1 in 4 Older Teen Girls do this once

[eatmystarz]

Fully 25 percent of girls between the ages of 16 and 19 experience one major bout of depression, Reuters reports of new research from the University of Alberta in Canada that followed more than 1,300 teenagers for four years. In addition, 10 percent of boys ages 12 to 19 suffer an episode of depression, which was defined as a feeling sad, depressed, or losing interest in normally fun activities for two weeks. Why do so many teens become depressed? The researchers are stumped.
They have figured out this much: Teens are 40 percent more likely to become depressed if they smoke. They were also at a higher risk for depression if they feel they do not have social support, which is measured by how much they feel cared for and supported by others. Girls may experience depression more frequently than boys because life events are sometimes more stressful for them, such as problems with peers, difficulties in romantic relationships, and family changes. "Girls do seem to ruminate more, and may be more affected by interpersonal difficulties than boys," lead study author Dr. Nancy Galambos told Reuters. But the bottom line is that the researchers don't really know why so many girls suffer from depression.
How can parents and teachers help ward off depression in teens? Galambos recommends they know the signs of depression, which can include trouble sleeping, loss of energy, and weight fluctuations. "Depression in adolescents is treatable," she told Reuters. "If it is recognized, treatment can prevent further episodes of depression." The study findings were published in the International Journal of Behavioral Development.

Depression in Childhood and Adolescence

What Increases Your Risk

Several factors increase a young person's chance of developing depression. Children or adolescents who have a parent with depression are three times more likely to develop depression in their youth.5 Other significant risk factors for developing depression include:2, 4

• Being a girl in early puberty.
• Being a boy prior to puberty. Before puberty, boys and girls have an equal risk of developing depression.
• Exposure to family conflict, death in family or of a close friend, or being abused.
• Poor social relationships with peers.
• Smoking tobacco.
• Problems with alcohol or drug use.
• Uncertainty about sexual orientation.
• Having had previous episodes of depression.
• Experiencing a first episode of depression at an early age.
• Having other mental disorders along with depression.
• Experiencing anxiety or having an anxiety disorder, such as general anxiety disorder or separation anxiety.
• Having chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Children or adolescents who complain of numerous physical symptoms (such as body aches and headaches) with no known physical problems are at a high risk of developing depression within a few years of their initial physical complaints.8

Research indicates that teenage smoking is a significant risk factor. Adolescents who smoked cigarettes were twice as likely to develop depression as those who did not smoke.9

Children and adolescents with depression are at a higher risk for developing other problems, such as:2, 10

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Substance abuse problems (including drug, alcohol, or nicotine dependence).
• Poor academic or job performance.
• Problems in relationships with peers and family members.
• Early pregnancy.
• Physical illness.

If your child or adolescent is suffering from depression, you will want to watch for the warning signs of suicide. A young person is at greater risk for suicide attempts if he or she has:11

• Current suicidal thoughts.
• Made past suicide attempts.
• A family history of suicidal behavior or mood disorders.
• Been exposed to family violence or abuse.
• Access to firearms or other potentially lethal agents.
• Other mental health or disruptive disorders, such as conduct disorder.3
• A substance abuse problem.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Impulsive or aggressive behaviors.

Advice to Teen Girls:
Ditch the Boyfriend

Dear Advice Column:
I have this totally cute boyfriend, "Jake," and I know lots of other girls in my high school would just love to hook up with him. There's just one problem. I feel sad a lot. And nervous. Sometimes I can't sleep at night. On bad days, I feel fat. Also, to make more time for "Jake," I quit the field hockey team. But that's okay. It took up waaay too much time anyway. So you see? Everything is just about perfect. What's wrong with me?
Signed,
A sweet sixteen who is too sad, sleepy, and hungry

Dear Sweet Sixteen:
Ditch Jake. He may be cute and make you the envy of all your friends, but he's the one who is making you sad, nervous, and sleepy. Don't believe me? Keep reading.
Signed,
The Advice Columnist

Teen girls who are 15 and 16 years old should do themselves a big favor: Forget about having a steady boyfriend. According to a study by the Danish Institute for National Health, boyfriends tend to make teen girls feel sad, dispirited, and nervous, as well as create sleeping and eating problems, reports the Danish newspaper Dagsavisen. Girls who have boyfriends also tend to be displeased with their weight and tend not to be involved in as many physical activities, such as team sports.

Boys, on the other hand, tend to be more pleased with their lives when they have a girlfriend.

Why such a dramatic difference between the genders? Lead researcher Karin Helweg-Larsen blames it on socialization. Even though we have made great strides in equality between the sexes, she explained to Dagsavisen: "There are a lot of issues in the ways girls are brought up and socialized into society. We are brought up to take what other people think about us, our actions, and how we should be into account."

Another reason could be the ages of the lovers. Girls, who are generally more emotionally and physically mature than boys the same age, often choose boyfriends who are older. Helweg-Larsen speculates that this age difference could make girls uneasy and make them feel less sure of themselves than they would if they didn't have a boyfriend. The opposite is true for boys. When they go out with someone who is younger, it can boost their self-worth.