Depression among teens is a growing phenomenon that is beginning to spiral out of control. Access to social media such as facebook and twitter, and many reality T.V. shows, go a long way to adding to this problem. The teenage years are very trying times for many teens. If teens can realize some of the things that cause depression, they may be better able to handle these situations when they occur.
Many teens suffer from depression because of the way they look or how they live their lives. The images portrayed on television, in magazines and on the internet give a distorted view of reality. It’s important to understand that normal, average teenagers, or people of any age, don’t look like, act like and live like what is shown in the media. Teens are given a false sense of reality about how life and people really are. If you are suffering from depression because you feel like you aren’t pretty enough, smart enough or have money, understand that you are not alone.

Other teens may suffer from depression as a result of a difficult breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. In this case, it’s important for teens to realize that dating has its ups and downs. Most people don’t end up marrying the people that they dated in high school. Before suffering from depression over a break up, teens need to rebuild their self confidence and tell themselves that they are very deserving of someone that will care about and respect them.

Some teens suffer from depression as a result of a divorce. The causes of parents divorcing each other is not the fault of the teen child. Even though a teen’s parents may no longer love each other, this does not mean that they do not love their children any less.

Many teens experience depression and don’t know how to handle it other than cutting themselves. Friends and family should immediately recognize the sign of a cutter and get them help right away. 

Borderline syndrom: The results of cutting yourself

Many teenagers go through very confusing times during their adolescent years, and while many parents may see their teenagers going through normal, simple problems, teens may see these problems differently. The stress endured by teens could lead to thoughts of suicide. Self mutilation or being a borderline / cutter is one of the signs that suicide could be imminent for a depressed teen. Action should be taken immediately with a borderline / cutter so that they don’t harm themselves.

Immediate action is needed with a borderline / cutter because their mind is not in a rational state. They have already started cutting themselves, and if gone unnoticed, suicide could be the next step. A professional counselor or therapist can determine whether or not the teen is suffering from severe long term depression or suffering from a short term crises where they simply don’t have the skills to cope. Medication and/or coping skills could be all a teen needs to help them through their tough times.

There are many reasons why teens may want to cut themselves. One reason is that it gives them power and control over something. Cutting themselves is one thing teens can control when they feel out of control with the rest of their lives. It could also be a cry for help or for getting attention, and they feel there is no other way to ask.

Friends and family can help a borderline / cutter by first recognizing the signs of a borderline / cutter. If there are noticeable wounds on the body, then this could be a sign of a problem. If the borderline / cutter doesn’t attempt to conceal or hide these wounds, then this could be a cry for help. Friends and family should then take action immediately when seeing any signs of self mutilation by seeking professional help for the troubled teen.

Whatever the reasons, a borderline / cutter is not in a rationale state of mind, and friends and family should be ready to help before it goes too far.

The fear of failure is prevalent among teens. The adolescent years are already confusing enough, and many teens experience a very real fear of being rejected by their peers for attempting to take on daunting tasks and failing at them. This fear of failure has caused many teens to quit striving for the things they want to achieve in life, instead they would rather blend into the crowd.
Many teens must learn to overcome their fear of failure because many of life’s lessons are learned from failing. Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players of all time, was cut from his high school basketball team the first time he tried out. Instead of giving into his fear of failure, he continued to practice harder than he had ever done. Needless to say, he tried out for the team again, and this time he made it, and the rest is history.

Albert Einstein, considered one of the smartest people in the world, did not learn how to read until he was the age of seven. If he did not overcome his fear of failure, he would not have gone on to do some of the great things he is known for, including winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Teens must be willing to fail in order to become someone or do something great. The best advice to give to teenagers with a fear of failure is that time will heal all wounds. Many years from now their peers may not even remember the thing that they attempted and failed.

First, let us say, we are so sorry for your loss.
Losing a parent is traumatic no matter how it happens, and to put it mildly, hurts like hell. It’s scary. Whether you lost one or both of your parents, your life has changed forever and you may find yourself not only trying to handle your own grief, but the grief of your surviving relatives as well. Not to mention – this is a parent who might be your primary caregiver, and now your whole life is changing. Maybe you have to go live somewhere completely different with new people and a new school. No matter what the situation is - it’s a big deal, and this experience will shape your relationship with life and death in the future.The most important thing is for you to know how to deal with the grieving process so that you can survive this – and you CAN!

What is Loss?

Sudden losses happen unexpectedly. There could be a car accident, suicide, or heart attack. These types of losses shake us to the core and make us question the stability of life.

Predictable losses are expected – maybe your parent had a long struggle with cancer or another sickness. These types of losses aren’t as shocking as sudden losses because we have time to prepare ourselves, but they’re harder because you have to deal with two kinds of grief: the kind that happens before your parent dies (anticipatory grief) and the kind that happens after their death actually happens and you say your goodbyes.

Tips for Coping with Loss:

• Talk to friends
  
• Talk to family
  
• Don’t expect that you’re going to “get over it”
  
• Write about it
  
• Let it out
  
• Let yourself feel it, don’t bottle it up
  
• Talk to a therapist
  
• Exercise
  
• Don’t try to act like it’s not a big deal

People are going to make decisions for you, and you may feel like you’re not being given a choice in your own future. It may feel as if you are being treated like you’re just a kid and your opinion doesn't matter. People may discuss things in front of you without asking for your input. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to act when faced with death and grief; they may be afraid to talk to you about what you need.

Try your best to communicate what you need as directly and politely as possible.  This is going to be difficult at best, especially when you are feeling frustrated and the people around you are trying to help.

Try your best to be open to people reaching out to you. The adults who don’t push you, but still show you that they care in a quiet sort of way are definitely the best ones to talk to when you’re feeling really down or pissed off. Make a mental list of who is safe and who is annoying (or who might be bad for you) so you know who you can go to.

It is okay to feel upset, angry, frustrated, depressed, or numb. Find a support system who will allow you to be who you are and what you need to be at the time.