Biological Changes: Adolescence is a period of significant hormonal changes, which can affect mood regulation and contribute to feelings of depression.
Brain Development: The teenage brain undergoes significant development, particularly in areas related to emotions and decision-making. This can make teens more susceptible to mood disorders like depression.
Social Pressures: Teens often face immense pressure to fit in, succeed academically, and navigate social relationships. Bullying, peer pressure, and social media can exacerbate these pressures, leading to feelings of inadequacy and isolation.
Academic Stress: The pressure to excel academically, coupled with high expectations from parents and educators, can lead to stress and anxiety among teens.
Family Dynamics: Conflict or dysfunction within the family environment, such as parental divorce, substance abuse, or neglect, can contribute to teen depression.
Traumatic Events: Exposure to trauma, such as abuse, violence, or loss of a loved one, can significantly impact a teen's mental health and increase the risk of depression.
Genetic Predisposition: Teens with a family history of depression or other mental health disorders may have a higher genetic predisposition to developing depression themselves.
Substance Abuse: Experimentation with drugs or alcohol is relatively common among teenagers and can exacerbate feelings of depression or trigger the onset of depressive symptoms.