Depression is a medical problem that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities. This affects the way adolescents think, feel and behave. Depression can also cause physical and emotional problems. Common things that happen in adolescence, such as peer pressure and academic expectations, can have a much stronger effect on some teens than others. The lows they experience are not something normal. Dramatic changes in behavior and mood during the teenage years may be accepted as normal; however, more often than not, these young adults may suffer from depression. Although the cause of depression is unknown, there are many factors that contribute to the development of depression in adolescents. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of the risk of depression is genetic. This makes depression as heritable as many common complex medical conditions such as type II diabetes, asthma, and some cancers. However, in the case of depression, a specific gene is not involved; therefore making it difficult to discover the exact genetic cause. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that occur naturally and play a role in depression. Depression is more likely to occur in people whose blood relatives also suffer from or have had depression. Psychosocial variables involved in causing depression in adolescents include self-consciousness, self-esteem, and reduction in activities due to physical illness or injury. Changes in the body's hormonal balance are involved in triggering or causing depression. Traumatic events such as physical or emotional abuse or the loss of a parent can cause changes in the brain that make a person more likely to develop depression. Teenage depression may also be linked... center of paper ......teenage depression drugs: Prozac and Lexapro. Some antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts or behavior. In most cases, the benefits of antidepressants outweigh the possible risks. Overall, antidepressants generally reduce suicidal thinking or behavior. “Psychotherapy, also called psychological counseling or talk therapy, is a general term for treating depression by talking about depression and related problems with a mental health provider. Psychotherapy can be done individually, with family members or in a group” (mayoclinic.com). Through regular psychotherapy sessions, teens can learn about the causes of depression, how to make changes in their behavior or thoughts, find better ways to cope and solve problems, and learn to set realistic goals. This type of treatment often helps adolescents regain happiness and learn to control and relieve the symptoms of depression.