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What is Adolescent Depression?

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What causes Adolescent Depression?

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How to spot Adolescent Depression in children?

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How is Adolescent Depression Diagnosed?

Living with Adolescent Depression

A Tower of Stones

Adolescent depression, or more commonly known as teen depression, is a serious mental health problem. This could be a physical or emotional disorder caused by symptoms that manifest themselves in many different ways. Medically speaking, this disorder is not different from adult depression, however teenage depression symptoms differ due to social and developmental challenges that teens face. These challenges can include sports, peer pressure, changing hormone levels, and developing bodies. Issues such as peer pressure and academic exceptions can bring lots of emotional stress for teens. While the highs and lows of these emotions could be temporary, they can all in fact be symptoms of depression.   

 

The exact causes of depression are not known, but a variety of issues may be involved. These include the following:

  • Brain Chemistry - Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When these chemicals are abnormal or impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems changes, leading to depression.

  • Hormones - Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. 

  • Inherited Traits - Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives, such as parents or grandparents, also have the condition. 

  • Early Childhood Trauma - Traumatic events during someone's childhood, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, or loss of a loved one, may cause changes in the brain that make a person more susceptible to depression.

  • Learned Patterns of Negative Thinking - Teen depression may be linked to learning to feel helplessness; rather then learning to feel capable of finding solutions for life's challenges.   

The data presented from a study published by the American Family Physician State, show that up to 15% of children and adolescents have some symptoms of depression. The symptoms of depression can often be difficult for parents to spot. Sometimes depression gets confused with feelings of moodiness associated with puberty and teenage adjustment. Some of the most common symptoms pf Adolescent Depression include: 

  • Appearing sad, irritable, or tearful

  • Changes in appetite or weight

  • A decreased interest in activities your child used to be interested in

  • A decreased in energy

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Feeling guilty, worthlessness, or helplessness 

  • Major change in sleep habits

  • Regular complaints of boredom

  • Talk of suicide

  • Withdraw from friends or school activities

  • Worsening school performance 

Just as depression has no single cause, there is no single treatment to help the people with depression. Often finding the right treatment is a trail and error process. It can take time to determine which treatment works best. Treatment options are as follows:

  • Medication - Numerous classes of medication are prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Some of the most common types of depression medication include:

    • Selective Serotonin Reuptake (SSRIs)​

    • Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs) 

    • Tricyclic Antidepressants' (TCAs)

    • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

  • Psychotherapy - Its recommended that a child sees a qualified mental health professional before or at the same time as starting the medication therapy. Many different types of therapy include:

    • Talk Therapy - The most common type of therapy and includes regular sessions with a psychologist

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Is guided to replace negative thoughts and emotions with good ones

    • Psychodynamic Therapy - Focuses on delving into a person's psyche to alleviate internal struggles, such as stress or conflict

    • Problem-Solving Therapy - Helps a person find an optimistic route through specific life experiences, such as the loss of a loved one or another transitional period

  • Body Health - It is important to take care of one's body to have a sufficient growth and mindset.  

    • Exercise - Research shows that regular exercise stimulates the production of "feel good"(Dopamine) chemicals in the brain that elevate mood.

    • Sleep - Sleep is important to your teens mood. Make sure they get enough sleep each night and follow a regular bedtime routine.   

    • Balanced Diet - It takes extra energy to process food high in fat and sugar. These foods can make you feel sluggish.

    • Avoid Excessive Caffeine - Caffeine can can momentarily boost mood. However, regular use can your teen to "crash," feeling tired or down.

    • Abstain From Alcohol - Drinking especially for teens, can create more problems with there metal stability and physical wellbeing. People with depression should avoid drinking alcohol; even if you don't struggle with depression it is not okay to drink due to the major health risk you put on your body.   

Living with Adolescent depression can have a profound impact on an adolescence life and can only heighten the difficulty associated with younger teenage years. Adolescent depression isn't always the easiest condition to spot. However, with proper treatment, help is just a couple life changes away.

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Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, make sure you give them the help they need. Make sure you are there for them and make sure you know that, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. 

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If you know someone is struggling with a mental illness or disorder and is contemplating suicide, PLEASE notify: 

 

Source Credits

 - What Is Adolescent Depression + What Causes Adolescent Depression 

  1. "13 suicide and crisis intervention hotlines to call or text when you need help" clnet, Accessed 9 August 2020.

  2. Tharu, Dr. Reeja., Phil, M., D, Ph. "Adolescence Depression Causes" MD India, 4 November 2016, Accessed 9 August 2020.​​​

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 - How to spot depression in children + How is Adolescent Depression Diagnosed

  1. ​"Learn about Mental Health" CDC, 26 January 2018, Accessed 9 August 2020.

  2. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards., William Shei JR., "Depression In Children" MedicineNet, Accessed 9 August 2020.

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 - How to live with Depression

  1. "National Alliance of Mental Illness" Nami, Accessed 9 August 2020.

  2. Schimelpfening Nancy, "8 tips to live with Adolescent Depression" verywellmind, 20 March 2020, Accessed 9 August 2020. 

Conclusion for my Project

Why is this project important to you - I believe this information is important  because depression is the most common mental illnesses and yet many people don't understand the all the attributes that contribute to it.

 

What I would like my audience to learn - I want people to learn that adolescents may be undergoing serious mental health issues during their developing years, and there is help for those believing they are suffering with depression. 

 

What I am most exited for my project - I am excited to give people a page to know that they are not alone in there feelings, and that there is help around the corner for them .Depression can cause one to feel like they are the only ones feeling this way, and having an internet platform will ensure that they are only a couple clicks away from getting the information the need.    

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Thank you for reading my informational Article. I would love to hear you feed back on it. Please fill out this anonymous survey. Have a Great rest of your day!

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