Depression in Teenagers

Teen depression is a very serious issue within oursociety, but has only received serious attentionwithin the last twenty years. Researchers havefound that many teens who suffer from depressionalso suffer from other mental disorders includingsocial phobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),panic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD),conduct disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substanceuse disorders.

With teens who experienced trauma, over fortypercent develop depressive disorders within fourmonths following the trauma and studies foundthat teens with depression also demonstratedanxiety disorders twenty five to seventy fivepercent of the time. ADHD was present withdepression in teens thirty to forty percent of thetime.

These illness which co-occur must be diagnosed and treated properly often requiring a combinationof several treatments and medications including psychosocial interventions, family education andinterventions, and psychotherapy as well as medication therapy. They may also require a plan forlong-term follow up and treatment.

Teens will experience normal mood swingsand ups and downs which makes it difficultto tell if they are experiencing depression orjust typical teenage angst. When thesefeelings begin to interfere with family,social functioning, school, appetite or sleep,then they may be a problem.

Common symptoms of depression include:

� Pains or aches, cramps or headaches, orproblems with digestion that do not easewith treatment

� Suicide thoughts or even attempts at suicide

� Loss of appetite or overeating

� Sleeping too much, insomnia, or waking very early in the morning

� Having difficulty making decisions or concentrating or remembering details

� Decreased energy or fatigue

� No interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed, including sex

� Restlessness and irritability

� Guilt feelings, worthlessness or helplessness

� Anxious, depressed, feeling empty

If a teen is expressing any of these feelings or exhibiting these symptoms, they should see a doctorright away. There is nothing to be embarrassed by or ashamed of, this is no one�s fault. The doctorwill talk with both the teen and the parents to try and determine the cause(s) of the symptoms.There may be several reasons. The doctor may ask about family history, about unusual reactions tomedications, about any previous therapies and how those were received. What is important is a verycareful and skilled diagnosis and understanding that there may be more than one cause for what ishappening.

Thirty five percent of teens who suffer from another chronic illness may develop depression.Depression can impact teens who suffer from brain injuries, anemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism,epilepsy, kidney disease, HIV and AIDs, and chronic head ache and pain. Teens who are severelyobese can also develop depression.

Depression in teens can create severe consequences, especially if it is co-occurring with anothermental disorder. Teens suffering from depression and anxiety are at a higher risk to developsuicidality and substance abuse and to not respond or to poorly respond to treatment. A teen withchronic medical conditions who also is suffering from depression is likely to develop a more severeform of depression and not be able to adapt to changes in the medical condition.

Treating teens suffering from co-occurrences of depression and other mental disorders can betreated, but must be carefully diagnosed and typically requires multiple treatment techniques.