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Causes And Signs Of Anxiety And Depression In Adolescence

By Tess Thompson

Anxiety and depression in adolescence has been on the increase of late. A fairly significant 5 percent of the kids and teens population suffers from clinical depression. This clinical anxiety and depression should be understood as different from the loose manner in which we tend to use the words anxiety and depression. Depression is the extended feeling of sadness, hopelessness, pessimism and despair that desists the adolescent from carrying about normal daily activities required in life.

The causes for anxiety and depression have not been identified unambiguously but there are certain factors that are known to increase the probability of anxiety and depression in adolescents. The first of these causes that has been researched and established as one that determines the risk of anxiety and depression in adolescents is heredity.

The National Institute of Mental Health claims in a press release that depression is 40 to 70% inheritable. Experiences in the past that are linked to a major loss or setback can also trigger anxiety and depression in adolescence. Circumstances like the death of a close friend, parent or sibling, rejection from peer group chronic illness, psychological or sexual abuse and a physical disorder may lead to a higher probability of being afflicted with anxiety and depression.

Though there are medications available to ensure anxiety relief and depression management, these medications are not free from side effects and can cause more harm then help especially among adolescents. Natural treatments for anxiety are a much better option that can be sure to provide risk free solutions.

The first thing however is to understand the key symptoms that can give you the first indications of anxiety and depression in your teens. If these individual or combinations of symptoms persists for more than a period of 2 weeks, you should take action and probably use a Beck Depression Inventory to access the severity of the case.

A depressed teen will show signs of an all-consuming sadness that leads to a feeling of emptiness and low self-esteem. Depressed teens tend to withdraw and cocoon themselves in a shell of their own. They loose interest in activities that they used to enjoy earlier.

On the physical aspect, they may develop an eating disorder and either loose appetite or become anorexic. They may feel that they are tired all the time and as if someone has sucked out all life from them. This leads to a feeling of dejection and failure.

The physical manifestations of anxiety and depression in adolescents lead to many psychological issues. Concentration levels decrease and a sense of hopelessness and being worthless surfaces. A nagging fear of being abandoned by friends, relatives and parents constantly hounds these teens and at times results in panic attacks.

The severity may reach a level where the teen may talk about suicide and delve on the subject for too long. The effect of anxiety and depression in adolescence has far more outreaching consequences. The effects lead to a lack of interest in hygiene, intermittent and short periods of crying, increased and sudden irritable bouts and aggression, fears and phobias.

Some of the more recognizable and commonly known symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders are recurring nightmares, irritability, loss of appetite and at times, even terrorism. Psychosomatic symptoms like headaches, dizziness and vomiting also start showing up in extreme cases.

Knowing these symptoms can help in identifying the issue and taking specific steps before it is too late. It is however, important to remember that this is just the start of the problem and that extreme patience and love shall be required to treat anxiety or clinical depression.

Make sure that you use the right counselor or psychologist to ensure that the best treatment is meted out to your teen.