• http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/12/health/student-led-film-takes-on-teen-anxiety-depression/

DepressionA mood disorder in which people lose interest in life and can no longer find

enjoyment in anything.

Prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness.

Extreme Stress can lead to Depression!

Why do people become depressed?

• Biology: studies show that certain parts of the brain don’t seem to be working normally. Changes in levels of certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters.

• Gender: woman are about twice as likely as men to become depressed.

• Genes: depression can run in your family• Age: elderly people are at higher risk of

depression.

• Health Conditions: finding out you have a new chronic disease, or illness can lead to depression.

• Trauma or grief: emotional abuse, violence, physical abuse, loss of a loved one.

• Changes: new job, divorce, moving, going to college.

• Medications/substances: other drugs can cause symptoms of depression. Alcohol or substance abuse can also cause depression.

Warning Signs of Depression

• Sadness, Anxiety, Irritability• Lack of energy• Inability to concentrate• Negativity• Irritability• Frequent Anger• Withdrawal• Guilt, helplessness, hopelessness• Thoughts of death• Refuse to go to school• Excluding themselves from activities

Teens and Depression

• Making independent decisions for the first time

• Forming an identity of your own, away from parents

• Self-esteem is low– Depression in teens is also usual linked to other

disorders such as eating disorders, substance abuse, and high anxiety.

Get help

• First confide in someone, and get appropriate treatment: visit a doctor or mental health specialist.

• Discuss when your symptoms started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, and whether they have occurred before.

• Discuss if you are using alcohol or drugs, and if you are thinking about suicide or death.

Treatment

• Counseling Services• Medications:– Antidepressants – regulate mood• Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Cymbalta• Should be monitored when on these medications

Anxiety: condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen

Emotional symptoms of anxiety

• Brief feelings of worry• No control• Insecurity• Restlessness• Blank mind• Fear• Self-consciousness• Panic

Do these sound familiar?

Physical Signs

• Pounding Heart• Sweating• Upset Stomach• Shortness of breath• Dizzy• Fatigue• Insomnia

Coping with Anxiety

• Stress is a direct cause of Anxiety !• Managing and coping with stress reduces

anxiety. • Self-Help– Get sleep– Healthy eating habits– Exercise– Reduce alcohol and tobacco use– Write down your worries, adapt to them

Medical Help

• Medications– including benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

• Seek professional help– therapies

Teen Anxiety

• Teenage years are ones of high stress, difficult decisions, and soaring emotions. – extreme highs and lows– dramatic outbursts– unexplained "silent treatments"

Teen Anxiety

• Anxiety in teenagers can cause complications such as overeating, smoking, even depression and drug use.

• Medical experts have diagnosed countless numbers of teenagers with anxiety-related disorders, including, but not limited to, depression, bipolar/manic depression, schizophrenia , and ADDICTION.