What are the symptoms of teenage depression: Early symptoms of adolescent depression can be difficult to diagnose because they appear to be a normal part of the difficulties adolescents face. Depression may be indicated if an adolescent experiences an unusual degree of the following symptoms:
changes in eating and sleeping habits (eating and sleeping too much or too little), significant weight gain or loss missed school, poor school performance and/or a sudden decline in grades, withdrawal from friends and family, no longer enjoying activities that were once pleasurable indecision, lack of concentration, or forgetfulness, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, overreaction to criticism, irritability feeling that nothing is worth the effort,frequent health complaints when no physical ailment exists, anger, rage, anxiety,lack of enthusiasm and motivation,drug/alcohol abuse, thoughts of death or suicide.

What triggers depression in teenagers: The reasons for depression can vary from adolescent to adolescent. Often, depression results from a confluence of factors:
Significant events such as the death of a loved one, parents’ divorce, moving to a new area, or breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend can prompt symptoms. Adolescent depression can occur from neglect, prolonged absence from someone who is a source of care and nurturance, abuse and bullying, damage to self-esteem, or too many life changes occurring too quickly. In some teenagers, any major change may provoke depression. Earlier traumatic experiences such as abuse or incest often emerge and cause great distress as the child becomes a teen. This is because as a young child the victim did not have the life experience or language to process these painful experiences, or to protest. When such memories emerge in adolescence, the distress can be compounded if adults deny or discount the information. Stress, especially if the adolescent lacks emotional support. Hormonal/physical changes that occur during puberty also cause new and unexpected emotions. Moodiness and melancholy are often experienced and labeled as depression. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can affect hormone balance and mood. Chronic physical illness also can cause depression. When a medical condition is diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression usually disappears. Substance abuse can cause changes in brain chemistry. Allergies to foods such as wheat, sugar, and milk cause or exacerbate symptoms of depression. Nutritional deficiencies may be caused by an amino acid imbalance or vitamin deficiency. Genetics can predispose a teen to depression when the illness runs in the family.

What are the effects of depression in teenagers: Many teen behaviors or attitudes that are annoying to adults are actually indications of depression:
Drug and alcohol use – depressed teens often use substances in an attempt to self-medicate their symptoms.
Low self-esteem – depression can intensify feelings of ugliness and unworthiness.
Eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression.
Self injury – cutting, burning, head banging, or other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression.
Acting out – depression in teenagers may appear as agitation, aggression, or high risk behaviors rather than—or in addition to—gloominess.
Suicidal thoughts or attempts – teens who are seriously depressed or despondent often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide, which should be taken seriously.

What are the risk factors for suicide in teenagers: An alarming and increasing number of teenagers attempt and succeed at suicide. Suicide is now the third highest cause of death in adolescents, and children as young as five have been reported to have committed suicide. It is also probable that suicidal statistics for teens are underreported, as they might overlook those whose reckless or dangerous behavior resulted in death, or those in which the cause can not be definitely identified.

There are several high-risk factors associated with teen suicide: previous suicidal behavior history of psychiatric disorder or substance abuse family history of suicide, psychiatric disorder or substance abuse loss of parent through any means history of abuse, violence or neglect social isolation/alienation, including because of being gay or being bullied What kinds of events precipitate suicide in teenagers? Adolescence is typically a time of extreme moods, as hormonal changes and academic and social challenges escalate. Suicidal behavior in adolescents is commonly precipitated by events or challenges that the teenager finds too difficult to tolerate. Even things that seem minor to an adult can be major to a young person, who does not have the life experience to put them into perspective or the coping skills that an adult has honed.

Some common precipitants of suicidal behavior in teenagers include: death of a family member or close friend (particularly if by suicide) loss of a romantic relationship or good friendship, loss of a parent through divorce or separation, loss of a pet, treasured object, job or opportunity, fear of punishment, physical, sexual or psychological abuse, unwanted pregnancy, poor grades, fight or argument with family member or loved one, belief one has harmed or brought harm to a family member or friend, embarrassment or humiliation, concerns about sexuality, suicide of a friend, acquaintance, or celebrity ("copycat" suicide),

What can teenagers do to help themselves or a friend if they begin to feel depressed: Teenage moodiness is a normal part of adolescent development. In part, it is caused by hormonal changes that cause moods to fluctuate. Just knowing that these mood swings are normal can help reduce the anxiety that often accompanies these intense feelings. However, teens can become depressed beyond normal moodiness, and need help to get past these feelings. Some people think that talking about sad feelings will make them worse, but the opposite is almost always true. It is very helpful to share your worries with someone who will listen and who cares, especially a trained professional who can guide you to feeling better.

Reach out and talk to friends, parents or teachers. If you are stressed out by exams, talk to your teacher or school counselor. If you are worried about being pregnant, see your general practitioner or family-planning clinic. Keep yourself occupied. Spend time with friends, especially those who are active, upbeat and make you feel good about yourself. Avoid hanging out with those who use drugs or alcohol to cope with feelings. Remember that you are not alone. Depression is a common problem and usually a passing state. Even though it feels like it will never lift, depression almost always does come and go on its own—and with proper intervention it can be controlled, greatly reduced or overcome.

You might need medication to temporarily help you while you sort out your feelings. Be sure your parents look into this before deciding, as some antidepressants used for adults can actually make teens feel worse. Above all, do not do anything that can cause permanent damage to yourself or could result in your death. Remember that "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." If you have a depressed friend, especially one who talks about suicide or is giving things away, do not consider it a betrayal to tell a responsible adult. Depression depletes energy and clouds judgment, and your friend may do something that can never be repaired if help is not received.

Even if you promised not to tell, your friend needs your help, and you would rather have a friend who is temporarily angry at you than one who is no longer alive.

Source: Helpguide.org 1996-2005. / Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Lisa Flores Dumke, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., contributed to this article.