Holden and Depression
Holden and Depression
Major depression (also called “clinical” or “severe” depression) is a mental disorder characterized by abnormally low moods that last for at least two weeks. Depression is the most common mental disorder and, according to the American Psychological Association, approximately 20 percent of teenagers will go through at least one episode of teen depression by the time they graduate high school. Episodes of teen depression generally last about 8 months. Teen depression can affect a teen regardless of gender, race, social background, or school, though teenage girls report suffering from depression more often than teenage boys. Teenage boys are less likely to seek help or recognize that they suffer from depression, probably due to different social expectations for boys and girls. Girls are encouraged to express their feelings while boys are not. Some causes of teen depression are abuse or conflict at home, being bullied at school, chronic illness, family history of depression, hormonal changes, low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and stressful life events (a break-up, divorce, death of a loved one, etc.). Symptoms of depression include agitation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, apathy, and loss of interest in daily activities and hobbies. Symptoms also include change in personality, changes in appetite accompanied by weight fluctuations, constant fatigue and lack of energy. Also, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, low self-esteem, sadness and suicidal thoughts. There are additional symptoms not observed in adults with depression. This includes sleep disturbances, cutting or other forms of self-harm, eating disorders, isolation from family and friends, poor performance at school or work, substance abuse, and violent and/or criminal behavior. Anyone suffering from depression can also suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and diarrhea that do not respond to regular
Major depression (also called “clinical” or “severe” depression) is a mental disorder characterized by abnormally low moods that last for at least two weeks. Depression is the most common mental disorder and, according to the American Psychological Association, approximately 20 percent of teenagers will go through at least one episode of teen depression by the time they graduate high school. Episodes of teen depression generally last about 8 months. Teen depression can affect a teen regardless of gender, race, social background, or school, though teenage girls report suffering from depression more often than teenage boys. Teenage boys are less likely to seek help or recognize that they suffer from depression, probably due to different social expectations for boys and girls. Girls are encouraged to express their feelings while boys are not. Some causes of teen depression are abuse or conflict at home, being bullied at school, chronic illness, family history of depression, hormonal changes, low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and stressful life events (a break-up, divorce, death of a loved one, etc.). Symptoms of depression include agitation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, apathy, and loss of interest in daily activities and hobbies. Symptoms also include change in personality, changes in appetite accompanied by weight fluctuations, constant fatigue and lack of energy. Also, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, low self-esteem, sadness and suicidal thoughts. There are additional symptoms not observed in adults with depression. This includes sleep disturbances, cutting or other forms of self-harm, eating disorders, isolation from family and friends, poor performance at school or work, substance abuse, and violent and/or criminal behavior. Anyone suffering from depression can also suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and diarrhea that do not respond to regular