Depression In Teens

It’s not unusual for young people to experience "the blues" or feel "down in the dumps" occasionally.
Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes
that accompany this stage of life.
Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can lead to deep
disappointment. When things go wrong at school or at home, teens often overreact. Many young people feel
that life is not fair or that things "never go their way." They feel "stressed out" and confused. To make matters
worse, teens are bombarded by conflicting messages from parents, friends and society. Today’s teens see
more of what life has to offer — both good and bad — on television, at school, in magazines and on the
Internet. They are also forced to learn about the threat of AIDS, even if they are not sexually active or using
drugs.
Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are
experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may indicate a
serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention — adolescent depression. Parents or caregivers
must take action.
Dealing With Adolescent Pressures
When teens feel down, there are ways they can cope with these feelings to avoid serious depression. All of
these suggestions help develop a sense of acceptance and belonging that is so important to adolescents.
 Try to make new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to teens’ self-esteem and provide
an important social outlet.
 Participate in sports, job, school activities or hobbies. Staying busy helps teens focus on positive
activities rather than negative feelings or behaviors.
 Join organizations that offer programs for young people. Special programs geared to the needs of
adolescents help develop additional interests.
 Ask a trusted adult for help. When problems are too much to handle alone, teens should not be afraid
to ask for help.
But sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, teens become depressed. Many factors can contribute to
depression. Studies show that some depressed people have too much or too little of certain brain chemicals.
Also, a family history of depression may increase the risk for developing depression. Other factors that can
contribute to depression are difficult life events (such as death or divorce), side-effects from some medications
and negative thought patterns.
Recognizing Adolescent Depression
Adolescent depression is increasing at an alarming rate. Recent surveys indicate that as many as one in five
teens suffers from clinical depression. This is a serious problem that calls for prompt, appropriate treatment.
Depression can take several forms, including bipolar disorder (formally called manic-depression), which is a
condition that alternates between periods of euphoria and depression.
Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect teens to act moody. Also,
adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well. They may not be aware of the
symptoms of depression and may not seek help.
These symptoms may indicate depression, particularly when they last for more than two weeks:
 Poor performance in school
 Withdrawal from friends and activities
 Sadness and hopelessness
 Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation
 Anger and rage
 Overreaction to criticism
 Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals
 Poor self-esteem or guilt
 Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
 Restlessness and agitation
 Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
 Substance abuse
 Problems with authority
 Suicidal thoughts or actions

Teens may experiment with drugs or alcohol or become sexually promiscuous to avoid feelings of depression.
Teens also may express their depression through hostile, aggressive, risk-taking behavior. But such behaviors
only lead to new problems, deeper levels of depression and destroyed relationships with friends, family, law
enforcement or school officials.
Treating Adolescent Depression
It is extremely important that depressed teens receive prompt, professional treatment.
Depression is serious and, if left untreated, can worsen to the point of becoming life-threatening. If depressed
teens refuse treatment, it may be necessary for family members or other concerned adults to seek professional
advice.
Therapy can help teens understand why they are depressed and learn how to cope with stressful situations.
Depending on the situation, treatment may consist of individual, group or family counseling. Medications that
can be prescribed by a psychiatrist may be necessary to help teens feel better.
Some of the most common and effective ways to treat depression in adolescents are:
 Psychotherapy provides teens an opportunity to explore events and feelings that are painful or troubling
to them. Psychotherapy also teaches them coping skills.
 Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teens change negative patterns of thinking and behaving.
 Interpersonal therapy focuses on how to develop healthier relationships at home and at school.
 Medication relieves some symptoms of depression and is often prescribed along with therapy.
When depressed adolescents recognize the need for help, they have taken a major step toward recovery.
However, remember that few adolescents seek help on their own. They may need encouragement from their
friends and support from concerned adults to seek help and follow treatment recommendations.
Facing the Danger Of Teen Suicide
Sometimes teens feel so depressed that they consider ending their lives. Each year, almost 5,000 young
people, ages 15 to 24, kill themselves. The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960,
making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among
college-age youth.
Studies show that suicide attempts among young people may be based on long-standing problems triggered by
a specific event. Suicidal adolescents may view a temporary situation as a permanent condition. Feelings of
anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive, self-destructive acts.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings. Pay attention to these warning signs:
 Suicide threats, direct and indirect
 Obsession with death
 Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
 Giving away belongings
 Dramatic change in personality or appearance
 Irrational, bizarre behavior
 Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection
 Changed eating or sleeping patterns
 Severe drop in school performance
REMEMBER!!! These warning signs should be taken seriously. Obtain help
immediately. Caring and support can save a young life.
Helping Suicidal Teens
 Offer help and listen. Encourage depressed teens to talk about their feelings. Listen, don’t lecture.
 Trust your instincts. If it seems that the situation may be serious, seek prompt help. Break a confidence
if necessary, in order to save a life.
 Pay attention to talk about suicide. Ask direct questions and don’t be afraid of frank discussions.
Silence is deadly!
 Seek professional help. It is essential to seek expert advice from a mental health professional who has
experience helping depressed teens. Also, alert key adults in the teen’s life — family, friends and
teachers.
Looking To The Future
When adolescents are depressed, they have a tough time believing that their outlook can improve. But
professional treatment can have a dramatic impact on their lives. It can put them back on track and bring them
hope for the future.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Other Resources
Shubhu

Friendship

Friendship means closeness, association, relationship, and mutual trust – without any
selfish motive. It refers to the feeling of companionship and the exchange of friendly emotions
between people or more people.

But true friendship us rarely seen. Growing true friendship depends upon selection of a friend.
Men of similar moral idea irrespective of social, cultural, educational and financial idea may
grow true friendship.

Growing true friendship is very hard and it takes time but once the friendship is broken it can be
very difficult to fix it again.

Test of friendship : Best test of friendship is adversity. Prosperity beings friends but adversity
tries them. In good days of a man his so-called friends gather around him, treat him as a
beehive. So long he lives in prosperity the friends cling to him like leeches. But when his bad
day starts, no friend can be seen. But a true friend does not leaving his friend in any situation.
He is ready even to die for him.

Need of friendship : Friendship is seen even among animals. It is very often seen that among
a number of animals a few group always moves together, they have no expressible voice to
exchange views, still they maintain friendship.

Human beings are the best creation of God. They have senses, they have moral feeling.
For existence and for leading moral life they need advice and consultation. But they face
certain problems which cannot be discussed with his relatives – in whatever relation they
may stand and here is the need of a friend, of course a true friend. There is no matter
which cannot be discussed with a friend.
Short Story of Two Friends

The moral of the Story of Two Friends and the Bear is that “A friend in need is a friend in
deed”.

Tom and John were two friends. One day they were passing through a dense forest.

John said, “Friend, I am afraid there are wild beasts in this forest. What will we do if a wild beast
attacks us?”

“Don’t be afraid, John,” said Tom, “I shall stand by your side if any danger comes. We shall fight
together and save ourselves.” Thus talking they went on their journey.

But suddenly they saw a bear coming towards them. Tom at once got up the nearest tree. He
did not think what his friend would do.

John did not know how to climb a tree. He had no way of escape. He was helpless.

But soon he took a plan. He fell flat on the ground like a dead man.

The bear came up to John. It smelt his nose, ears and eyes. It took him to be dead and went
away.

Then Tom came down from the tree. He said to John, “What did the bear whisper in your ear?”

John said, “The bear told me not to trust a friend who leaves his friend in danger.”
GST

GST is an Indirect Tax which has replaced many Indirect Taxes in India. The Goods and
Service Tax Act was passed in the Parliament on 29th March 2017. The Act came into effect on
1st July 2017.
In this article, we take a closer look at what is GST and the reason why it is making business
and taxes simpler and easier.

1. What is GST?
Goods & Services Tax Law in India is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based
tax that is levied on every value addition.
In simple words, Goods and Service Tax is an indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and
services. GST Law has replaced many indirect tax laws that previously existed in India.
GST is one indirect tax for the entire country.
So, before Goods and Service Tax, the pattern of tax levy was as follows:

Under the GST regime, the tax will be levied at every point of sale. In case of interstate sales,
Central GST and State GST will be charged. Intra-state sales will be chargeable to Integrated
GST.
Now let us try to understand the definition of Goods and Service Tax – “GST is
a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax that will be levied on every value
addition.”
3. Advantages Of GST
GST will mainly remove the Cascading effect on the sale of goods and services. Removal of
cascading effect will directly impact the cost of goods. The cost of goods should decrease since
tax on tax is eliminated in the GST regime.
GST is also mainly technologically driven. All activities like registration, return filing, application
for refund and response to notice needs to be done online on the GST Portal. This will speed up
the processes.