Identify Signs of Teenage Suicidal Behavior

Suicide is one of the most prevalent causes of death among Americans, based on the statistics.  There are at least 38,000 cases of suicide in the US alone every year.  Taking away one’s life has no particular reason, but some risks can increase suicidal behavior. Certain mental disorders can also increase the chance of someone committing suicide.  Around 90% of those who committed suicide have been diagnosed with mental illness.  Teenage Depression highly contributes to the risk factor, but other mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder also add to the hazard.

 

Risk Factor that may Increase Suicidal Behavior

 

Aside from mental disorder that increases the possibility of committing suicide, other risks can contribute to or increase the chance of having suicidal behavior.

 

·         Past attempt to commit suicide-  Doctors are asking the loved ones of those who previously tried to commit suicide to monitor them closely as there is a high chance they might do it again.

 

·         Substance Abuse-  Those who are abusing drugs are also likely to form suicidal behavior.

 

·         Confinement-  Being forced or self confined also adds to the possibility of taking their own life.

 

·         History- Those who have a family history are also more likely to commit suicide.

 

·         Job Security.  Those who are not secure about their job can also develop suicidal behavior.

 

·         Medical condition.  People diagnosed with grave illnesses such as cancer and HIV may also fall into depression and develop suicidal behavior.

 

 

·         Bullying.  Bullying is one of the primary causes of suicide among teens. Be sure to pay attention to teenage depression signs.

 

 

Is There a Treatment for Suicidal Behavior?

 

Treatment for people with suicidal behavior depends upon their specific case.  However, in the most common issues, the therapy usually consists of medication and talk treatment.  Treatment using the conversation is also called psychotherapy.  It is a proven way of minimizing the risk of attempting suicide.  Psychotherapy educates you on how to deal with the risk that adds to your suicidal behavior.  It will help you achieve a certain satisfaction in your life and replace negative thoughts with positive feelings.

 

Is Therapy Sufficient?

 

Unfortunately No. There are times that talk therapy will not be sufficient to help someone with suicidal behavior.  Medications will be prescribed to you by the doctor to assist you in dealing with your disorder. You might be given an antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic medicine.

 

Aside from the procedure mentioned above, you may also help yourself reduce the risk of suicide by avoiding drugs and too much alcohol intake.  Having regular exercise will also help stimulate the brain cells that will make you relax and happy.  Also, it is highly advisable to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep.  If you are having difficulty in sleeping, then you must talk to professional healthcare. Reach out to your support group if you have a suicidal behavior. Remember, do not let the devil win. Let us also look at one of the main causes of suicidal behavior among the younger population-teenage depression.

Teenage Depression Signs

 

It was a normal day for the Scott family. They had a sumptuous breakfast, and Ms. Scott was telling them the things they needed to remember for this day when she noticed that her daughter was not yet prepared to go to school. She asked Carrie if she had classes today, and Carrie replied by saying that she was not feeling well. Come to think of it, Carrie has been losing some interest in school activities lately. Ms. Scott looked at her daughter keenly and noticed that nothing had changed about her. She looked at her watch and realized that it was getting late. She picked up her clutch bag and car keys and told her other kids to hurry up. The kids quickly followed Ms. Scoot since they didn't want to be late to school; all of them, except Carrie. Carrie remained in front of the dining table while staring at the food in front of her.   Ms. Scott rushed out of the house, saying goodbye while looking at her daughter for the last time before she finally shut the door.

 

As she started the car's engine, the image of her daughter kept crossing her mind. She knew there was something wrong with her, but she couldn't figure it out. Was it because she does not spend adequate time with her kids? Her work has been quite demanding lately. Meanwhile, Carrie is still in front of the dining table inside the house. It seems that she remained stuck in the moment. Carrie listened as the engine's sound gradually faded, and then tears started streaming down her face. She felt helpless, Carrie was waiting for her mother to comfort her, but she didn't notice. She needed help, but it seemed no support was coming. If only her mother saw the prevalent teenage depression signs, she would know that Carrie is experiencing severe depression.

 

Teenage Depression Warning Signs

 

Getting help for teenage depression is different compared to the adult. The adult is pretty capable of seeking help independently, while teenagers seek assistance from their teachers, parents, or friends. They will not openly ask for your help; you have to recognize the teenage depression warning signs to provide the support they need.

 

While there are moments when the teenage depression signs are quite obvious, there are instances when the symptoms are not evident. They will not always look sad or angry. Some of them may show less noticeable teenage depression warning signs such as:

 

·         Hopelessness or Extreme Sadness

 

·         Hostility, Anger, and Irritability

 

·         Frequent Crying

 

·         Losing her interest in some activities

 

·         Social Withdrawal

 

·         Failing Grades in School

 

·          Changes in the Normal Habits such as Eating and Sleeping

 

·         Agitation

 

·         Guilt and Worthless Feeling

 

·         Lack of Motivation and Engagement

 

·         Lacking Energy and Extreme Fatigue

 

·         Trouble in Concentrating

 

·         Inexplicable Pain

 

·         Thoughts of Suicide

Problems Caused By Depression

 

Female and teenage male depression symptoms are quite the same. However, the male has a higher tendency to be more violent. Depression can be severely damaging and can lead to various problems if not addressed immediately. Some of the issues will include:

 

·         Substance Abuse- Since teenagers cannot seek help on their own, these teenagers who have teenage depression signs will turn to alcohol and drugs as a form of self-medication.

 

·         Eating Disorder- Binge Eating, Bulimia and Anorexia are common problems associated with depression.

 

·         Internet Addiction- It is common for teenagers to escape reality and withdraw themselves from their social circles. One way to do it is through the excessive use of computers.

 

·         Self Injury- Teenage depression warning signs are often associated with self-injury. When you notice burns or cuts on your kids, this might indicate that your kid is depressed.

 

·         Suicide attempts- Severe depression can lead to thoughts related to suicide. You should never dismiss this type of behavior, take this seriously and provide the help they need.

 

Perhaps the best thing you can do once you notice these teenage depressions signs is to seek professional help. These professionals will conduct screening to determine if a particular condition is causing your kid's depression. Let them know that the entire family is here to support them on what they are going through. Depressed teenagers need to feel that they are being cared for, accepted, and valued. Take this situation seriously before it's too late; call for professional help right now when you see these teenage depression warning signs.

What are the Causes of Depression, and How Can We Help?

 

It was a fine day, but somehow Annie does not feel like going out and socializing. She rather stayed inside her room and focused on this overpowering sadness trying to consume her. She looked back on the past few days and couldn't figure out what caused this unwanted emotion. Her relationship with her friends is as good as ever, and her parents have always been there for her. Nothing seems wrong, yet she is still feeling this extreme sadness in her heart. Something is wrong with her, but she doesn't know what causes of depression lead to this feeling.

 

Main Causes of Depression

Depression can be regarded as a complicated disease. No one is aware of the causes of depression, but this condition can occur due to various reasons. Some people experience depression when they have a serious illness, and others will feel extreme sadness when there is a life-changing event. Some individuals have a history of depression in their families. Various factors can increase the possibility of depression, such as the following:

 

·         Abuse- physical, mental, or social abuse that happened in the past can increase the chances of experiencing depression.

 

·         Medications- certain medications such as isotretinoin, interferon-alpha, and corticosteroid can boost the risk associated with depression.

 

·         Death- The grief and sadness from the death of a loved one  can increase depression attack

 

·         Genetics- if you have a family history of depression, it may contribute to the causes of depression.

 

·         Life-Changing Events- Depression is not only related to the negative things in our lives. It can also be associated with good things such as getting married, graduating, and finding a new job.

 

·         Substance Abuse- According to the study, around 30% of people suffering from substance abuse have depression.

 

·         Grave Illness- Causes of depression can also be associated with a serious medical condition. Sometimes chronic pain may lead to overwhelming sadness.

 

How to Treat Depression in Teenager

 

Even if you are not sure if depression is the cause of the changes you are noticing in your kids, it is still important to address this. Bring it up in a manner that is non-judgmental and caring.

 

Communicate with Them

 

Help teenage social anxiety by opening up a dialogue with them. Though there are times that you will receive an angry response, you still need to push through. Here are some ways how you can effectively communicate with them.

 

·         Listen- when you want to know how to treat depression in teenagers, you first need to listen. Listen without any judgment and avoid lecturing. You may feel some urge to criticize them but avoid doing it. Just make them think that you are there to provide unconditional love.

 

 

·         Acknowledge their Depression- Even if you feel like their emotions are irrational and silly, you must still acknowledge this overwhelming sadness that they are feeling.   If you try to comfort them and say that things are not that bad, they will realize that you are not taking them seriously.

 

·         Remain Gentle and Determined- Even if there are times that they will shut you, you still need to be persistent. Teenagers find it challenging to talk about their depression.   There are times that they want to talk about it, but they find it hard to express it.

 

Promote Social Connection

 

Help teenage social anxiety by encouraging them to make a social connection. Isolating themselves from their environment can make their conditions worse. Here are some ways to do it.

 

·         Fight Social Isolation- Do anything you can to keep them connected. Invite their friends for dinner or ask them to go out with their friends. Open an opportunity for them to meet other people, such as joining community activities.

 

·         Connect Face-To-Face Daily- You need to free your time and reserve it only for your teenagers. This daily interaction can reduce depression.

 

·         Make them Feel Involved- Let them join activities that may interest them. You may ask them to join sports, music, art, dance, or volunteerism activities. The depressed kid may lack engagement during the initial stage, but as they progress, they will gradually regain their motivation and enthusiasm.

 

Finally, you may want to seek online help for teenage depression. The support they are getting can make a huge difference for teenagers suffering from depression. Mental health experts with experience and advanced training to help teenage social anxiety would be the ideal choice for you.