Depression is especially critical because by the time family and other people around a teenager notice their disinterest in most activities–known as anhedonia–they have often already been depressed for an extended period. Depression is an internalizing disorder; thus requiring time not only for others to recognize its presence but for them themselves as well. When in denial themselves it takes even longer for others and themselves alike to understand that thinking processes or emotional responses have changed, and depression needs time for awareness to emerge within.
Major depressive disorder–the more commonly experienced form–occurs as episodes lasting seven to nine months and typically presents as severe symptoms that interfere with daily life. Dysthymia symptoms tend to be milder but more persistent; lasting for years. While dysthymia may seem less debilitating at any given moment for the child involved, its cumulative damage and delay of healthy development increases over time.
Early intervention is essential When it comes to teenage depression, its effects extend far beyond suffering alone. Depression symptoms typically manifest themselves through low energy and concentration issues that are likely to have lasting repercussions in terms of social and academic functioning. Without timely help for a teenager who’s depressed, long-term problems could occur that require ongoing assistance – effects which could negatively impact lifelong success for years.
Poor academic functioning is obvious: falling behind in school undermines confidence and self-image while impacting future prospects if left unaddressed. Social learning, however, is just as critical in adolescents – deficits in social skills not only put depressed teens behind their peers but can exacerbate depression itself.
Depression plus Anxiety
It’s essential to realize that teens experiencing depression may also develop anxiety and require treatment for both disorders separately. Depression may contribute to anxiety: its negative state can leave an individual vulnerable and uncertain; thus providing fertile ground for anxiety to flourish. Furthermore, both conditions affect areas of the brain close together which increases risk.
Two serious consequences associated with teenage depression and anxiety are suicidal thinking (or behavior) and substance abuse. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults aged 15-24; we know most victims were suffering from some kind of psychiatric illness before their suicide attempt. Teenagers who conceal their depression or anxiety from family and friends are particularly at risk, which makes it important for all of us to watch out for warning signs such as withdrawal, changes in school performance, eating patterns, sleeping patterns and activities they enjoy doing; even when teenagers don’t open up about how they’re feeling.
Substance abuse issues among adolescents often co-occur with mental illness, typically anxiety and depression; thus making treatment of substance use problems essential.
Treatments for Depression
Early involvement by health care professionals can significantly shorten the period of illness and decrease the chances of missing important life lessons.
Mental health professionals frequently recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, and depending on how old a child is, this may include teaching their parents as well. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works on the theory that those suffering from mood disorders are trapped in negative patterns of thought – for instance, depressed kids often assess themselves negatively and interpret others’ actions negatively; anticipating bad outcomes from events. We teach patients with CBT how to challenge negative thoughts by recognising and challenging those patterns of thinking themselves, training themselves out of them – often leading to real improvement being realized over time.
Depending on the severity of depression, treatment options include antidepressants or psychotherapy combined with medication. Together they usually work better than either alone.
Depression can be especially significant because by the time family and other people around a teenager notice their disinterest in most activities–known as anhedonia–they have often already been depressed for an extended period. Depression is an internalizing disorder; therefore it takes both others and them themselves time to recognize its presence; when denial occurs internally this process can take even longer as awareness emerges gradually within.
Major Depressive Disorder–the more frequently experienced form–occurs in episodes lasting seven to nine months and typically presents with severe symptoms that interfere with daily life. Dysthymia symptoms tend to be milder but more persistent; lasting for years. Dysthymia may seem less debilitating at any one point for a child involved, yet over time its cumulative damage and delays of healthy development increase significantly.
Method
Early Intervention Is Essential When it comes to teenage depression, its consequences go well beyond mere suffering. Depression symptoms usually manifest themselves through low energy and concentration issues that have lasting repercussions in terms of social and academic functioning. Without timely help for a teenager who’s depressed, long-term problems could arise that require ongoing assistance – something which could negatively impact lifelong success for years.
Poor academic functioning is readily evident: falling behind in school compromises confidence and self-image while having long-term effects on future prospects if left unaddressed. Social learning, however, is just as essential – deficits in social skills put depressed teens behind their peers while amplifying depression itself.
Depression plus Anxiety
It is crucial that teens experiencing depression also receive treatment for anxiety separately, as both conditions affect nearby areas of the brain, increasing risk. Depression may contribute to anxiety; its negative state can leave an individual vulnerable and uncertain – providing fertile ground for anxiety to thrive. Furthermore, both conditions affect brain regions at once which increases risks even further.
Two major risks associated with teenage depression and anxiety are suicidal thoughts (or actions), and substance abuse. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15-24; most suicide attempts come after suffering some kind of psychiatric illness first. Teenagers who keep their depression or anxiety hidden from family and friends are especially at risk; we should all remain alert for warning signs like withdrawal, changes in school performance, eating and sleeping patterns or activities they enjoy even if teens refuse to communicate their emotions directly.
Substance abuse issues among adolescents often co-occur with mental illnesses like anxiety and depression; thus making treatment of substance use disorders essential.
Early engagement by health care professionals can greatly shorten the length and severity of depression symptoms, as well as decrease chances for missing key life lessons.
Mental health professionals frequently recommend cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and depending on the age of a child this may involve teaching their parents as well. CBT works on the principle that those experiencing mood disorders become trapped in negative patterns of thought – for instance depressed kids frequently assess themselves negatively and interpret other people’s actions negatively – often anticipating bad outcomes from events that happen around them. We teach our patients with CBT how to challenge negative thoughts by recognising and challenging negative patterns themselves – eventually training themselves out of them over time for real improvement to come into fruitiiii!
Dependent upon the severity of depression, treatment options include antidepressants or psychotherapy combined with medication; both together often work better than either individually.
This post is published by Chemist Dad