Today's adolescents are faced with the ever-changing world around them and the biological changes in their bodies. Many teenagers also suffer from depression. About half of adolescents with untreated depression may attempt suicide, which remains the third leading cause of death in this age group. (Bostico). This depression affects their school, family life and robs them of their self-image. Depression affects many teenagers and often goes unnoticed and untreated. What is depression? Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. Depression ranges from mild feelings of distress, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal desperation. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the individual to self-harm or even suicide. Some of the major symptoms of depression include: inability to experience pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, abnormal eating and sleeping habits, restlessness, inability to concentrate, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Depression affects people of all ages and backgrounds. However, post-pubertal girls are twice as likely to suffer from major depression as boys, and some populations, such as gay and bisexual youth and American Indians, suffer from higher rates of depression. (Cash) Gay or bisexual individuals suffer from higher rates of depression due to a lack of acceptance of their lifestyle. This disorder affects daily life and causes pain to both oneself and loved ones. So reports indicate that depression may be linked to an increased level of irritation and aggression. (Hyde) Depression can be triggered by many different things and is not limited to just one. Without treatment, depressed adolescents are at greater risk of academic failure, social isolation,… middle of paper… affect their lives tremendously. All you have to do is lend a hand to help them overcome their depression and you might just save a life. Works Cited Bostic, Jeff Q. “Adolescent Depression: When Should You Worry?” Newsweek May 16, 2005: 52. Proquest. Network. December 3, 2013. Cash, Ralph E. “When Depression Knocks Down Teens.” The Digest of Education. 69.3 (2003): 35-42. Proquest. Network. 22 November 2013. “DEPRESSION HITS HOME”. Children's Voice, November 2003: 14-5. Proquest. Network. November 26, 2013 Hyde, Margaret O., Forsyth, Elizabeth H. "Depression: What You Need to Know." Franklin Watts, 2002Kasschau, Richard A. “Understanding Psychology” Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.Martin, Michael J. “Teen Depression.” Lucent Books, 2005. Print. December 3, 2013.W. Meghan “10 things that can cause teenage depression”. Mindyourmind.ca. Mind Your Mind, 22 May 2013. Web. 10 March 2014.