Adolescent Depression
The rates of depression worldwide have begun to reach epidemic numbers. Roughly eight million people in North America suffer from the condition, with major depression and bipolar disorder listed as the most frequent diagnoses. In most cases, these conditions first begin to develop or display their symptoms in the teenage years, and most mental health experts agree that early recognition of these conditions will have profound effects on later morbidity and mortality.
The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last ten years. The latest statistics show that more than 20% of teens in the general population suffer from emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression. Yet, adolescent depression is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, leading to problems with school, work and personal relationships. The good news is that the vast majority of adolescent depression can be successfully managed with early treatment and the appropriate support.
Adolescent Depression: The Symptoms
Depression in adolescence exhibits the same symptoms as it does in adults. However, teens may show their symptoms differently than adults do. For instance, persistent sadness, hopelessness and helplessness are common symptoms of depression. A teen may not outwardly talk of these feelings, but they may wear black clothing, write morbid poetry, or draw disturbing pictures to project their feelings. Sleep disturbances are another common symptom of depression, and in teens this may often be overlooked as laziness. Teens that continually miss classes and avoid hanging out with friends may be experiencing the lack of energy, apathy, and reduced motivation that is associated with depression. Appetite changes can lead to the development of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Poor performance in school could be due to concentration problems and slowed cognitive thinking. Substance abuse and malicious rebellion may also be signs of adolescent depression.
Adolescent Depression: The Diagnosis
Adolescent depression is often difficult to catch and diagnose unless parents and health care providers are paying careful attention. The teenage years are full of emotional turmoil, mood swings, pessimism, intense drama, and hypersensitivity. Many parents, teachers, and doctors come to expect rebellion and experimentation from teens and they may miss signs of a true clinical depression. Therefore, the teen’s entire support system must work together to assess personality changes, stress levels, and any other obvious symptoms which could indicate that the teen is depressed.
Adolescent Depression: The Treatment
There are two main methods of treatment for depression in both adults and adolescents: therapy and medication. Depending upon the intensity of the symptoms, one or both of these treatment methods may be needed.
Therapy is a good starting point for treating adolescent depression. It can help teens understand why they’re depressed and how they can better cope with stressful situations. Depending on the situation, treatment may consist of individual, group or family counseling. Therapy often helps teens to change their negative patterns of thinking and behavior, and develop healthier relationships both at home and at school.
Usually, medication is reserved for severe cases of adolescent depression which have not responded to therapy alone. The teenage brain is still developing, and many mental health specialists are reluctant to add medication if it is not truly necessary. Traditional anti-depressant drugs generally are poorly tolerated by teenagers because of the common side effects, including drowsiness, sedation and anticholinergic action. However, in extreme instances, medication may be used to reduce or alleviate symptoms, especially when the danger of suicide is present.
Adolescent Depression: The Risk of Suicide
It’s not uncommon for teens to be preoccupied with death. For many young people, the teenage years are the first time the fully become aware of their own mortality and that of others. They may begin to contemplate the effect of their own death, or that of their friends and family members. This propensity for morbidity, combined with a bout of adolescent depression greatly increases the risk of teenage suicide.
As mentioned earlier, the teenage years are full of turmoil. Often, adults may overlook the latest “crises” in their teen’s life as a yet another insignificant event. However, to a teen, especially one who is suffering from depression, this insignificant event may seem insurmountable. Problems with a boyfriend or girlfriend, a poor grade on a test, or an embarrassing event at school could push a depressed teen over the edge. Personality changes, social withdraw, or talk of suicide should all be taken very seriously as possible indicators of depression and suicide.
If a depressed adolescent can recognize the need for help, it’s a major step toward their recovery. However, it may be especially difficult for teens to reach out for help. Encouragement from a teacher, a friend, or a family member may be just the thing to help them see their depression as the illness that it is.