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Really if you think about the fact that a million people live in New York alone, then two million isn't such a bad number. But even so, it's not cool that so many children are struggling through their teenage years. A struggle which lends to being depressed (much different than being sad or moody).

"More than 2 million U.S. teenagers have suffered a serious bout of depression in the past year, including nearly 13 percent of girls, according to a federal government survey released on Tuesday.

On average, 8.5 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 described having had a major depressive episode in the previous year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported.

But there were "striking differences" by sex, with 12.7 percent of girls and 4.6 percent of boys affected."

I wonder if this is because more girls vocalize their depression while more boys would be apt to remain silent and miserable. I think this is probably because boys aren't supposed to be "emotional" creatures and many adults claim depression is something you should just be able to snap out of, so boys should get over it? I hope this is not the case, but unfortunately it probably is...

And don't think these kids don't know what depression is all about either. According to the report, "They defined a major depressive episode as two weeks or longer of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, and at least four other symptoms such as problems with sleep, energy, concentration or self-image." Sounds spot on to me.

Having struggled with depression throughout high school I know how hard it can be to come to terms with feeling that way. I still am being treated for my depression and even after coping for over a decade, there are times when I very much just want to jump off a bridge. Of course I am able to cope after having learned coping mechanisms which work, but it took a lot of time and support.

And so, I urge everyone to be sure they are aware of the teenagers in their life. Notice their moods, may attention to how they interact with others and be sure to be as supportive of their feelings as possible. Early intervention is extremely important.

SOURCE

Labels: depression, teens

As we head deeper into July parents will begin their countdown until their kids are back in school. Kids will begin the countdown until doom's day. Right?

It's not easy being a teen these days, that's for sure. Not that it ever really was easy. But it just seems like today's world offers many new obstacles and challenges for teens and high school can be a terrifying place.

There is Help For Troubled Teens and this includes help for their parents to be able to better understand and provide better encouragement. Please, don't think that it means you can't handle your own child, it just means sometimes you need a different, outside perspective of someone who may be able to relieve stress and alleviate miscommunication.

I was a wicked teenager for my Mom. I thought she was against me, didn't understand me and didn't care. So many night I locked myself in my room, growing deeper and deeper into a depression I didn't understand. My Mom felt hopeless. It wasn't until my first year of college that we were able to talk about my depression and see I needed outside help. There is NO shame in that at all and anyone who tells you there is, well, they have a lot of hard times ahead of them and they'll be alone. It is not something to be embarrassed about or to try to hide from others. In fact, I firmly believe hiding it or feeling shameful will further hinder any sort of progress in moving through and passed these difficult times.

Help For Troubled Teens is a website which discusses a variety of things. It will help you to understand if your child needs help at all and it offers many suggestions. You'll read about how important, consistency and consequences are for children and teens.

There is also a helpful questionnaire to fill out and once it is done and scored you will receive recommendations based on the results of your own responses. So whether your child may be involved in drugs or is hanging with a dangerous crowd, or is feeling depressed, "Help For Troubled Teens" can be a great resource.

Disclosure:
This post has been sponsored.

Labels: helping, teens

There are so many kids and teenagers I know who are unable to cope with their emotions whether it is love, anger, depression and sometimes even happiness. They react dramatically or without much reason and it is because they just don't know how else to release the feelings.

Kick Out Stress provides teens with ways to relieve their stress and/or depression. When it comes to treating teenage depression I really believe you need to try whatever it takes until you are able to reach the person and help them to overcome the darkness. I have been struggling with depression since I was a teenager. So I struggled with anxiety, eating disorders, depression and the feeling of loneliness. Unfortunately, no one really helped me until I decided to go see a therapist when I was in college.

It's not easy to face children and teenagers when they are at their lowest. You feel helpless, they feel helpless and the situation can spiral quickly.

No one is immune to feeling stress; no matter their age. A lot of what has gone wrong in their lives wasn't in either your or their control. Kick Out Stress can give your teen a stronger sense of control.

Disclosure:
This post has been sponsored.

Labels: depression, stress, teens