A phrase commonly tossed around by teens is “I am depressed,” yet many don’t even know what depression really is.

Currently, depression is the most common mental health disorder for teenagers in the United States. About 20 percent of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood and 15 percent of teens with depression will develop bipolar disorder by adulthood.

Teen depression can affect any teen regardless of background, gender or race. However, there are more reports of girls suffering from depression than boys.This may be due to society’s expectations of teenage girls showing their emotions while boys are encouraged otherwise.

Teen depression can lead to many problems, such as relationship and social issues, physical illnesses such as colds, and disruptions in school or at work.

High school counselor, Donna Eisen, said, “Teens who are depressed are sad for most of the day, every day. They have diminished interest and pleasure in all or most activities, lose or gain weight, can have insomnia, lack of energy or extreme feelings of restlessness, and feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. They will have diminished concentration and reccurring thoughts of death. These feelings are there for long periods of time.”

The biggest problem, however,  with teenage depression is suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. A depressed teen has a 12 percent higher chance of suicide.

Eisen said, “When a teen is depressed, she talks about death often and shows all or most of the symptoms of depression. As a high school counselor, I am told to strongly encourage students and families to see a psychiatrist or clinical therapist. These individuals are licensed to test and diagnose.”

Depression can affect any teenager because of sudden chemical changes in the body or from a traumatic event or a series of events that occurs in her life.

When a teen is depressed from a single event that happens, the depression is called episodic. A depression from a combination of events is considered long-term depression.

The solution for depression includes seeing a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and getting professional help.

Teens or concerned loved ones who suspect depression should seek help. Organizations which can be contacted are Alakai Na Keiki 523-7771, Catholic Charities Family Services 521-4357, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division 733-9333 and Child Family Services 681-3500.