Full Bloom of Darkness
Depression
Depression is the final stage of the Bloom cycle and can be defined as a two-way stage. It can be either the start of a supported and multidisciplinary healing process, or it can be the end of one’s health before diagnosis and possible mental disorders. It is crucial for teenagers to find support throughout the entire cycle, but it is also essential for them to seek support during the stage of depression. Depression is not only the most serious stage, but it is also the most hurtful, and the one that will define whether one enters a process of recovery or downfall.
Symptoms
Usually, teens display symptoms of depression through changes in their attitude and behavior. These emotional and behavioral changes may include:
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Feelings of sadness (can include crying spells for no apparent reason)
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Frustration or feelings of anger
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Feeling hopeless
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Loss of interest
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Low self-esteem
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Frequent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide
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Trouble remembering things, concentrating, and making decisions
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Tiredness
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Loss of energy
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Insomnia or sleeping too much
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Changes in appetite
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Use of alcohol or drugs
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Self-harm
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Disruptive or risky behavior
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Social isolation
Causes
The causes of depressive states vary with each person, but as stated before in previous stages; it is common for people to share some with others, as depression can manifest itself similarly in certain ways. Some of these include:
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Poor concentration: it is common for teenagers to struggle to concentrate in situations of anxiety, stress, or grief, but it can also happen when they feel depressed.
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Disrupted sleep or fatigue: one can also notice teenage depressive thoughts when they struggle with sleep or rest. This can cause excessive fatigue and a constant need for rest, which they cannot find or reach. As they focus too much on their thoughts and feelings, they struggle to find a state of tranquility.
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Changes in appetite and weight: when teenagers become too self-indulged in their depressive state, they can resort to other coping mechanisms. These can either be a change in appetite, with excessive food intake and weight gain, or a loss of appetite, where one may lose significant weight.
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Low self-worth: this pattern of low self-esteem and worth is common among those with depressive mentalities, as one may feel like they are not enough for those around them. More specifically, they might feel as if they are not enough for those around them and must change to fit into other people’s standards. These beliefs can cloud their judgment, and further push them into feeling depressed and alone.
Effects
Having depression at a young age can affect every aspect of a teen’s life. From disrupting their ability to get up in the morning to having difficulty maintaining relationships and personal hygiene, depression can severely impact their social life, academic performance, physical health, and emotional well-being.
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A teenager facing depression may struggle to maintain their relationships with loved ones, leading to a sense of loneliness and disconnection. Because of their low energy, they begin to withdraw from social interactions, isolate themselves from friends and family, socialize less than before, and drop activities they used to love.
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Since depression is a mental disorder, it affects our brains and makes lasting changes within our neurological systems. This is particularly concerning for teenagers because their brains are still developing, and these changes can lead to a decline in academic performance.
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Depression can also lead to physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, joint pain, and back pain. In addition to these physical discomforts, people who are depressed also experience excessive tiredness, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes, which could be harmful to their overall health and well-being.
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Having constant and overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness can significantly and negatively impact a person’s well-being. These persistent emotions can lead to difficulties in daily functioning, affecting a teen’s relationships, work, and life. Overtime, these feelings may increase the chance of entering a cycle of isolation and emotional distress that is difficult to break without support from others.
Correlation to the Healing Process
As stated previously, depression is a two-way stage; it can either lead one toward a diagnosis of a mental disorder, or it can be the final stage before one initiates a process of healing and peace. It is important that one support before this stage of the cycle, but it can also be where one finally decides on self-development and improvement. This stage ultimately comes down to a culmination of all the prior stages, and a combination of previous situations that shape both the person’s judgment and their way of managing the situation. Depression is where one chooses (along with support) what they will do, and where one can take the big leap towards healing. It isn’t an easy process, nor a short one, but it is the way for a teenager to find healing despite the situation they might have come across.
