Mental Disorders: The Effects Of Depression On Teens

Depression. A mental illness that seems to be effecting twenty percent of the teenage population, just in North America (Smith, 2000, 6). Believed to be a disease that only affects the poor or a specific race, depression is a disorder that victimizes/victimized even the most popular of individuals, such as Marilyn Monroe. The research question that is explored in this essay, “What are the effects of depression?”, explains the many symptoms or results of depression for teens aged 10 -18. Many times these teens are unknowingly affected by this disorder as they are unaware of the many effects depression can cause. Furthermore, the three main aspects to this research question are the physical, emotional and behavioural effects of depression. The

The National Institute of Health (NIH) state that teens with depression feel sad, hopeless, worthless and find the negative aspect about everything (pessimistic) (Stannard, 2013, 1). These individuals lack confidence in themselves and “describe life as pointless, hopeless or unfair. They may say that no one loves them or grip that everything is boring or dumb” (Smith, 2000, 15). In addition, many people recognize depression as only feelings of sad, rather there are many other emotions effected teens feel. Many patients can become more irritated or agitated, which is a drastic change in emotions compared to the continuous feeling of sadness (Stannard, 2013, 1). Depressed teens also “have trouble thinking clearly, paying attention, or remembering things because their minds are filled with thoughts of sadness and guilt”. They also begin to have trouble making decisions since they do not want to make the wrong choices which might lead them into trouble (Goldberg, 2014, 1). Even making a small decision such as what to wear can be difficult to handle (Goldberg, 2014, 1). This is many times the reason to why depressed individuals begin to fall back at school or at work. Moreover, depressed patients feel guilty often about issues that are not in their control or their fault (Goldberg, 2014, 1). For example, teens can believe they are the reason for their parent’s divorce even though it was not their fault (Smith, 2000, 17). Feeling guilty is an emotion that many people are not aware that depressed individuals feel which is hard to hear since they have done nothing wrong, but yet they seek harsh punishment as they believe they are responsible for problems and issues that arise (Smith, 2000, 15). Additionally, when the emotions guilt and worthlessness begin to escalate, often times teens think suicidal thoughts (Stannard, 2013, 1). They feel as if “the world would be