Perhaps the most devastating blow on human health has been dealt by modern lifestyles. What is more alarming is that changes in society and the overall approach towards issues like life and success has had a great negative impact on our children. There are now more instances of teen depression than ever before.
Besides primary needs of food, clothing and shelter, humans have emotional needs that must also be met.
In traditional communities these basic needs were met naturally. Many traditional societies had a perfect system in place for providing community support to children where parents were too busy or out to work for survival.
With more nuclear families and the mad rush to succeed in material terms at all costs has led to a situation where the emotional needs of children are neglected. Child depression is a natural fall out from such indifference and ignorance and the issue has now become a reality that modern society has to grapple with.
Sometimes, behavioral changes in a teenager are ignored as parents feel that a problem child is acting out with a purpose of gaining attention or making a statement. Such instances can often be misunderstood and the fact that a child is suffering from teen depression can be missed.
Teen depression is a legitimate concern and a condition that is as important as any other physical ailment. It has serious consequences and is prone to recur and continue into adult life. Some of the immediate behavioral changes that you may see in your child if he/she is prone to depression are:
* Recreational drugs – Where parental support is not forthcoming, teens normally tend to look for relief from prolonged sadness and anxiety from inappropriate sources. Substance abuse like drugs and alcohol are common among depressed teens.
* Lack of confidence – Lack of self esteem is a prominent sign of depression. It can lead to an increase in negative feelings and self criticism.
* Eating disorders – Depression can lead to binge eating, obsessive dieting, anorexia (prolonged eating disorder due to loss of appetite) or bulimia (guilt and self condemnation after binge eating).
* Low academic performance – Low grades in school are not only a sign of depression but also a result of teen depression.
* Behavioral changes – Depression often leads teenagers to indulge in risky activities that cause injury or death. Teenagers tend to come to terms with depression by inflicting pain on them. Cutting, burning and banging the head against walls are common examples.
* Decisions – It becomes increasingly difficult for depressed teenagers to handle everyday decisions and pressures.
* Suicide – Suicide is the ultimate effect of a prolonged feeling of despondency. By the time depression leads to a suicidal tendency, the child has probably woven a web of hopelessness that refuses to go away. Unable to get out of it, the only solution that comes to mind is that of ending life. The first indication that suicide is being contemplated comes from talks of death. Immediate teen depression help should be sought even at the slightest hint.
Modern society has evolved in a way that individualism has gained precedence over everything else. It has become literally impossible for people to understand the importance of the wider community. It is high time that we all got out of this self centered approach and provide the emotional support that our children need.
References:
http://depression.emedtv.com/teen-depression/effects-of-teen-depression.html
http://depression.lifetips.com/tip/112321/coping-with-depression/coping-with-depression/effects-of-teenage-depression.html
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