The Hidden Monster

Teenagers are reputable for being moody and melodramatic. Many shows have been based and have capitalized on this particular fact. It is true, teenagers often have mood swings and take emotions to the extremes. Bouts of sadness or difficulty are often confused with being depressed. Vice versa is also true. Those truly suffering from depression believe its just a bout and they just need to get over it. They suffer in silence, not getting the treatment they deserve. Teenage depression is very real and needs to be taken seriously.

The World Health Organization defines depression as: "a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration." Depression affects roughly 121 million people worldwide. It is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. The majority of people who suffer from it never seek treatment.

The signs of depression found in an adult are very similar to that of regular teenage behaviour which makes distinguishing depressed teenage behaviour from that of regular behaviour difficult. Depression can cause teens to turn to drugs as a way to try and fix themselves. They constantly feel like they are in a pit of pain. They have heard from peers that drugs numb you. This idea of numbness can become very appealing. Suddenly drugs are a hope, an escape from the pain they are constantly in. In the worst cases, they move from soft drugs onto the hard ones. Once again in a search to numb the pain as the soft ones just won't cut it. Years later they end up addicted to these hard drugs and still depressed much worse off and less likely to go get treatment.

Another thing that depressed teens sometimes turn to is self harm. Self harm is a very misunderstood issue. Many people believe its only done by those "emo" weirdos. But it is believed that over ten percent of the teenage population participates in a form of self injury. Self injury varies from can be burning, cutting, pulling out hair or various other physical injuries. We know that when we get cut, endorphins are released as painkillers. Researchers believe that self-harm may be related to this release of endorphins. They feel the high of endorphins and it releases them from the pain, like a drug. Many teens claim that it works and helps them feel a lot better.

Do you know someone that you think might be suffering from depression or self harm? Talk to them. Think you don't know what to say? Just simply ask them what going on. Even more simply just care, be there to listen. They may not be willing to talk at first but just being there for them will do more than you believe. If they don't seem to be getting better, point them in the direction of treatment. Do something. You could save a life.