Week Three: Why Teenage Suicide?

Why is it "estimated that 500,000 teenagers try to kill themselves every year, and about 5000 succeed"?(Suicide is a Teenage Epidemic) In this article, it explains the psychology behind why teens turn to suicide. Its amazing to me that 500,000 teenagers attempt to kill themselves and so many succeed. Something should be done about it.

Some signs of suicide include: Depression, a sad or "empty" mood, feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, feeling guilty, using drugs, fatigue, anxiety and panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in usual activities, unusual eating and sleeping patterns, increased crying, and thoughts of suicide. If any of these signs are found, caring adults should help, because thoughts of suicide are a cry for help. 

With knowing signs, psychologists can help figure out what is wrong with the adolescent. In the article, "Teen Suicide", they say that "Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds." Since its the thirds leading cause of death, psychologists had to make it one of their main topic focuses. Psychologists say to ask the adolescent is they are thinking about death because it shows that someone cares about them, which is what teens need. 

Lastly, in the article, "Why Suicide ?", psychologist, Edwin Shneidman, talks about the main characteristics that have to do with suicide. He says the main purpose to suicide is to seek a solution. Suicidal teenagers really want help, but don't want to ask for it.

"To people who think about ending their own lives, suicide represents an answer to an otherwise insoluble problem or a way out of some unbearable dilemma," says Shneidman. He means that teenagers feel the easiest way to not feel pain is to commit suicide and not be on earth anymore, which is the biggest reason why teenagers turn to suicide.

Everyone should be part of decreasing the number of suicides, because it hurts not only the teen, but everyone affected. People need to care about others and let the suicidal adolescents know that people are there for them. 

 

Week Two: Teenage Stress

Teenagers get stressed by many things. Teenagers shouldn't be as stressed as they are. In the article, Teens in Distress Series Adolescent Stress and Depression, It explains that the most common reasons of stress are breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend, arguments with parents, brothers, and sisters, trouble with classmates and parents, a change in parents financial status, and a serious illness of a family member. Also, the two main places that most stresses occur are at school or home. People also have to find ways to cope with their problems. Its not safe to keep all your problems inside.

Also, in the article, Stress Symptoms and Risk Factors, it explains the symptoms of stress. Some symptoms of stress include sweating, tingling, rough breathing, tension, or anxiety. Teenagers should try to find a way to get away from stress by being organized.

Also, everyone experiences some type of stress as the body's response to change. The more stress you have in your life, the more likely you will get depressed. It seems as though teenagers stress can be eliminated if they have a strong support system at home and a strong work ethic. Everyone will experience anger, but healthy anger can inspire you to make changes in your life that can help improve it.

Lastly, in the article, WD-causes of stress, it explains the cause of stress for teenage stress. Some
causes are a traumatic event, a terrible accident, death, serious illness, daily, work, and family stress. All those things and more can cause teenagers to turn to terrible things, such as depression. In addition, little things that can cause stress can being very busy. Very busy students can get stressed and feel too worked up.

Teenagers handle stress in different ways. Weak students turn to depression and get upset, but strong students are organized and can get through it.

Week One: Teen Depression

According to the article, Statistics - Adolescent Depression, "Studies indicate that one in five children have some sort of mental, behavioral, or emotional problem, and that one in ten may have a serious emotional problem." This means that many children around us are depressed, even if we can't see it. Depression for adolescents should be eliminated, because young adults should be happy and having fun. If it isn't treated, it can lead to depression in adulthood, involvement in the criminal cases, or the worst case, suicide.

Also, according to the article, Teen Depression, depression is something that can impact a child's life. The teen years are very difficult, but most teens balance anger with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong self esteem. Bad moods are expected from busy teens, but depression is something different.

Depression can destroy a teenager's personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger. Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated if there is a concerned parent, teacher, or friend.

Lastly, in the article, Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder, it explains that it is completely normal for children and teenagers to have sad or moody days, but when those feelings last for two weeks or longer, it could indicate that something more serious is going on, which is what the other articles were explaining.  

I think that if people care about a teenager, then their depression can be cured. Many things can cause depression, but if there are caring parents or teachers, then those things can be eliminated.