Quick Links: Teen Depression Quiz | Parent's Guide to Teen Depression | Troubled Teens
Teens who are depressed are at higher risk for attempting suicide for a number of reasons to include:
1. A chemical imbalance - the regulation of mood takes place in the brain. Depression can alter the functioning of the brain, resulting in a chemical imbalance. When the brain isn't functioning normally it can be difficult for a teen to think rationally or make good decisions.
2. Impulsivity - teens are often impulsive, and depressed teens frequently act impulsively. This tendency to take action without considering the consequences increases the likelihood of a teen acting quickly on any suicidal thoughts they may have.
Example: Josh is at risk for being kicked off the team due to his declining performance on the field. He is devastated by this news but due to his depression is not able to work to improve his skills and focus, instead he feels like giving up on himself.
3. Substance abuse - depressed teens are vulnerable to experimenting with substances, which further decreases their impulse control and clouds their judgement.
4. Emotional overload - any teen can be easily overwhelmed by painful emotions or situations and this is even more likely to happen with a depressed teen who may already be experiencing a sense of hopelessness.
5. Being bullied - a depressed teen is more likely to be bullied by peers and the sense of powerlessness can be devastating for a depressed teen, contributing to feelings of being unable to change this situation.
6. Isolation - teens with depression are likely to become socially isolated which leads to a sense of being alone and left out. When a teen isn't interacting socially with peers this can contribute to a sense of worthlessness, in addition to not having anyone to talk to about how they're feeling.
7. Limited problem solving skills - a vulnerable teen who is in emotional pain and then faces a problem that seems insurmountable may view themselves as out of options.
Example: Jody suffers from depression and feels discouraged and worthless about herself. She has a fight with her best friend who storms off angrily. Jody is so upset by this incident that she can't come up with any ideas about how to apologize or communicate with her friend. The problem of how to re-connect with her friend feels impossible to solve for Jody, further increasing her belief that life is not worth living.
8. Aggressiveness - in some teens, depression can manifest as aggressive behavior, which is sometimes expressed towards others and sometimes towards oneself.
Example: Javier suffers from depression but doesn't know it and no one else has figured it out because he doesn't act sad, he acts angry. This morning a girl he likes tells him to get lost. In response, he threatens to punch out the first person he sees but finds this doesn't help him feel any better. His anger continues to increase and he now turns it on himself, angrily berating himself for being such a looser. When he gets home he starts looking for his Dad's gun.
Important note: Early identification and treatment of depression in teens is very helpful in reducing the risk of suicide in depressed teens. If you have any concerns about your teen being at risk, seek professional help as soon as possible.
Quick Links: Teen Depression Quiz | Parent's Guide to Teen Depression | Troubled Teens