Effects of Depression
Depression is something that if left alone, can not only really impact a child socially, academically, emotionally, and physically, but could even lead to suicide. It’s important that you as a parent understand the different impacts that arise from depression, so that you can use that knowledge to either identify your adolescent’s depression or to help treat it most effectively. So, let’s explore these different effects from depression to better understand the problem that many teenagers are facing today.
Figure 3. Depressed Woman by Dana Tentis (pxhere)
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Haesue Jo is a licensed family therapist that has researched and published her thoughts and findings in her article "Depression and Daily Life", in partnership with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and she has offered valuable findings on the topic of depression.
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She has found that a good initial way for a parent to recognize depression in their adolescents is if they are withdrawing themselves from friends and family. This is especially important as this sign is usually something that is easy to spot in most cases, and many parents of children with depression have often said that this was one of the first things that they notice.
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Other things could include your child losing or lacking interest in things that once interested them, whether it be hanging out with their friends, hobbies or sports, or even academics. This effect of depression is especially sad as it can affect relationships between you and your child or between your child and the people they care about, as social withdrawal can lead to a child or teenager feeling incredibly alone and as if nobody can help them with what they are dealing with.
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Haesue Jo notes how especially impactful these issues can be when she stresses, "...it is so important to seek out help, not just for relationships and work, but for your own sake" (Jo).