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Depression and Adolescents
The teen years are emotionally turbulent -- even for
adolescents who are loved and well-adjusted. For kids who feel neglected or
abused in any way, being a teenager can be a living hell. No wonder that many
teens experience significant depression, and that suicide is the second leading
cause of teen death (after accidents).
Parents, teachers, friends, and relatives have two major problems when
attempting to spot and deal with teen depression. First, teens' emotions
fluctuate wildly, with major highs and lows often daily, making it hard to tell
normal blues from true depression. Second, teens often express their depression
in ways parents don't expect. Instead of the typical symptoms -- apathy,
lethargy, withdrawal, helplessness, hopelessness, unusual sleep patterns (either
too much or too little) and loss of joy in life -- depressed teens are apt to be
intensely irritable, have angry outbursts, and experience problems in school.
In the US each year 250,000 teens attempt
suicide, and 2,000 complete it. Since 1960, teen suicides have doubled. Girls
are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys kill themselves four times more
often, usually with guns. Risk factors for teen suicide include:
delinquency, drug abuse, social problems, and families disrupted by death
(particularly suicide), divorce, abuse, and parental neglect. Another
element in teen suicide is social isolation. Another reason for teen
suicide -- overlooked until recently -- is homosexuality. By one estimate, as
many as 30% of teen suicides are gay.
To deal with teen depression, look for its classic symptoms:
apathy, lethargy, withdrawal, helplessness, hopelessness, unusual sleep
patterns, and loss of joy in life. In addition, look for the symptoms unique to
teens with depression: intense irritability, angry outbursts, problems in
school, delinquency, drug abuse, and social problems. Assess their ability to
bounce back from disappointment. Ask about their future plans. If they seem
mired in despair, seek professional help. Antidepressant medication is usually
effective.
[ Up ]
[ Depression Biochemistry ] [ Depression and Anxiety ] [ Depression and Loss of Sex Drive ] [ Depression and Sleep Problems ] [ Depression and Suicide ] [ Depression and the Elderly ] [ Depression and Adolescents ] [ Depression and Chronic Illness ] [ Depression and Weight ] [ Co-occurence of Depression with Other Illnesses ]
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