Depression in Teens Have you ever wondered why some people do not act like they used to? Like they are a shell of whom they used to be? That person may be suffering from depression. Depression is a severe illness among many, especially in teens; one must understand what it may look like in teens, the dangers depression can have on a teen, and the treatment options available. Teen depression can look different for everyone, but similarities exist among them. Teens could have problems such as trouble with sleep, appetite changes, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, low self-esteem, feeling worthless/hopeless, and in worse cases, thoughts of death and suicide (Teens and Depression). With the symptoms listed above, a teen could struggle to do basic daily tasks, like brushing their teeth or eating breakfast. There are many cases where a teen may be depressed, but these symptoms are confused with teen mood changes that are more normal (Teen Depression). Teen behavior will also change; many may lose interest in activities that used to bring them …show more content…
In this book, one of the characters, Leon Tucker, suffers from depression. Before I did my research, it was hard to understand his actions and why he felt the way he did. For example, he would shut people out and not seem to do anything; he also quit doing gymnastics which he enjoyed and was good at it. Now I can see why he does this and would not open up to others about his depression. Further research also helped me see why people worried about him and wanted to help him even though he said he was fine. It may be hard to believe that a teen you know could be depressed and question why.
However, understanding what depression looks like, the dangers of depression, and the treatments for it, is vital to help teens. Knowing these topics will help teens in many ways. Teens’ mental health must know when and why they would need