Understanding Teen Depression

Because the teenage years are naturally a time of emotional volatility, it's normal to sometimes feel angry, sad, isolated, or anxious; but if that deepens into a lingering state of despair that interferes with one's daily life, the cause may be depression. This honest look at a very complicated issue profiles four diverse teens, each with different root causes for their depression: Amelia, who has a family history of the disease; Ameris, who had a violent youth growing up in the projects; Vlad, an immigrant who was also the victim of constant bullying; and Elyse, who experienced severe mood swings from a very young age. Each one's negative and positive coping mechanisms differ as well: some broke the cycle through creative and social expression, while others relied on therapy and medication. Interviews with the four primary subjects, their parents, and two adult mental health professionals are woven together to offer a realistic look at causes and symptoms, together with steps for getting help, and a look at various treatments and therapies. Despite somewhat clumsy production values (including a highly distracting music background and amateurish interview setups), the content still resonates, as most of the information is presented via the real-life voices of young people telling their own stories. A strong optional purchase. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)