Teen Depression
There are many books that have been
written on depression, but we are now just learning how to identify and
treat this illness in teenagers. Misinformation often causes parents to
think that their child is depressed when many symptoms of depression
masquerade as typical teenage surliness or drug use. This can be a
scary reality for parents as boredom and depression often have similar
symptoms.
Teenage
depression doesn’t manifest itself as clearly as adult depression.
Adults exhibit symptoms such as sadness, lack of energy, and isolation.
Teen depression exhibits itself in other ways so parents can miss the
signs in their child. Finally, adults who are severely depressed
usually stay continuously depressed. Teenagers react more to their
external environment and periodically seem to pull out of their
depression. If a depressed teen is successful in getting tickets to see
their favorite rock band, they may enjoy a spurt of
excitement/happiness before and during the concert before reverting
back to emotional darkness.
What is depression? Depression is a medical
condition that can cause dysfunction in every aspect of one’s life.
Some of the various types of depression include:
• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar Disorder
There are many factors that can cause depression in
teenagers. These include biochemistry (a chemical imbalance of mood
regulation in the brain), genetics, family history, substance abuse,
and an illness or difficult life changing situation. Some people have
mild depression, while others suffer much more severely.
Childhood depression is a serious impairment, which
is often missed because adolescents suffering from it do not verbalize
their feelings. Often the depression gradually becomes more severe and
the teenager can no longer cope with life. Today, we realize that
depression sometimes begins in early childhood, and that approximately
two percent of pre-teens and five percent of adolescents suffer from
this disorder. We are also learning that depression in teenagers
presents itself differently than in adults and that treatment modes
also differ for teens.
Depression in children does not always manifest
itself as it does in adults, which is characterized by a loss of
interest in life. Instead of being sad and debilitated, the teenager
may exhibit agitation and irritable behaviors. They may also have
physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches. Teenagers often
express their emotions through their body, and unfortunately these
complaints are usually treated with medicine rather than therapy (Group
Therapy).
Parents should
not try to diagnose their child. They should communicate their concerns
to a professional and then make the decision as to whether the teenager
needs help.
The first step for the parents of a depressed
teenager is to acknowledge that their child might have a problem.
Denial and guilt are common problems when it comes to teenagers with
mental health issues. Some parents feel guilty or blame outside forces
for the problem, or just think that the teen needs a swift kick in the
pants to pull them out of their funk.
Depression is a serious, legitimate illness.
If left untreated, depression has serious long-term implications (even
the risk of suicide), and deserves the same compassion and attention as
any other illness. A depressed teenager is not lazy, willful, or just
trying to get out of work; they are ill and need treatment.
Start by researching treatment the same way as when
looking for a reputable medical doctor. Find out if they are members of
the A.P.A. and if they graduated from an accredited university.
Sometimes the most effective treatment is one that takes place outside
the home. By placing the adolescent in a nurturing environment, they
are given the opportunity to focus on their illness and rediscover
themselves. Teens placed in therapeutic boarding schools continue their
education while learning life skills, under the supervision of
qualified therapists.
Psychotherapy may utilize a cognitive or
interpersonal approach to exploring events and feelings that the
teenager is unable to cope with and help develop new coping skills.
Cognitive therapy recognizes that emotional health is related to
thought patterns and beliefs about the world and the way the teenager
relates to their environment. The depressed teen is often pessimistic
and dominated by negativity and anticipation of harmful outcomes.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on the practicalities
of developing healthy relationships at home and at school. It measures
mechanisms for loss and rejection, two major adolescent social issues,
how to get along with parents and siblings, and how to reduce and cope
with stress. Unfortunately, most teens, however depressed, do not come
to therapy voluntarily. Unlike their adult counterparts, they have not
identified an area in which their depression is compromising their
quality of life. This is why group sessions are often less threatening
and can teach social skills in a more relaxed atmosphere (Statistics on
Adolescent Depression).
Treating adolescents for depression has come a long
way in the past decade. As we learn more about the physical and
emotional causes of this disorder, the future looks brighter for
teenagers that suffer from depression (Group Therapy).
“Your Child is Depressed or Has Difficulties with Anger
Management” EBSCOhost. 2005. 12 Apr.
2005
http://web1.epnet.com.proxy.li.suu.edu
“Group Therapy” Current Trends in Treating Adolescent Depression. 2002.
13 Apr. 2005
http://www.about-teen-depression.com/trends-treatment.html
“Statistics on Adolescent Depression” Depression in Teenagers. 2004. 13 Apr. 2005
http://www.about-teen-depression.com/treatment-depression.html
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By: Posted: Oct 17 2006 09:53:02 AM