Depression and Euphoria through the Teenage Experience

Opposites is a concept that is experienced by people of all ages, including teenagers. They represent two opposing poles, each with its own unique characteristics and qualities. In this article, we will explore the opposites of « euphoria » and « depression » as experienced by teenagers.

Euphoria and depression are two opposites that could have a profound impact on the teenage experience. Euphoria is often associated with a sense of joy, elevated mood, and happiness. It is a state of being that is characterized by positive emotions and a general sense of well-being.

Depression, on the other hand, is often characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. It is a state of being that is characterized by negative emotions and a general sense of disconnection from the world around us. In a generation full of social anxiety, identity turmoils and sensitivity, it is easy for them to be affected by the latter. Social media is playing a huge role in making this worse than it is. Through Instagram, showing what isn’t real is the new norm. And an alarming number of these teenagers can’t tell the difference and it sets unrealistic expectations and creates feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

COVID-19 made number rocket, depression and other mental health disorders are rising at all times high like ADHD, which 30% of teenagers and kids diagnosed with it suffer from depression, mood disorders, eating disorders and addiction. According to a 2023 statistic, 2.08 million or 8.33% of 12 to 17 year olds in the United States reported using drugs in the last month. These teens suffering from depression are seeking artificial euphoria to escape their reality.

You, dear reader, could save your child or someone else’s, by noticing and addressing the issue. Opposing all the alarming numbers, we’re seeing quite the shift in the mental health awareness game, we could say we reached “peak mental health”, people have a sense of recognition and it’s not a taboo topic anymore. Thanks to Hollywood celebrities and the film and tv industry for making it go mainstream, you could openly talk to your family and even coworkers that you go to therapy.

Teenagers are normalizing talking about their feelings and addressing their mental health issues, giving each other the space and allowing the opportunity to heal and experience healthy euphoria without shame and judgment. A thing the previous generations failed so miserably at. Maybe that this generation is going through a lot that just had them coping with it in a healthy manner to try and end this generational concern that is only getting worse year by year.

But we’re still many ages away from having these numbers go down, technology is changing too fast and the future holds uncertainty for the mental health department. Does humanity have a chance for healing? This generation is at least hopeful.