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Understanding Teen Depression and its Causes
By Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA.
Teenage depression is a serious mental health problem that often goes untreated, especially among teens and in the United States. As a psychiatrist who has worked with thousands of depressed American teenagers, I hope this article sheds some light on this complex disorder, its causes, and how you can best support your child.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in usual activities. For teenagers, the dark fog of sleepless nights spent tossing and turning crowds out thoughts and renders them unable to concentrate on their schoolwork. The morning light brings little relief and even less hope. Depression drains energy from the body and soul until the afflicted feel as if they can no longer move. Depression is the darkness before dawn.
Some common symptoms of depression in teens are:
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Irritability, anger, or hostility
- Sleep disturbances