What is Depression?
A lot of people get the blues, but what's the difference between being depressed and just being sad? Basically, sadness happens to everyone and is a natural reaction to hurtful experiences. Depression is an illness that may or may not have triggers. It can be described as a persistent feeling of unhappiness with symptoms that can be both emotional or physical.
Can Kids Be Depressed?
In the past, a lot of people assumed that kids and teens did not suffer from depression. But over the years, professionals have acknowledged that young people can indeed be affected.
According to About's Guide to depression,"Depression is a biologically-based illness and children can fall prey to it just like adults. We might expect that children experiencing extreme stress due to events such as divorce or abuse might be at risk, but even children who seem to have a "perfect" life can suffer from depression. Children with an inherited tendency towards depression have a low tolerance for stress. What might seem inconsequential to an adult could easily trigger depression in these children."
Depression and Gay Teens
Like any other teen, a gay teen may suffer from depression. Sometimes the reasons are similar to those of straight teens, but sometimes they are different. Gay teens may experience depression if they are rejected by family or society for for being gay, or are the victims of bullying or harassment because of this. In extreme cases, depression can even lead to suicidal thoughts.
Where Can Gay Teens Get Help?
A lot of gay teens with depression find that talking to a counselor can help. It is often a good idea to get a GLBT-friendly therapist. If this isn't an option, you might want to consider calling a hotline. The GLBT Youth Talkline is a good place to start. If you are ever feeling suicidal, the Trevor Project is an excellent resource for gay teens.
