Teens Exposed - Depression
Inside My Mind as a Depressed Teen
By: Miranda Hudgens, Junior, Bangor H.S, Bangor, ME
TeenNewsNet Columnist
Being a Teen is hard enough as it is. But, add depression to that equation and times can seem almost impossible.
An average teenager’s day consists of classes, drama, friends, enemies, sports and any other extracurricular activity. Most high-schoolers do not have time to deal with unnecessary stresses that can come with depression. But, the unlucky few, such as myself, have had to deal with it everyday...
Going to class can be very hard, not only do you have to listen like the regular students, but you have to keep your mind from veering to upsetting topics. Whether it’s boy issues or nasty roomers that are spreading, everything seems amplified. I find trying to really focus on what the teacher is saying can help. Analyze every word so that you can keep your mind on the subject you are learning.
Depression can also cause us to think and act differently in certain social situations, such as:
Friends: It can seem like they aren’t supportive, when really, they may not know what is actually going on. They might think you are just moody or negative. Depression is a hard concept to grasp. Many people think that it is a choice or a phase. It’s not. Depression is a mental disease that can happen to anyone. Try going to a professional. It doesn’t make you crazy; going to a therapist can give you someone to talk to that wont judge you.
Enemies: Something that an enemy will do can aggravate you more than it normally would. Depression doesn’t only bring on sadness. It can bring on extreme or uncontrolled anger. Do not let these thoughts enter any further in your mind. Picture yourself in a happy place and take deep breathes to overcome any anxiety. Taking your anger out isn’t the answer. Believe me; I’ve learned the hard way.
Sports: Athletics can be hard with depression. You have to push yourself more to just get into the game. With depression most teens will want to just lie down and drown in ones own sadness. You cannot do that. You need to get out there and work through the mental pain this disease gives you. This could help you channel some of the anger, stress, and sadness into the sport you are playing.
Sleeping: One of the most challenging things that comes along with depression is when its time to go to bed. Most teenagers can just lie down and shut their brains off. Depressed ones cant. Insomnia isn’t irregular with this disease. When you let your mind wander your mind can come up with thoughts that are dangerous to let yourself think about: ‘Today was a horrible day,’ ‘Why can’t I just be normal?’ ‘I hate my life so much,’ ‘What is the point of me still being here?’ These are just examples of things I often conjure. If you start to think along these lines, then you should come up with some alternatives while waiting to fall asleep. Listening to music can get your mind off of things by replacing them with words of a song that you can repeat over and over instead of the bad thoughts. If you don’t have music then you can try listing everything good about your life. It may be hard, but it is worth a try.
If you do have insomnia because of your depression try a safe dose of sleeping aids. Another way that I keep my mind from letting me hurt myself emotionally is by having friends stay the night with me. Having a sleepover can distract your from your own sorrows.
Depression isn’t something to be ignored. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to troubles at home and school, self-loathing, drug abuse and worst of all homicidal or suicidal actions. Remember: depression is a mental disease and if you are worried about your teen or even a friend having this condition you should look for the following:
Difficulty concentrating |
Difficulty making decisions |
| Memory Loss |
| Feelings of worthlessness & guilt |
| Lack of enthusiasm & motivation |
| Rebellious behavior |
| Irresponsible behavior -- for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes, skipping school. Sudden drop in grades Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain |
Loss of interest in activities |
Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness |
Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day |
| Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous
sexual activity
|
|
Withdrawal from friends and family |
Tearfulness or frequent crying |
Thoughts of death or suicide
|
Sometimes it is hard to tell if a teenager does have depression. It is possible that a they would only have a few of these symptoms. One way to determine if they are suffering is by how long these symptoms have occurred. If they are recent, chances are it’s just a phase; but, if these have been going on for a long time then statistic show that your teen may have depression. I myself have only had a handful of these conditions. With some time at the doctors and some patience on my part, luckily I caught it before everything spiraled out of control. The results were that I stopped skipping school and partying excessively. Additionally, I do not cry myself to sleep anymore, I have no guilt, I stopped hurting myself, I am interested in my life again and I cherish living so much more now. It has been over 9 months since I have been diagnosed, life is still hard; but doable. There is hope.
Below are links to additional resources for support:
