Teen suicide

Stress and anxiety in children and teenagers are just as prevalent as in adults. Stressed out and negligent parents, high expectations academically or other performances, abused or deprived childhood, growing up tensions and the demand for family responsibility at a young age are the main causes of childhood and teenage stress.

Stressed children show signs of emotional disabilities, aggressive behavior, shyness, social phobia and lack of interest in activities that are otherwise, very enjoyable. Research shows that children who are forced o live on prematurely adult levels can become oppositional to following their parent's rules and eventually those of society. Such children tend to respond to stress with aggression. Many teenagers fall prey to depression in response to a variety of anxieties including those pushed upon by their peers. These include the pressure of not conforming or being ¥cool' for example.

The following can also trigger depression:

„h The death of a family member or close friend,

„h An assault, car accident, or painful physical, mental or emotional event,

„h Relationship breakup, or love lost suddenly,

„h Constant physical, mental, or emotional pain that goes on for a length of ti

„h Persistent sad or "empty" mood,

(6) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

It can be very hard to diagnose depression. There are many different kinds of depression and not all people will have the same symptoms, or have them to the same degree. Here are some symptoms to watch for and if they last more than a few weeks a doctor or psychiatrist should be consulted.

„h Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

(B) The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

„h Fatigued or loss of interest in ordinary activities,

„h Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts,

What struck me when reading this is how many of these things have occurred to me or to one of my friends and just how little it can take to cause something as serious as depression. Most people have lost, or know someone who has lost a family member or close friend, most people have experienced the loss of a partner in a relationship in their life, yet why don't all of these people become severely depressed? Why are there only a few?

„h Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions,