Bethany ThompsonMrs. LittleHonors English 323, May 2014Adolescent DepressionDepression can cause big problems. Family, school, friendships, relationships and many other things can cause problems. Between 20 and 50 percent of adolescents who suffer from depression have a family member with depression or some other type of mental disorder. Teenage depression is a very serious topic and it is important to understand its causes and symptoms. It affects many teenagers in ways no one can explain. “Adolescent depression is a serious medical problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities.” (Source: “Teen Depression.” Definition. Np, 1998. Web May 13, 2014.) Everything you did before the depression occurred will change completely, almost as if there is a whole new person looking back at you in the mirror. It affects the way an adolescent thinks, feels, behaves and can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Teenage depression can completely change a person and the way they act. It is a mental disorder where someone in your family might or might have had a different mental illness. It affects more than a person's mood. It drains the energy, motivation and concentration a person needs for normal activities. It can also interfere with your ability to notice the pleasures in life. So it's best to take life one day at a time because there is no certainty about what will happen next. “Amber Brown has spent her entire life believing that Dave was her father. When her mother reveals that this is not true, she goes into an emotional spiral into depression. It's hard for her to believe that her mother has been lying to her all this time." (source: McGee-Buda, Raebeth. "Silenced." Goodreads. Np, 2014. Web. 02 May 20...... half of document ...... 2014. http://www.philly.com /philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Teen-depression-Not-just-a-phase-they-outgrow.html "Teen Depression", 1998. Web, May 13, 2014 .org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/basics/definition/con-20035222 “Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs”: Recognizing Depression Symptoms and Getting Help, n.d. Web .org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment. htm RANDYE, HODER “Depression – TIME – News, Pictures, Quotes, Archive.” TIME.com, February 13, 2014. Web .com/depression/articles/ “Managing Depression – Adolescents: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” of the United States, February 3, 2014. Web May 1, 2014. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000647.htm