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Recognizing teen depression
It is common for adolescents to occasionally feel unhappy.
However, when the unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks, and the teen
experiences other symptoms typical of depression (see below), then he or she may
be suffering from depression.
Estimates on how many adolescents experience depression vary
from 3 to 10 percent. At any given time, from 2 to 6 percent of school-age children are
thought to be suffering from depression.
There are many reasons why teenagers become unhappy. Many teens
see their daily lives as highly stressful, which can lead to
feelings of hopelessness and depression. Teens can develop feelings of
worthlessness and inadequacy over school pressures and performance, social
interactions, sexual orientation, or family life. If friends or family, or
interactions that the teen usually enjoys don't help to improve his or her mood or
sense of isolation, there's a good chance that he or she is depressed.
Depression can be more common among adolescents who have a
history of depression in their families.
If you believe your teenager is suffering from depression, seek help from a qualified health care professional, such as your child's
pediatrician.
What are the symptoms of teen depression?
Often, depressed teens will display a striking change in their thinking and
behavior, lose their motivation, or become withdrawn and irritable. The
following are the major signs of depression in adolescents:
- Sadness, anxiety, or a
feeling of hopelessness
- Loss of interest in
food or compulsive overeating that results in
rapid weight loss or gain
- Staying awake at night
and sleeping during the day, or waking at night/trouble staying asleep
- Withdrawal from
friends
- Rebellious behavior,
sudden drop in grades, or cutting school
- Complaints of pains,
including headaches, stomachaches, low back pain
or fatigue
- Use of alcohol or
drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
- A preoccupation with
death and dying
How is depression diagnosed in adolescents?
There are no specific medical tests that can be performed to
detect
depression. Health care professionals determine if an adolescent is depressed
by using psychological tests and detailed clinical interviews with the
individual and his or her family members, teachers, and peers. The severity of
depression and the risk of suicide are determined based on the assessment from
these interviews. Treatment recommendations also are made based on the data
collected from the complete assessment.
Treating depression
There are a variety of methods to treat depression. Your
mental health care
provider will determine the best course of treatment for your teen.
Treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy, talking therapies and
sometimes, medication.
Teen suicide
Suicide is a serious problem within the teenage population.
Adolescent suicide
is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults in the United
States.
It is estimated that 500,000 teens attempt suicide every year, with 5,000
succeeding. These are epidemic proportions.
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Threatening to kill
one's self/talk of killing one's self
- Preparing for death,
giving away favorite possessions, writing
goodbye letters, or making a will
- Expressing a
hopelessness for the future
- Giving up on one's
self, talking as if no one else cares
If your teenager displays any of these behaviors,
seek help from a
mental health care professional immediately.
Why do teens attempt suicide?
Suicide is an act of desperation. Depression is often the root
cause. It can
make problems seem overwhelming and the associated pain unbearable. Family
difficulties, the loss of a loved one, or perceived failures at school or in relationships can all lead to negative feelings and depression.
If a depressed teen is treated with an antidepressant and does
not improve or appears more negative, it is very important to discuss this
with the child's doctor. Changes in medication should only be made in
consultation with your child's doctor.
Advice for parents
Parenting teenagers can be very challenging. Some
communication techniques can
go a long way toward lowering the stress level of your teenager:
- When disciplining your
child, replace shame and punishment with
positive reinforcement for good behavior. Shame and punishment can make an
adolescent feel worthless and inadequate.
- Allow your teenager to
make mistakes. Overprotection or making
decisions for teens can be perceived as a lack of faith in their abilities.
This can make them feel less confident.
- Give your teen
breathing room. Don't expect him or her to do exactly
as you say all of the time.
- Do not force your
child down a path you wanted him or her to follow. Avoid
trying to relive your youth through your child's activities and experiences.
- Be comfortable setting
limits and guidelines.
- Get to know your
teen's friends and their families.
If you suspect that your child is depressed, take the time to
listen to his or
her concerns. Even if you don't think the problem is of real concern, remember
that it may feel very real to someone who is growing up. It is important to
keep the lines of communication open, even if your child seems to want to
withdraw. Try to avoid telling your child what to do; instead, listen closely
and you may discover more about the issues causing the problems.
If you feel overwhelmed or unable to reach your child, or if
you continue to
be concerned, seek help from a qualified health care professional.
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