Understanding Adolescent
Depression
Mood swings among teenagers are a common observation and are
generally considered part of the ‘normal’ developmental
process. However, studies in developmental psychology suggest
that many teenagers experiencing the blues are actually
suffering from adolescent depression.
While the exact prevalence of adolescent depression is open to
question, some studies show that 5% of all adolescents suffer
from depressive disorders. Another alarming finding has been
the close connection between depression in adolescent years and
major depression in adult life. Depressed adolescents are
highly prone to depression in later life. Further, depression
in adolescent years usually recurs within a couple of
years.
Signs and Symptoms of Adolescent Depression
A main difference that distinguishes adolescent depression from
depression in adults is the higher degree and more frequent
occurrence of social and interpersonal difficulties, resulting
in the low self-esteem that characterizes teenage depression.
Also, adolescents are more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts in
response to their feelings of helplessness.
Isolating themselves socially is also more prevalent among
teenagers suffering from depression. Other signs and symptoms
of depression in adolescents include: excessive boredom,
persisting loss of interest in life activities, poor
concentration, anger, irritability, sadness and/or crying,
obsession with morbid themes in art, intolerance to even mild
criticism or rejection, eating and digestive problems,
headaches, and difficulty in sleeping.
Causes of Adolescent Depression
A single factor, or just a few factors, can’t be confidently
regarded as responsible for causing depression in adolescents.
Instead, a combination of genetic (biological), psychological,
and environmental/social factors act together to induce
depressive symptoms in teenagers. Adolescents born in families
with a history of depression are more likely to suffer from the
disorder.
Depression in adolescents has also been associated with the
lack or poor development of social skills. Another contributing
factor to adolescent depression is failure or suppressed
expression of sexuality; homosexuals being more prone to
depression on this account. Similarly, participation in sports
has been found to significantly lower the risk of depression
among adolescent individuals. Most important, perhaps, is an
adolescent’s level of adjustment with his/her parents.
Teenagers having difficulty in establishing individual identity
due to a problematic relationship with parents are more likely
to experience depression.
Intervention for Defusing Adolescent Depression
Since depression in adolescence invokes a high risk of suicide
by the patient, it is necessary to seek the services of a
mental health professional as soon as the symptoms of
adolescent depression are noticed. Paying attention and caring
for the depressed individual provides great support and so the
family and friends of depressed adolescents should become
sympathetic listeners to them.
Many schools now include coping strategies with depression as
part of awareness against mental illness and its dangers. In
any case, it is always helpful to seek the services of a
licensed professional counselor (LPC) for dealing with
depression in adolescents.
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