Teenage Depression is one of the common reasons teens resort to drug abuse. To help them manage the pressures of adolescence, they may turn to marijuana, alcohol, prescription drugs and even street drugs. As parents, we need to ensure that our teens do not succumb to the pressures and are away from the dangers of drug abuse.
First, it is important to determine the early signs of teenage depression. We need to be able to intervene early enough to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Common signs of teenage depression include frequent sadness or frequent crying. We need to understand, though, that there is a difference between sadness and depression. Everyone may experience sadness in a healthy way, as a normal reaction to an unfortunate event. Depression is the persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, fear, anger and many other negative emotions.
Decrease in energy, boredom, apathy and low interest in activities that used to be fun are other common signs. If your teen used to display a great passion for swimming but now finds it boring or tiresome, consider it as a warning sign. Most depressed teens no longer want to be with company, even with close friends whose presence they used to enjoy so much in the past.
Changes in sleeping and eating patterns as well as deteriorating school performance can be signs of depression. If your children are either oversleeping or not having enough sleep, or are eating too little or too much now, you need to check if something is bothering them. They may be undergoing teenage depression and may urgently need your help.