This is especially true for adolescents struggling with the normal developmental processes of connecting with their peers and differentiating themselves from their parents. This can result in a lack of direction, alienation from their parents, overemphasis on obtaining peer approval, unstable sense of identity and a sense of failure. And without the tools needed to cope, an adolescent can become mired in feelings of loneliness, worthlessness or hopelessness. Each year 250,000 teens attempt suicide. Each year 2,000 teens commit suicide.
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression.
Each person is unique, and the events that trigger depression in some people do not do so in other people. Events that are known to lead to depression include worrying about grades, worrying about parental and peer acceptance, dealing with self-esteem issues, suffering broken relationships, experiencing confusion over sexual identity and suffering rape or incest. Often, the key to unlocking people from the chains of depression can be found by examining these areas with the patient.