Teen Depression (Part 2)

What factors increase the risk of triggering teen depression? (a continuation)

5. Mental health conditions (bipolar disorder, over-eating (bulimia nervosa) or the opposite that is anorexia, childhood schizophrenia, or the presence of personality disorder); 6. Chronic illness (diabetes, asthma) or chronic physical illness (cancer) 7. Negative personality traits (over-dependent, pessimistic, self-critical, lack of confidence, feeling of helplessness); 8. Gender issues in an unsupportive environment (gay, bisexual, transgender, lesbian); 9. Mental health inside the family (parent, grandparent, or other blood relative with bipolar disorder, mental disorder, or substance abuse on both or either alcohol or drugs); 10. Having a family member who died of suicide; 11. Emotional conflict inside the family (separated parents, dysfunctional family home, non-traditional family environment like gay or homosexual parents); and 12. Severed family ties (parents who went to court to severe marriage, parent who is separated from the family because of military service, "wanted" or "in hiding" or the death of a loved one).

Special predisposition in the development of teen depression

There are genetic and biologic causes that make a teen predisposed and vulnerable to depression, these include: 1. Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression; 2. Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters in the brain or brain chemicals that carry signals to parts of your brain and body may be abnormal or impaired or over-active. The nerve function and nerve system is affected, leading to depression.

Traumatic events, such as emotional or physical abuse in childhood may cause changes in the brain and in the activity of neurotransmitters that may lead to teen depression.

Symptoms of teen depression

A change from the teenager's attitude and behavior that causes problems and distress in school, home, social activities, and other areas of life. Be on the guard if you find these emotional changes in your teenager: 1. Feeling of sadness (crying spells for no clear reason; 2. Feeling of anger or frustration even in small and trivial matters; 3. Irritable or annoyed mood; 4. Loss of interest in pleasure or leisure activities (sports, going out with friends, music);