Risky Behaviors Associated with Teen Depression

Depression | December 15, 2011

Depression makes a teenager extremely vulnerable towards risky behaviors. A teen suffering from depression often develops problems with his or her impulse control, decision making ability, self esteem and ability of judging things. The risky behaviors that are commonly observed in depressed teens include the following:

Substance abuse: Risk factors for teenage depression
Substance abuse i.e. the act of using drugs, alcohol or other intoxicating substances is one of the most common secondary effects of depression in teens. These substances are mostly used by these young fellows with an aim of correcting the primary symptoms of depression. However, these substances instead of minimizing those symptoms end up aggravating them severely.

Unhealthy sexual behavior:
Making unprotected sexual relationships is quite common for the depressed teenagers. Some get themselves engaged in such ill relationships only for coming out from the feeling of depression temporarily. This habit leaves them at extreme risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases.

Self-harm:
A teenager suffering from depression often performs acts like burning or cutting oneself. In the last 5 years it has been found that majority of the depressed teenagers are opting for self-harm. Majority of the teens try keeping such behavior of them a secret; for instance: if they make cuts on their arms, they wear long-sleeved clothes for hiding the marks. Self harming nature of depressed teens should be treated immediately to prevent more severe outcomes.

Suicidal tendencies:
Teens with depression often get engaged in activities like discussing about suicide, imagining about death, making plans of suicides, showing suicidal gestures or even attempting to take their own lives. Each of the activities mentioned above is a warning sign and they must be professionally handled for ensuring that they don’t become successful in taking their own lives. These teens must be supervised by a mental health doctor. Undergoing psychological counseling might also help them.