Teenage Depression

I think that when you're a teenager, it's super hard to tell whether you're depressed or just normal. I've heard so many adults say how much better life got when they got out of the teenager years. Life is getting so 'effin hard for teenagers...maybe every teenager has depression!

i think teenage depression is something people just brush off lightly. it should be taken much more seriously.
if we dont act on it when we can, we may never get the chance.

I have been a nurse for a while and I can tell you that teens have hormonal changes that cause them to be moody, depressed, and overreactive. this will go away as they grow however some of this can be a chemical imbalance in the brain. it helps to know if anyone in their family has been treated for depression at any time.
it can be treated by talking to someone they know and love IF IT IS SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION NOT A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE. if the depressive episode become prolonged or the person is a danger to theirself or others they should see a doctor ASAP

yes, some teenagers can be overreactive or just sensitive, or whatever you want to call or describe it. HOWEVER i personally believe, that just like anyone else, teenagers can and are depressed. and theres nothing wrong with that becuase its pratically a part of life and everyone gets depressed at one point in time. yes, some people do take it to the extreame which is unnesesary but for those of us who are depressed just cant help it.
When it comes to family support, sure that can work....in a happy universe where rainbows flie out of peoples ass! sorry im joking, yes family can help sometimes but then again they can only make it worst by making it a bigger issue than it really is or just not caring. it swings both ways. but i think that its better to talk to a friend or someone who makes you happy or that you can trust atleast. i think that its posible to do it by yourself but a million times harder alone, then again that could be the problem to begin with.
doctors and shrinks are not nesessary in most cases, you can be treated without any pills required, it will take effort, but no matter what anyone thinks you can get out of this mess. but if someone feels like theres no way out you can consider it.
i was deeply depressed many times and i have came out of it without any medical help.
my advice is be strong, dont take anyones shit, live for a better day, it will get better, it may take a long time, but everything will be worth it in the end.

1. Do you think there's really teenage depression, or are they just moody/hormonal/overreacting?

Obviously. I have a severe depression disorder.

2. If a teen is depressed, is family support needed or can the teen get better by themselves/with the help of one close family member or friend(s)?

Well yeah someone can make them better but when you have social anxiety with it it's really fucking hard.

3. Can depression be treated without the help of a psychotherapist/medicine?

Yes.

4. How?

Not sure.

But yeah, I have severe depression and severe social anxiety and I haven't really found anything that helps besides music.

vampirate516:

doctors and shrinks are not nesessary in most cases, you can be treated without any pills required, it will take effort, but no matter what anyone thinks you can get out of this mess.

Psychiatrists are actually required. They are required to diagnose you with depression.

You cannot diagnose yourself with depression. Only people who have the qualifications to can.

I find it quite odd that so many teenagers think they're depressed, but they haven't even been checked out by a professional, i.e a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist. Or even a counsellor.

If they haven't been to see anyone about it, how do they know they're depressed, especially if they're 13 /14 years old? They have no experience with it. For all they know, they could just be having a mood swing. It's a normal part of teenage life.

although you need a psychiatrist/psychologist to diagnose you with the illness, you can handle it without continuous help, although that would be a pretty silly thing to do.
sure, you may be able to beat it without meds, but it will be hard work. but you cant just go on meds. if you go on meds, you also need to do behavioural therapy aswell, so when you go off the meds, its easier.
all the meds do is fix up the chemical imbalance. serotonin is the chemical that is imbalances in depression, anxiety, ocd, schizophrenia, paranoia and a few other disorders.

^ oh really.
i live in sydney, and ive been on meds. not for depression, but for anxiety, and its the same drug...
i dunno. a few people i know have been also.

^ oh yer, i know. im just saying the ones ive been put on (xanax & zoloft) are commonly used for depression also.

yer, i get what you mean. i honestly dont think its a great idea for young people to be on them. but if you cant beat something through behavioural therapy only, i think its good. like, im going through a very very bad time at the moment with my anxiety and i want to get back on the meds because i cant handle it by myself. its very hard to live with.

techno cocaine.:

If they haven't been to see anyone about it, how do they know they're depressed, especially if they're 13 /14 years old? They have no experience with it. For all they know, they could just be having a mood swing. It's a normal part of teenage life.
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That is a good point.

I don't know how to word what i am going to say next, but when i say it I mean no offence to teens who really do have depression and listen to the music in question.
But basically, I think that a lot of teens about 12, 13, 14 ect like to think they have depression, especially if they listen to music like MCR. (I know that MCR do not promote depression or anything, but you have to admit there is that stigma about them with depression). I have noticed that pattern at least in other forums where people in that age group go.

techno cocaine.:

vampirate516:

doctors and shrinks are not nesessary in most cases, you can be treated without any pills required, it will take effort, but no matter what anyone thinks you can get out of this mess.

Psychiatrists are actually required. They are required to diagnose you with depression.

You cannot diagnose yourself with depression. Only people who have the qualifications to can.

I find it quite odd that so many teenagers think they're depressed, but they haven't even been checked out by a professional, i.e a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist. Or even a counsellor.

If they haven't been to see anyone about it, how do they know they're depressed, especially if they're 13 /14 years old? They have no experience with it. For all they know, they could just be having a mood swing. It's a normal part of teenage life.

I've been checked out by a professional numerous times, I have severe depression.

I wish I could be on meds...my parents are seriously against any current medications for the mind because they believe everything I'm going through (anxiety, depression) is just a phase. Bugs the shit out of me.

Ask them if you can see a professional then.

Domenic:

techno cocaine.:

vampirate516:

doctors and shrinks are not nesessary in most cases, you can be treated without any pills required, it will take effort, but no matter what anyone thinks you can get out of this mess.

Psychiatrists are actually required. They are required to diagnose you with depression.

You cannot diagnose yourself with depression. Only people who have the qualifications to can.

I find it quite odd that so many teenagers think they're depressed, but they haven't even been checked out by a professional, i.e a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist. Or even a counsellor.

If they haven't been to see anyone about it, how do they know they're depressed, especially if they're 13 /14 years old? They have no experience with it. For all they know, they could just be having a mood swing. It's a normal part of teenage life.

I've been checked out by a professional numerous times, I have severe depression.

Okay, good on you.
But you're not the only teenager. There are actually quite a lot who have never been checked out by a psychiatrist who go around moaning on about how they're depressed.

i dont think mcr encourages depression, in fact there are a couple mcr-saved-my-life stories out there. We dont know how accurate they are, but still...

techno cocaine.:

Domenic:

techno cocaine.:

vampirate516:

doctors and shrinks are not nesessary in most cases, you can be treated without any pills required, it will take effort, but no matter what anyone thinks you can get out of this mess.

Psychiatrists are actually required. They are required to diagnose you with depression.

You cannot diagnose yourself with depression. Only people who have the qualifications to can.

I find it quite odd that so many teenagers think they're depressed, but they haven't even been checked out by a professional, i.e a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist. Or even a counsellor.

If they haven't been to see anyone about it, how do they know they're depressed, especially if they're 13 /14 years old? They have no experience with it. For all they know, they could just be having a mood swing. It's a normal part of teenage life.

I've been checked out by a professional numerous times, I have severe depression.

Okay, good on you.
But you're not the only teenager. There are actually quite a lot who have never been checked out by a psychiatrist who go around moaning on about how they're depressed.

Believe me I know .

YourHopelessHair:

I wish I could be on meds...my parents are seriously against any current medications for the mind because they believe everything I'm going through (anxiety, depression) is just a phase. Bugs the shit out of me.

you could try talking to like a school councilor if you have one, or even just a bog standard teacher, because if they think something is wrong, they have to talk to you about it. I've had to go see my English teacher a few times about stuff because she's always worried about me, and it really does help, just talking to someone, even if they can't do anything...


or call line childLine (08001111i think) cause they will talk to anyone about anything, even 'my mates are drinking in their house. I'm worried. They're only 17'! =]