A spiraling descent of emotions that do not seem manageable. A physical ailment that cannot be cured by simply pulling yourself up by the bootstraps. Up to 20 percent of teens and youth will suffer from depression or symptoms of depression before they reach adulthood. Statistics also show a staggering number of depressed teens self-medicate with the use of drugs and alcohol to numb the feelings they experience at the time. Teen depression comes with a myriad of signs parents need to watch for:
- Persistent sadness or anxiety
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Inability to concentrate or make decisions
- Increased alcohol and/or drug use
- Thoughts of suicide or wishing to be dead
If you want to know more about the depths of depression and how a parent can know more about teen depression read our blog that touches on what teen depression is and facts for parents. Steps can be taken to restore a teen back to a functioning and productive individual and Ozark Teen Challenge wants to help.
Substance abuse and depression amongst teens have surprising correlations. Studies have found that 30 percent of teens with depression also develop a substance abuse problem. To provide further connection, studies have also shown that depression and substance usage have the same triggers:
- Shared brain regions affected by both substance abuse and depression. This means that both drug addiction and depression are stimulated in the same parts of the brain.
- Genetic factors make a person more likely to develop a mental disorder or addiction. Genetic factors make it more likely that one condition will occur once the other has appeared.
- Environmental factors, such as stress or trauma, are known to prompt both depression and substance abuse.
- Brain developmental issues can lead a youth or teenager to depression or substance abuse later in life. Early drug use is known to harm mental development and make later psychological illness more likely. Early mental health problems can be congruous to substance use, as well.
With these similar triggers in mind, treating one issue without treating the other can be counterproductive. For successful recovery and productive coping with depression and drug abuse, both need to be treated. For more information on identifying if your teen or youth is misusing substances, read our blog on teen drug abuse. At Ozark Teen Challenge, we have programs that suit co-existing conditions such as depression and drug abuse. Our faith-based Christian substance abuse programs work to develop teens mentally, physically and spiritually. Our mission is to not only help troubled teens but to create young men who embody the living spirit of Christ through our core values. isotretinoinrx.com
