Life can be challenging for teens. They must deal with schoolwork, family life and friends at the same time to fit. Feeling of sadness, frustration and irritability are common. 1． Their negative feelings don't come and go. Instead, those intense feelings can point to a disease called depression—one that may require treatment.
It's easy to think that depressed people simply feel sad or hopeless. For many teens that may be true. 2． Some kids withdraw from friends and family. Others respond with angry outbursts. Some teens may skip school or stop eating or sleeping. Teachers, parents or even a teen's close friends may find it hard to tell whether these behaviors are just part of being a teens or signs of something truly serious.
Even depressed teens may not realize they have this problem. 3． More than three million Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced depression in 2019. However, a study by researchers at Harvard and Yale universities found that half of all teens with depression don't get help until they become adults. And only one in three will have been diagnosed by their doctor.
4． "I can only work with what you give me," Dee says, the mental-health professional in Lincoln, Neb.
Dee says, peers should also seek for signs of depression. Keep an eye on your friends, she recommends. Watch for symptoms of isolation (孤立) or hopelessness. 5． Any of these behaviors could be a symptom of depression.
Overall, knowing who—and how—to help is essential for successfully treating depression in teens.
A．And the share of those affected is high.
B．Some may start abusing alcohol or drugs.
C．Teens should be honest with their answers.
D．The problem is that depression in teens can be hard to spot.
E.There is a link between mental illness and suicide in teens.
F.But for some teens, those emotions take a more extreme turn.
G.Even skipping classes can be a sign that something serious is going on.
