How To Take Control of Your Depression: Advice for Teens

Growing up is emotional, no doubt about it, but sometimes it seems like you have been thrown into a river of troubles and are unable to stay afloat. Either because of something that has happened (family problems, school stress, a breakup), or for seemingly no reason at all, you are irritable, feel exhausted or can’t sleep, either find yourself unable to stomach food (or, alternatively, to stop shoving it into your mouth), and are prone to tears. At really low points, you feel like life is empty, that you have little value as a human being. Many people associate these symptoms with growing up and argue that many teens go through such a “phase.” But this may not be a phase, and, at any rate, should not be ignored. If you are experiencing these symptoms, some or all, it may be that you have depression.

Psychologyinfo.com states that 4 out of 100 teenagers suffer from depression every year. The causes of depression are jointly caused by psychological factors and chemical imbalances in the brain. Some forms of depression are hereditary, meaning that if your parents (or grandparents, aunts, or uncles) have ever exhibited symptoms of depression, it might mean that you are also prone to the disease. Even if you have no history of depression in your family, traumatic events like the death of a loved one can often make a person depressed. If you feel you may be suffering from depression, there are courses of action you can take to alleviate the symptoms and to find a road to recovery.

Psychological treatment, or psychotherapy, helps in some cases. By talking to someone about your problems, you can begin to change your outlook–negative feelings can be turned into positive ones. It can also help you cope with your problems and decide which problems are the big ones, and which ones aren’t problems at all.

The big trend today is to supply medications for everyone who has even slight symptoms of depression. This is, of course, something that only you can decide is right for you. Medications affect people in different ways, and in some cases may make the situation worse. If you feel uneasy about taking a medication, or if you are taking one and it doesn’t make you feel “right,” then talk to your doctor about alternative methods of fighting the symptoms.

Some people like to try a more natural treatment for depression–one that is cheaper than psychotherapy and doesn’t have any of the possible side-affects of a drug. This third course of action requires diligence on the part of the depressed person–something that is often difficult because lack of motivation is also part of the disease–but which can produce results that make you feel “normal” again.

An exercise regime is a must. People who work out regularly are less susceptible to feelings of depression. Exercise makes you feel good, on the short term and on the long term, and it will help you to get your eating and sleeping patterns back in order. Eating right is also important–too much sugar and caffeine can affect the way you feel. It’s tough to eat right when junk food is so readily accessible, but once you get used to the change you won’t even want it. And some foods are even purportedly depression fighters because they contain a good-for-you fatty acid called omega-3 that helps the brain to function. Walnuts, leafy green vegetables, and salmon that has not be farm raised all contain omega-3. There are also supplements that will give you a daily dose of omega-3. Before trying the “natural” way of fighting depression, however, it’s best to talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

Depression doesn’t have to ruin your life. It doesn’t have to be a part of growing up, either. You can take control of it. *Wanting* to be healthy is the first step to happiness.