The effects of teenage depression are real and can be detrimental. These effects can cause lasting physical and emotional problems, notes the Mayo Clinic. It is important to take depression in teens seriously and do what you can to prevent or stop the negative consequences from happening or getting worse.
School Problems
Depression in teens can affect their ability to concentrate and maintain their energy levels, HelpGuide.org reports. This may hurt their school attendance, decrease their academic performance and increase clashes with other students and school staff.
Substance Abuse
Teens with depression may abuse drugs and alcohol as a way to reduce their symptoms. HelpGuide.org notes that substance abuse will only worsen the symptoms of depression and the negative effects.
Eating Disorders
Teens with eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and various forms of dieting behaviors, may be struggling with depression, reports HelpGuide.org. Eating disorders give depressed teens some form of control in their life. They cannot control how they feel when they are depressed, but they can have power over their food intake.
Low Self-Esteem
One of the symptoms of depression is feelings of worthlessness. This feeling will cause a teen's self-esteem to decrease. They will feel worse about things such as their looks, their abilities and their worthiness. Also, if depression induces teens to eat more they may gain weight, which can also hurt their self-esteem.
Internet Addiction
Some depressed teens may isolate themselves and begin spending all their time online. They may use the Internet as a way to escape their problems, notes HelpGuide.org.
Running Away
Some teens with depression will either run away from home or talk about running away. HelpGuide.org notes that teens who are doing this are trying to send a signal that they need help.
Reckless Behaviors
A teenager who has depression may engage in careless and reckless behaviors that could be life threatening. Such behaviors could include drinking while driving, driving at very high speeds, mixing drugs and alcohol, engaging in high-risk sexual acts and hanging out with people who are dangerous.
Violence
Depression can fuel violence in some teens. According to HelpGuide.org, self-hatred and a wish to die can erupt into violent and homicidal rage.
Self-Harm
Teens who are depressed may engage in self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, burning or other kinds of self-mutilation. This is done to redirect the pain of depression and to allow the teen to feel control over something in his life.
Suicide
According to KidsHealth.org, teens can experience depression that is so severe that they may think about or attempt suicide. A teen thinking about suicide is considered an emergency situation. The teen should be taken to the emergency room and the teen's therapist should be called.
