Teenage depression - causes and risk factors

Teenage depression - causes and risk factors

Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that manifests itself in both emotional and physical symptoms.

It affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.

It's not known exactly what causes depression, but a variety of issues may be involved.

These include:

  •  Brain chemistry.
  •  Hormones.
  •  Inherited traits.
  •  Early childhood trauma.

Risk factors

  •  Having issues that negatively impact self-esteem, such as obesity, peer problems, long-term bullying or academic problems
  •  Having been the victim or witness of violence, such as physical or sexual abuse
  •  Having other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, anorexia or bulimia
  •  Having a learning disability or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  •  Having ongoing chronic physical illness
  •  Having ongoing chronic pain

Family history and issues with family or others may also increase your teenager's risk of depression, such as:

  •  Having a parent, grandparent or other blood relative with depression, bipolar disorder or alcohol use problems
  •  Having a family member who died by suicide
  •  Having a family with major communication and relationship problems
  •  Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as parental divorce, parental military service or the death of a loved one

If you notice that a teenager has symptoms of depression, please do not waste time and consult a doctor.

Remember, against the background of untreated depression, the patient's health worsens, the risk of developing a number of diseases increases, and the quality of life decreases.

Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-
20350985