Adolescent Depression
... concentration, and a noticeable increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. Common emotional symptoms include feelings of dejection and hopelessness, withdrawal, and sometimes-suicidal thoughts. Physical symptoms include stomachaches and headaches. Clinical depression can last over 3 weeks. It is more common in females than males (2; 1 ratio). Causes for depression can range from the loss of a loved one, low self-esteem, or overwhelming stress. Another cause is a chemical imbalance in the brain of norepinephrine and serotonin. Depression is the number one mental health problem among teenagers. It is strongly linked to suicide. Depression in the adolescent age group is greatly untreated. For teenagers depression can cause difficulties in school, work, and social life. Unlike depression symptoms found in adults, adolescent symptoms are harder to identity. Symptoms of depression in teenagers include boredom, increased irritability and aggression, peer problems, and noticeable changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Mood disorders sometimes result because of depression. Many doctors think of depression as an i...