{"id":27035,"date":"2018-05-19T15:05:58","date_gmt":"2018-05-19T20:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backtobasicslearning.com\/?p=27035"},"modified":"2018-11-13T12:02:44","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T17:02:44","slug":"depression-in-high-achieving-teens-what-parents-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backtobasicslearning.com\/depression-in-high-achieving-teens-what-parents-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Depression in high achieving teens: What parents need to know!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TeenSimple teen angst… or something more serious? It\u2019s a question most parents of teens have asked themselves at one time or another. And, with good reason! According to\u00a0WebMD<\/a>, \u201c\u2026findings show that one out of every eight adolescents has experienced teen depression.\u201d<\/p>\n

The link between stress and depression<\/b><\/p>\n

According to Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Coach Melissa Cohen, \u201cStress is the body\u2019s reaction to a challenge. Although the right kind of stress can sharpen the mind and reflexes, not all stress is created equally. The American Psychological Association identifies three distinct types of stress which include:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acute stress: the most common form and is the result of recent or anticipated stressors.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Episodic stress: acute stress that occurs frequently. This is the kind of stress that continuously pops up, sometimes in a pattern.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chronic acute: a never-ending stress that relentlessly wears away at you.<\/p>\n

\u201cStress produces a physiological reaction in your body. Hormones are released, which results in physical manifestations of stress. These can include slowed digestion, shaking, tunnel vision, accelerated breathing and heart rate, dilation of pupils and flushed skin. This process is often referred to as the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response. That is just what it sounds like: Our bodies are poised to either run away from the stressor or stick around and fight against it,\u201d explains Cohen.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, stress \u2013 especially chronic stress \u2014 often leads to depression.<\/p>\n

Why high achieving teens are at risk for depression\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

High achieving teens are often the most stress \u2014 from college applications, competitive sports, a rigorous academic schedule, a part-time job. This means that these superstars are at an even greater<\/em> risk for depression.<\/p>\n

But, parents can help!<\/p>\n