Page Topic: Adolescent Depression

Troubled Teens Help - Adolescent Depression.

Across the nation more troubled teens are being diagnosd with adolescent depression. What is adolescent depression? Here are a few definitions along with key information about adolescent depression.

Depression has been considered to be the major psychiatric disease of the 20th century, affecting approximately eight million people in North America. Adults with psychiatric illness are 20 times more likely to die from accidents or suicide than adults without psychiatric disorder. Major depression, including bipolar affective disorder, often appears for the first time during the teenage years, and early recognition of these conditions will have profound effects on later morbidity and mortality. The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression. The majority of teenage depressions can be managed successfully by the primary care physician with the support of the family, says known DR.

Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, mood lability, gloomy introspection, great drama and heightened sensitivity. It is a time of rebellion and behavioral experimentation. The physician's challenge is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimposed on the backdrop of a more transient, but expected, developmental storm. Diagnosis, therefore, must rely not only on a formal clinical interview but on information provided by collaterals, including parents, teachers and community advisors. The patient's premorbid personality must be taken into account, as well as any obvious or subtle stress or trauma that may have preceded the clinical state. The therapeutic alliance is very important since the adolescent will not usually readily share his/her feelings with an adult stranger unless trust and rapport are established. Confidentiality must be assured, but not to the point that the parents - who are often essential allies in treatment - are wholly excluded. Diagnosis may require more than one interview and is not a process that can be rushed. Inquire directly about possible suicidal ideation. What are the common symptoms of adolescent depression? Depression presents in adolescents with essentially the same symptoms as in adults; however, some clinical shrewdness may be required to translate the teenagers' symptoms into adult terms. Pervasive sadness may be exemplified by wearing black clothes, writing poetry with morbid themes or a preoccupation with music that has nihilistic themes. Sleep disturbance may manifest as all-night television watching, difficulty in getting up for school, or sleeping during the day. Lack of motivation and lowered energy level is reflected by missed classes. A drop in grade averages can be equated with loss of concentration and slowed thinking. Boredom may be a synonym for feeling depressed. Loss of appetite may become anorexia or bulimia. Adolescent depression may also present primarily as a behavior or conduct disorder, substance or alcohol abuse or as family turmoil and rebellion with no obvious symptoms reminiscent of depression. Formal psychologic testing may be helpful in complicated presentations that do not lend themselves easily to diagnosis. In the most difficult cases, a trial of treatment may be required to differentiate clinical depression from extreme developmental turmoil or conduct disorders.

If your teen is showing signs of depression now is the time to seek further assistance and help. We are here to point you in the right direction and get you the proper help you need and deserve. Adolescent Depression is a serious diagnosis among young troubled teens and if not taken care of, it may lead to more serious measures. We are here 24 hrs a day so please call (866) MY-TEEN2 or (866) 698-3362 for immediate help.