TEENAGERS AND DEPRESSION

AS A PARENT YOU NEED TO KNOW THE SIGNS, RISKS WILL HELP TEENS GET TREATMENT NEEDED FOR DEPRESSION

The transition from childhood to adulthood is awkward and emotional for most teenagers. It’s not unusual for them to experience mood swings, changes in their sleep patterns, and added anxiety about relationships, school and their changing bodies.

Sometimes, however, those experiences can become much more than just a normal part of growing up. In fact, for one in 12 American teenagers, they’re a part of something much more serious – teenage depression.

But very few teenagers who may experience serious depression get professional treatment because it’s often difficult to recognize, especially during the emotionally turbulent years of adolescence. However, physicians at the University of Michigan Health System say if parents and teenagers are aware of the warning signs, causes and risks involved with depression, it’s possible to get medical treatment to help overcome this condition.

Without proper treatment or acknowledgement, teenage depression can become a very serious condition. For many teens, depression can have a negative effect on their school performance and social activities. Others may develop substance or alcohol abuse problems, or even become suicidal.

Depression, unlike the typical teenage blues, is a persistent, recurring condition that can last for weeks or months, and interferes with a person’s ability sleep, eat, concentrate or feel any pleasure in life. And among adolescents, depression is a very common condition, especially during mid-adolescence years, says Jerry Rushton, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician at the U-M Health System, and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, who specializes in and studies depression and other behavior issues among kids and teens.

“We know that many teenagers experience depressed moods or have temporary reactions to stress or other problems that come up during adolescence,” he says. “However, for a truly depressed teens, this is not something that can be simply shaken off or outgrown.”

In 1997, suicide was the third leading cause of death in 10 to 24 year-olds, according to the National Institute of Mental Health – and NIMH-supported researchers have found that depression is a major contributor in teen suicide.

“Parents often fall into the trap of just assuming that these behaviors are normal for adolescents,” he says. “If they talk with their child’s physician, mental health provider or school counselor to find out how the teen is acting and functioning in school or other activities, it will help them determine if their mood is something that’s persistent and a possibly serious problem.”

According to the NIMH, some of the most common signs that a teen is seriously depressed include ongoing sadness, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, outbursts, irritability, lost of interest in everyday activities, reckless behavior, social isolation, alcohol or substance abuse, and attempts to run away from home.

Although there is no one single cause of depression, there are several factors that can increase the chance of depression in adolescents. Biochemical studies have shown that one contributor is brain structure development. Rushton says that during adolescence, the brain continues to and be fine-tuned, resulting in different processing of moods and emotions. Even social stressors, like school, a family death and problems at home or with a relationship can trigger a depressed state in vulnerable teens.

Young women are two times more likely than males to not only experience depression, but also to have other difficulties manifest from this condition that can put their health at risk, says Ruston.

Many depressed teens become involved with narcotics, alcohol and cigarette abuse. Also, serious anxiety disorders, social and relationship phobias can be associated with depression.

Since depression may have a genetic component and family mental illness can alter social dynamics and parenting, Rushton recommends that parents consider their family’s medical history to be aware of any possible problems associated with mental health that may affect their child.

However, the factors contributing to it can vary with each person and treatment must be individualized. Certain individual treatment plans may involve medication, such as antidepressants, counseling or a combination of the two.

Teens can receive treatment from a variety of mental health specialists – pediatricians, adolescent medical specialists, school counselors, or psychologists or psychotherapists in some cases.

“It’s a good start for a teen to talk about their problems in a school or community setting where they feel comfortable and have a good rapport with the people there,” says Rushton.
It’s also important for a teen to have open lines of communication with parents and other family members to help them deal with serious depression as soon as possible.

“Parents need to stay involved with their teen’s school, have frequent teacher conferences and discuss any school issues with their teenager to be aware of any potential problems,” says Ruston. “It’s also important to have shared activities to foster communication with their teens and also help them through the depressed moods they may experience.”

If a parent is concerned about their teen’s mental health or are having difficulty talking with their teen about certain problems they are having, Rushton suggests the family contact a mental health care provider or the teen’s pediatrician to discuss possible solutions or to receive treatment for the condition if it’s necessary.

Facts about teens and depression:

• Depression is a persistent, recurring condition rooted in the brain’s chemistry that can last for weeks or months
• Depression will interfere with a person’s ability to sleep, eat, concentrate or feel any pleasure in life.
• One in 12 American teenagers experience serious depression, which is often mistaken as a normal stage of adolescence.
• Depression can have a negative effect on a teen’s school performance and social activities, and some may get involved with substance or alcohol abuse, or even become suicidal.
• Some of the most common signs of depression to look for in teens are ongoing sadness, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, outbursts, irritability, loss of interest in everyday activities, reckless behavior, social isolation, alcohol or substance abuse and attempts to run away from home.
• Teens need to have open lines of communication with family members so parents can spot the signs of depression and help their teen receive the treatment he or she needs.

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