Increasing depression in youth has become a matter of concern today.

The most prevalent mental health condition affecting both adults and teenagers in the US is depression.

In 2014, 2.8 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode.

Teen depression symptoms might be present in 10 to 15 percent of teenagers at any given moment.

At any given time, 5% of teenagers have serious depression.

Compared to roughly 5.3 percent of the general population, up to 8.3 percent of teenagers experience depression for at least a year at a time.An estimated 3.8% of the world’s population suffers from depression, with 5.0% of adults and 5.7% of persons over 60 years of age being affected.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is a mental disorder, usually described as a chronic feeling of sadness and a loss of interest.Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder.depression affects how you feel, think, and behave and also can cause a number of emotional and physical issues. The youth who are suffering from depression, they have to struggle even in doing their daily routine work and sometimes they feel that living their life is futile.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

Although you might only experience depression once in your lifetime, most people experience many attacks. A young person with depression may have the following symptoms, which may last throughout the day:

1. Irrational behaviour, irritation or frustration, especially about unimportant things.

2.Sadness, tears, emptiness, or a sense of failure

3.Depressive adult take less interest in daily regimen activities including sex, hobbies, and sports.

4.Sleep problems such excessive or irregular sleep.

5.Due to fatigue and a lack of energy, even simple tasks need more effort.

6.Teens with depression may not feel any hunger at all or feel extremely hungry.

7.Feelings of guilt or worthlessness, a fixation on mistakes made in the past, or self-blame.

8.Teens with depression may frequently or repeatedly have thoughts of suicide or death.

9.Problems with memory, concentration, decision-making and thought.

10.Undiagnosed physical issues like headaches or back pain.

RISK OF Depression in children and adolescents:

The typical signs and symptoms of depression in adolescents and teenagers are same as adult but there are some difference also..

Depression in early childhood might manifest as unhappiness, impatience, loss of self – control, anxiety, aches and pains, refusal to attend school, or underweight.

Teens may develop symptoms including being depressed, irritated, and feeling unworthy; they may also become very angry, they may perform poorly in school or feel misunderstood, they may become extremely sensitive or they may use alcohol and drugs recreationally, eating excessively, engaging in self-harm, losing interest in regular activities, and they dont take interest in social interaction.

Teenage suicide, which is the third-leading cause of death, is most frequently reported by untreated depression.

Untreated depression among teenagers increases their tendency for hazardous sexual conduct, which raises the prevalence of pregnancies and Sexually transmitted infections.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

Mind chemistry. Organic brain chemicals called neurotransmitters likely play a role in depression.Current studies suggest that alterations in these neurotransmitters’ effects and interactions with the neurocircuits responsible for preserving mood stability may have a substantial impact on depression.

Biological variations. Those who are depressed develop physical changes in their brains that can be observed. Although their symptoms is not yet clear.

Hormones. Depression may be caused on through or triggered by changes in the hormone balance in the body. In teen pregnancy Hormone shifts due to depression can be risky.

PREVENTION

There is no accumulate to stop depression. Yet, these methods might be useful.

To get through difficult times, reach out to family and friends, especially during critical times.

Seek help as soon as a problem arises to stop depression from getting worse.

To assist prevent a reappearance of symptoms, think about receiving long-term maintenance treatment.

Take action to manage your stress, build your strength, and improve your self-esteem.

Whereas to visit a doctor

If you’re feeling depressed, schedule an appointment with your physician or a mental health professional as soon as you can. Talk to a friend or family member, a doctor, a follower of your faith, or another person you can trust if you’re unsure whether to seek help.

When to seek emergency assistance

If you sense you might hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 in the United States or the local emergency number straight away.