HYDERABAD: Adolescence is a very difficult time and a time of many changes. It can be a very turbulent and difficult phase no matter how well-adjusted a teenager may be. Young people are prone to bouts of depression as well. This is due to the fact that many a times they do not know how to manage the emotional difficulties that they face. In some cases, suicides are also common.
This is a very crucial phase in the life of an adolescent and therefore, care must be taken to ensure that any signs of depression are noticed and treated in a timely manner. There are many reasons why teenagers today suffer from depression.
Academic Stress
Academic stress is one of the most important factors leading to depression. There is a lot of parental and peer pressure on teenagers today to succeed and be the best in all that they do. With the cost of higher education going up, parents rely on scholarships, which in turn means additional pressure on students. This stress over classes, grades, and tests can make a teenager depressed.
Peer Pressure
Adolescence is a time when the teens wish to emulate what impresses them. This could even mean outward beauty, or anything else that gives them a sense of freedom and liberation. They wish to be popular in their circle and feel accepted, the lack of which can lead to depression.
Relationships
It is but natural for teens to be attracted to the opposite sex in this age. Breakups, unrequited affection, and the like are direct gateways for depression in teens today.
Divorcing Parents
Parents getting divorced is a common thing nowadays. In earlier days, the joint family system ensured that any relationship issues between parents were sorted out and children had a buffer in the form of grandparents and other relatives. Today, in the absence of such a cushion, a divorce between parents or the entry of a step parent can upset the emotional well-being of children and cause depression. Even if the teen is fiercely independent, the lack of attention from parents can also cause depression.
Heredity
Depression can be a genetic issue as well. Chances are that if a parent or a family member suffers from depression, the children of the family can too.
Self- Esteem
Teenage is not only a time of hormonal changes but changes in the body as well. Change in body structure, pimples, etc. can affect the self-confidence of a teen, which can further lead to depression.
Social media
In today's day and age, social media has to be the single largest contributor to depression among teens. Every single activity or picture is posted on social media and assessed by the number of likes and comments received.
Teenagers seem to seek social acceptance through social media, the lack of which can lead to depression. Needless to say, depression is bound to set in under such trying circumstances.
It is essential to consult a medical professional or specialist about any concerns regarding one’s emotional well-being, especially if one suspects that the teenager in their house may be suffering from depression. It should be understood that depression is a very real affliction and requires timely treatment.
Along with intervention by a specialist, a lot of family support, balance, and the right kind of guidance are needed to help the teenager get over this condition.