lower until the victim finally craters into the harsh surface of reality and must try to find some help, or learn to cope with the ailment as best they can.
Generally depression is not something an individual is up to tackling on their own, because the ability to combat the disease is the same that the disease is feeding upon. Professional therapy and support from family and friends are the most effective forms of treatment in mild and chronic cases of depression; but for high risk cases antidepressants or other medication may be prescribed. Therapy and support can lead the depressed individual away from their misguided path and back to a healthy happy state of mind. Medication is generally used when the victim is deemed a threat to themselves or others and is prescribed to ease the depression sufficiently so that conventional treatment can resume. Suicide is the biggest threat for teenage depression victims ranking as the third highest cause of death amongst the age group of 18-24, behind automobile accidents and homicides. This high rate is indicative of the severity of the disease and the need for immediate treatment.
Depression is a mental disorder that is becoming a larger problem. Teens do not naturally reach out for help and can withhold strong emotions that can erupt suddenly and tragically. If not treated properly or in a timely manner depression can render its victim helpless and immobile, unable to live a normal healthy life.
