Self Harm and Depression
What do you do when you feel down? Can you just let it go? Get over it? Or does it stick with you for a long time?
Well for some teens it’s easy to get over their problems and sadness very easily. But for most people this deepened sadness can last for days, weeks, months, or maybe even years. This state of mind is called depression.
Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimist sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. It is a constant state of sadness that one cannot step out of. If not treated properly it can lead to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Paranoia, Bi Polar Disorder, self-harm, suicide, or even death. The typical American teenager becomes depressed throughout their high school career due to stress at home, school, and relationships between themselves and their peers.
The rate of increase in depression among children is an astounding 23%. 30% of women are depressed. (Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher.) 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness. 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help. 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment. 92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment. 15% of depressed people will commit suicide. Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.
Here at Amherst Steele, there are many teens that suffer from depression and are currently harming themselves. Medical professionals or therapy is not treating most of them. “I don’t like telling someone I don’t know, all my thoughts and secrets,” says Katie Hoffman of Steele. “ I try to cope by cutting, running, or listening to music”. Most of these feeling are similar to how other teens feel about therapy and coping, but it isn’t the right path to take.
If you seek a medical professional about your depression, he may send you to psychiatric therapy. This sounds awful, but really is not. Therapy can help a person cope in many ways. The fact that you are talking over your problems and dealing with them head on, instead of running away, is a big step. Your therapist also gives you ways to cope and new methods to try. “ Therapists wont keep my secrets safe” Brianna Demarco states. But, teens that feel this way are incorrect. Under the Ohio revised code, no therapist can give out your information under authority of the law; their only job is to listen to you.
If your depression is severe you may be prescribed medication. These medications (Anti-Depressants) help cope and are preferably the best coping method. “An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders”, says Doctor Eric Lockhart of Amherst Medical Care. “They are the best way to getting your life back on track and self harm is never the answer.”
So, in conclusion, cutting or harming yourself may relieve your state of mind for the rest of day but therapy and medication can relieve the symptoms for a lifetime. So if you are currently struggling with depression visit twloha.com. This website is one of the best to help teens dealing with these problems. If you are still unsure of yourself to seek help, try sleeping, playing video games, going out with friends, or staying active outside. Any one of these coping methods can help temporarily relive you state of mind and is shown to work better then self- harm. But remember that the best way to cope with severe depression is proper medication. So try your hardest and don’t let your depression bring you down. It’s your life and you can make a difference.