These may be signs of depression. No teen should have to face their challenges alone.
Empowering Teens to face the challenges of adolescence.
Additional information on Teen Depression
Discover the Facts About Depression in Teens By Heather Gomez
Depression in teens is now a worldwide phenomenon amongst teenagers. During these days, the teenage years are undoubtedly challenging and the number of depressed teenager is on the rise. They need to go through substantial changes in both physical and emotional which involve the way they feel, think and act. This unavoidably render into certain degree of moodiness or even a depression in some severe cases.
There causes of teenage depression vary from one to another and can be very complex to trace down properly. However, they can be narrowed down to a few of the common occurrences of teenage depression such as experiencing traumatic event. For example, divorce of their parents, death of their loved one or pet and abuse. However, it is important to note that not every teenager is unique and their ability to handle the traumatic events that may lead to depression. Whilst some teenagers may be affected by their parents divorce deeply, others may experience the same situation but seemingly unaffected. Another factor such as genetics can also be the reason a teenager to be more predisposed to depression as revealed by teen depression statistics.
There are many murkier cases where it is not easy to nail down the exact cause of teen depression. It is imperative that teenagers receive appropriate help right away and not let the condition of depression to get worsen whether the cause of teen depression is known or unknown. This is because the teen depression can become serious issue that not only affects themselves, but also to their entire family member and friends.
If you have the slightest inkling that your teen is suffering from some kinds of depression, be ascertain that you give all your supports and not to leave them isolated for extended periods of time. Depends on the severity of the condition, teenager who suffered from depression could pose potential suicide risk if they do not receive proper help and guidance in time. Never think this cannot happen to your child as suicidal thoughts that stem from teen depression can strike unexpectedly without warning. This is not meant to scare anyone but to give alarm to all the parents and to ensure that they understand the dangers of teen depression is very possible.
If you think that your teenager is suffering from depression in teens symptoms, make an appointment with your teen to see a doctor to get proper diagnosis and possible treatment. Do not delay in getting help and be sure to be as supportive as you can as you do not want to give further press on them and blame them for the problem.
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Treatments for Teen Depression By John Gibb
Teen Depression is a very important issue that must be given a lot of attention. Many people dismiss teens' depression because that's just how teens are. To a degree, yes teens are by nature moody. Teen depression however is very serious. Left untreated it can lead to tragic consequences. There are signs of teen depression that can be recognized if you are aware of them.
Teens may withdraw from family, friends, and activities; they may spend a lot of time in their rooms. A sense of deep sadness and of hopelessness, like nothing is going to get better for them may exist. They may feel like they are unable to attain their goals.
Low self-esteem anger and rage are also evidence of teen depression. Sensitivity to criticism, lack of motivation, and the inability to make decisions and concentrate also exist in depressed teens. Changes in sleep and/or diet, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts may be evident as well.
If your teen or if you know of a teen who may be depressed it is important to let them know you care and to get them help as soon as possible. Treatments for teen Depression are similar to that for adults. Psychotherapy and medication may be prescribed. The problem with medications though is that they have not been tested for long term use in teens. Research has also discovered that adult antidepressants that are used for young children to older teens have been known to cause suicidal ideation as well as attempts at suicide.
Another possible treatment that might be an option for your teen is Herbal Supplementation. A blend of specific herbs known to affect mood and other nutritive substances such as vitamins and minerals are formulated into a nutritional supplement, usually in capsule form. This type of supplement can work for mild to moderate cases of depression. There is not enough data to speak to how they influence more severe Depression.
Alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Reflexology may also be an option but should be thoroughly researched prior to attempting them on your teen. Consultation with your doctor and/or a practitioner of the above therapies may help determine if they’d be appropriate for your child’s needs.
Treatments for Teen Depression are possible and they can be effective in helping your teen and others. Depression is a serious illness no matter the age of the one who suffers with it. Getting appropriate help for your teen or others may help to avoid tragic consequences.
Pay attention to your teen when they tell you things. They may actually be indicating their difficulties. Provide a healthy diet, exercise, and encourage them to get good exercise could also ease their symptoms. Encourage participation in positive activities including personal hygiene. Encourage your teen to keep a journal and allow them to keep it private although sharing some things could help their counselor and them to recognize things that might trigger depressive episodes and perhaps find even more effective treatment(s). Be sure to keep therapy appointments and be sure your teen takes their medication consistently.
Do not ignore your teen’s Depression. Talk to them about it. Ask if they are worried about something or if they need to talk. Sometimes knowing you are someone they trust will be there when they are ready or need to talk will provide them with some relief. Teen depression has reached phenomenal proportions. There is a lot of hope not only for teens but for all who have to cope with some form of treatment.
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Teen Depression By Milos Pesic
Everyone feels down at some point. It’s normal to feel the “blues.” But if you are sad most of the time and the feeling is starting to affect your grades, relationships, and your behavior in many ways, then the problem may be more than just the “blues.” It may be teen depression, a serious illness that approximately four out of a hundred teenagers suffer through each year.
How do you when you’re depressed? Or when a friend might be depressed?
The signs of depression are numerous that there is usually no hard and fast rule to identifying all the symptoms of teen depression. But the most important thing to remember is that there are generally two types of teen depression.
Under the first type, you will find two other types of depression which vary only in their intensity – major depression or clinical depression (severe) and dysthymia or chronic depression (moderate but lasts for a longer period).
The second type of teen depression is referred to as bipolar depression, the depressive state of manic-depressive disorder, a condition wherein the subject suffers periodic bouts of mania or elevated mood and depression where the subject is often too low in energy that he would not be able to move.
It would take a health professional to distinguish the particular type of teen depression. It is advisable therefore that you consult professional help when you notice any of the following signs of teen depression:
* Persistent feelings of sadness (You cry a lot and for no apparent reason)
* Persistent feelings of guilt, again, for no real reason (You feel like you are no good or are worthless)
* Loss of confidence or low self-esteem
* You feel as though life is meaningless and that nothing good will ever come out of it.
* You always seem to be exhausted and you do not feel like doing the things that you used to enjoy a lot, like music, sports, being with friends, or going out. Most of the time, you just want to be left alone.
* You keep getting distracted and you can’t seem to concentrate. You also forget things, or you do things without any recollection of doing them.
* Little things make you lose your temper. You get irritated very easily, or you overreact.
* Your sleep pattern changes. Either you sleep more or you sleep less or you can’t seem to fall asleep or stay asleep. You wake up too early most mornings and have difficulty falling back to sleep. Insomnia (too little sleep) or hyposomnia (too much sleep) sets in.
* Your eating habits also change. You have lost your appetite or you eat a lot more. Weight gain or weight loss is drastic.
* You think about death, or feel like you are dying, or you have thoughts about committing suicide, whether or not you have the energy to actually harm yourself.
Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Overcome Depression blog. For more articles and resources on Depression related topics, visit his blog at:
http://overcome-depression.blogspot.com/
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Teen Depression Facts and Myths By Craig Tesch
Depression is a mental health disorder that can have a serious effect on a person's life. Although it can affect people of all ages, it can be especially tough for a teenager to deal with. While it's normal for a teen to act out or be moody at times, depression is different and isn't something to be shrugged off. Untreated depression can lead to the increased possibility of risky behavior, including alcohol or drug abuse, and even suicide.
In the United States, approximately 20% of teens will experience some form of depression before they reach the age of 18, but it's important to know that depression is a very treatable disorder. Through awareness and education, teens will be more likely to receive the proper treatment. One of the ways to bring about greater awareness is by debunking the myths commonly associated with depression.
Myth: Teens don't really get depressed. It's just hormones or moodiness.
While it's true that bouts of sadness or occasional moodiness can be part of the teen years, these moods usually pass quickly. But when feelings of intense sadness linger for several weeks, it may be a sign of clinical depression. Some other signs of clinical depression include:
- A loss of interest in things they normally enjoy
- Persistent sadness, frequent bouts of crying or tearfulness
- Lack of interest in personal hygiene
- Changes in appetite (either overeating or lack of appetite)
- Changes in sleep patterns, either oversleeping or insomnia
- Frequent irritation or bursts of anger
- Acting out, such as getting into trouble at school
- Alcohol or drug use
Myth: Teens who get depressed are only making excuses. They just need to toughen up and pull themselves together.
This type of thinking will only make the depression worse. Depression is not a sign of weakness; it's a very real and treatable disorder.
Myth: Talking about depression will only make it worse.
Talking with a trained therapist will help them find positive ways to deal with their emotions, work on coping and communication skills, and develop better ways to handle relationships. If it's necessary, medication may be prescribed by a physician to help them cope. Whether it's therapy, or a combination of therapy and medication, teens can find relief from depression and get their lives back.
If you feel your teen is experiencing depression, let them know that help is available and that you are there to support them. With proper help and attention, things can get better.
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A Fact Sheet
From the National Institute of Mental Health
Depressive disorders, which include major depressive disorder (unipolar depression), dysthymic disorder (chronic, mild depression), and bipolar disorder (manic-depression), can have far reaching effects on the functioning and adjustment of young people. Among both children and adolescents, depressive disorders confer an increased risk for illness and interpersonal and psychosocial difficulties that persist long after the depressive episode is resolved; in adolescents there is also an increased risk for substance abuse and suicidal behavior. Unfortunately, these disorders often go unrecognized by families and physicians alike.
Signs of depressive disorders in young people often are viewed as normal mood swings typical of a particular developmental stage. In addition, health care professionals may be reluctant to prematurely "label" a young person with a mental illness diagnosis. Yet early diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders are critical to healthy emotional, social, and behavioral development.
Although the scientific literature on treatment of children and adolescents with depression is far less extensive than that concerning adults, a number of studies-mostly conducted in the last four to five years-have confirmed the short-term efficacy and safety of treatments for depression in youth. Larger treatment trials are needed to determine which treatments work best for which youngsters, and studies are also needed, however, on how to best incorporate these treatments into primary care practice.
Given the challenging nature of the problem, it is usually advisable to involve a child psychiatrist or psychologist in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a child or adolescent in whom depression is suspected.
This fact sheet, prepared by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the lead Federal agency for research on mental disorders, summarizes some of the latest scientific findings on child and adolescent depression and lists resources where physicians can obtain more information.
Scope of the Problem
A number of epidemiological studies have reported that up to 2.5 percent of children and up to 8.3 percent of adolescents in the U.S. suffer from depression. An NIMH-sponsored study of 9- to 17-year-olds estimates that the prevalence of any depression is more than 6 percent in a 6-month period, with 4.9 percent having major depression. In addition, research indicates that depression onset is occurring earlier in life today than in past decades. A recently published longitudinal prospective study found that early-onset depression often persists, recurs, and continues into adulthood, and indicates that depression in youth may also predict more severe illness in adult life.
Depression in young people often co-occurs with other mental disorders, most commonly anxiety, disruptive behavior, or substance abuse disorders, and with physical illnesses, such as diabetes.
Suicide. Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviors. This risk may rise, particularly among adolescent boys, if the depression is accompanied by conduct disorder and alcohol or other substance abuse. In 1997, suicide was the third leading cause of death in 10- to 24-year-olds. NIMH-supported researchers found that among adolescents who develop major depressive disorder, as many as 7 percent may commit suicide in the young adult years.
Consequently, it is important for doctors and parents to take all threats of suicide seriously.
NIMH researchers are developing and testing various interventions to prevent suicide in children and adolescents. Early diagnosis and treatment, accurate evaluation of suicidal thinking, and limiting young people's access to lethal agents-including firearms and medications-may hold the greatest suicide prevention value.
Clinical Characteristics
The diagnostic criteria and key defining features of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents are the same as they are for adults. However, recognition and diagnosis of the disorder may be more difficult in youth for several reasons.
The way symptoms are expressed varies with the developmental stage of the youngster. In addition, children and young adolescents with depression may have difficulty in properly identifying and describing their internal emotional or mood states. For example, instead of communicating how bad they feel, they may act out and be irritable toward others, which may be interpreted simply as misbehavior or disobedience. Research has found that parents are even less likely to identify major depression in their adolescents than are the adolescents themselves.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder Common to Adults, Children, and Adolescents
Persistent sad or irritable mood
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Significant change in appetite or body weight
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Difficulty concentrating
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Five or more of these symptoms must persist for 2 or more weeks before a diagnosis of major depression is indicated.
Signs That May Be Associated with Depression in Children and Adolescents
Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness.
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
. Talk of or efforts to run away from home, outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability, or crying, being bored, lack of interest in playing with friends.
Alcohol or substance abuse
Social isolation, poor communication,
fear of death,
extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
reckless behavior
difficulty with relationships.
While the recovery rate from a single episode of major depression in children and adolescents is quite high, episodes are likely to recur. In addition, youth with dysthymic disorder are at risk for developing major depression. Prompt identification and treatment of depression can reduce its duration and severity and associated functional impairment.
Screening
There are several tools that are useful for screening children and adolescents for possible depression. They include the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) for ages 7 to 17; and, for adolescents, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. When a youngster screens positive on any of these instruments, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by a mental health professional is warranted. The evaluation should include interviews with the youth, parents, and when possible, other informants such as teachers and social services personnel.
Risk Factors
In childhood, boys and girls appear to be at equal risk for depressive disorders; but during adolescence, girls are twice as likely as boys to develop depression. Children who develop major depression are more likely to have a family history of the disorder, often a parent who experienced depression at an early age, than patients with adolescent- or adult-onset depression. Adolescents with depression are also likely to have a family history of depression, though the correlation is not as high as it is for children.
Other risk factors include:
Stress
Cigarette smoking
A loss of a parent or loved one
Break-up of a romantic relationship
Attentional, conduct or learning disorders
Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes
Abuse or neglect
Other trauma, including natural disasters
Treatment
Treatment for depressive disorders in children and adolescents often involves short-term psychotherapy, medication, or the combination, and targeted interventions involving the home or school environment. There remains, however, a pressing need for additional research on the effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for depression in youth.
While data from adults indicate the need for maintenance treatment after episode recovery in order to prevent recurrences, the value of such treatment in children and adolescents has yet to be determined through research.
Psychotherapy. Recent research shows that certain types of short-term psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help relieve depression in children and adolescents. CBT is based on the premise that people with depression have cognitive distortions in their views of themselves, the world, and the future. CBT, designed to be a time-limited therapy, focuses on changing these distortions. An NIMH-supported study that compared different types of psychotherapy for major depression in adolescents found that CBT led to remission in nearly 65 percent of cases, a higher rate than either supportive therapy or family therapy. CBT also resulted in a more rapid treatment response.
Another specific psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy (IPT), focuses on working through disturbed personal relationships that may contribute to depression. IPT has not been well investigated in youth with depression; however, one controlled study found that IPT led to greater improvement than clinical contact alone.
Continuing psychotherapy for several months after remission of symptoms may help patients and families consolidate the skills learned during the acute phase of depression, cope with the after-effects of the depression, effectively address environmental stressors, and understand how the young person's thoughts and behaviors could contribute to a relapse.
Medication
Research clearly demonstrates that antidepressant medications, especially when combined with psychotherapy, can be very effective treatments for depressive disorders in adults. Using medication to treat mental illness in children and adolescents, however, has caused controversy. Many doctors have been understandably reluctant to treat young people with psychotropic medications because, until fairly recently, little evidence was available about the safety and efficacy of these drugs in youth.
In the last few years, however, researchers have been able to conduct randomized, placebo-controlled studies with children and adolescents. Some of the newer antidepressant medications, specifically the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been shown to be safe and efficacious for the short-term treatment of severe and persistent depression in young people, although large scale studies in clinical populations are still needed. So far, there are two controlled studies showing efficacy of fluoxetine and paroxetine, respectively.
It is important to note that available studies do not support the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) for depression in youth.
Medication as a first-line course of treatment should be considered for children and adolescents with severe symptoms that would prevent effective psychotherapy, those who are unable to undergo psychotherapy, those with psychosis, and those with chronic or recurrent episodes. Following remission of symptoms, continuation treatment with medication and/or psychotherapy for at least several months may be recommended by the psychiatrist, given the high risk of relapse and recurrence of depression.
Discontinuation of medications, as appropriate, should be done gradually over 6 weeks or longer.
NIMH has initiated a large-scale, controlled clinical trial at 10 sites across the U.S. to compare the long-term effectiveness of fluoxetine, CBT, and the combination of these interventions for treatment of depression in adolescents. More information about this trial, called the Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), and others can be found through the Clinical Trials page of the NIMH web site at www.nimh.nih.gov/studies/index.cfm.
Talking With Parents
It is very important for parents to understand their child's depression and the treatments that may be prescribed. Physicians can help by talking with parents about their questions or concerns, reinforcing that depression in youth is not uncommon, and reassuring them that appropriate treatment with psychotherapy, medication, or the combination can lead to improved functioning at school, with peers, and at home with family. In addition, referring the youth and family to a mental health professional and to the information resources listed at the back of this publication can help to enhance recovery.
Other Types of Depression in Children and Adolescents
Bipolar Disorder
Although rare in young children, bipolar disorder-also known as manic-depressive illness-can appear in both children and adolescents. Bipolar disorder, which involves unusual shifts in mood, energy, and functioning, may begin with either manic, depressive, or mixed manic and depressive symptoms. It is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. Twenty to 40 percent of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within 5 years after depression onset.
Existing evidence indicates that bipolar disorder beginning in childhood or early adolescence may be a different, possibly more severe form of the illness than older adolescent- and adult-onset bipolar disorder. When the illness begins before or soon after puberty, it is often characterized by a continuous, rapid-cycling, irritable, and mixed symptom state that may co-occur with disruptive behavior disorders, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder (CD), or may have features of these disorders as initial symptoms. In contrast, later adolescent- or adult-onset bipolar disorder tends to begin suddenly, often with a classic manic episode, and to have a more episodic pattern with relatively stable periods between episodes. There is also less co-occurring ADHD or CD among those with later onset illness.
Bipolar Disorder: Manic Symptoms
Severe changes in mood-either extremely irritable or overly silly and elated
overly-inflated self-esteem; grandiosity
Increased energy
decreased need for sleep-able to go with very little or no sleep for days without tiring
Increased talking-talks too much, too fast; changes topics too quickly; cannot be interrupted
Distractibility-attention moves constantly from one thing to the next
Hypersexuality-increased sexual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors; use of explicit sexual language
Increased goal-directed activity or physical agitation
Disregard of risk-excessive involvement in risky behaviors or activities.
A child or adolescent who appears to be depressed and exhibits ADHD-like symptoms that are very severe, with excessive temper outbursts and mood changes, should be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in bipolar disorder, particularly if there is a family history of the illness. This evaluation is especially important since psychostimulant medications, often prescribed for ADHD, may worsen manic symptoms. There is also limited evidence suggesting that some of the symptoms of ADHD may be a forerunner of full-blown mania.
The essential treatment of bipolar disorder in adults involves the use of appropriate doses of mood stabilizing medications, typically lithium and/or valproate, which are often very effective for controlling mania and preventing recurrences of manic and depressive episodes. Treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder is based mainly on experience with adults, since as yet there is very limited data on the safety and efficacy of mood stabilizing medications in youth. Researchers currently are evaluating both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder in young people.
Bipolar Disorder: A Warning About Antidepressants and Psychostimulants
Using antidepressant medication to treat depression in a person who has bipolar disorder may induce manic symptoms if it is taken without a mood stabilizer, such as lithium or valproate. In addition, using psychostimulant medications to treat ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms in a child or adolescent with bipolar disorder may worsen manic symptoms. While it can be hard to determine which young patients will become manic, there is a greater likelihood among children and adolescents who have a family history of bipolar disorder.
If manic symptoms develop or markedly worsen during antidepressant or stimulant use, a child psychiatrist should be consulted, and treatment for bipolar disorder should be considered. Physicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of mania so that they can educate families on how to recognize these and report them immediately.
Valproate Use
According to studies conducted in Finland in patients with epilepsy, valproate may increase testosterone levels in teenage girls and produce polycystic ovary syndrome in women who began taking the medication before age 20. Increased testosterone can lead to polycystic ovary syndrome with irregular or absent menses, obesity, and abnormal growth of hair. Therefore, young female patients prescribed valproate should be monitored carefully.
Dysthymic disorder (or dysthymia)
This less severe yet typically more chronic form of depression is diagnosed when depressed mood persists for at least one year in children or adolescents and is accompanied by at least two other symptoms of major depression. Dysthymia is associated with an increased risk for developing major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. Treatment of dysthmia may prevent the deterioration to more severe illness. If dysthymia is suspected in a young patient, referral to a mental health specialist is indicated for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and appropriate treatment.
