TEENAGE DEPRESSION

Presentation made by: Meera Soni

What is it?

For a teenager, it is natural to feel sad and irritable every now and then. But if these feelings don’t go away or become so intense that you can’t handle them, you may be suffering from teenage depression. It is a disorder that occurs during the teenage years marked by persistent sadness, discouragement, loss of self-worth, and loss of interest in usual activities.Depression is not a sign of weakness or a negative personality. It is a major public health problem and a treatable medical condition.

Causes of Teen Depression:

It is not known exactly what causes depression. A variety of factors may be involved. These include:

Biological chemistryNeurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. When these chemicals are out of balance, it may lead to depression symptoms.

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 biological (blood) relatives also have the condition. In fact, children and adolescents with a depressed parent are up to four times more likely to develop the illness themselves.

Early childhood trauma

Traumatic events during childhood, such as physical or emotional abuse, or loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that make a person more susceptible to depression

Psychological factors

These include low self-esteem, poor body image, a tendency to be highly self-critical, and feeling helpless when dealing with negative events.

Learned patterns of negative thinking

Teen depression may be linked to learning to feel helpless — rather than learning to feel capable of finding solutions for life's challenges

Symptoms and Signs of Teenage Depression:

It usually becomes difficult to spot whether a teenager is in depression.It’s difficult to describe how depression exactly feels and people experience it differently. However, some common problems and symptoms exist for teenagers with depression.

Emotional Changes:

Persistent unhappiness, crying spellsIrritability and frustration, even over small mattersLoss of interest or pleasure in usual activitiesConflict with family and friends, leading in isolationSense of guilt or worthlessness; low self-esteemYou just can’t concentrate – this could result in poor school performanceLoss of interest in life that brings thoughts of death and suicide – this should always be taken seriously.

Physical Changes:

Change in sleeping pattern – you tend to sleep too much or too less

Fatigue

Increased or decreased eating resulting in weight change

Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse

Behaviour changes:

Agitation or restlessness

Self-harm – such as cutting or burning oneself

Aggressive behavior

Crying more often

Starts using drugs or alcohol

Is your friend depressed?

-Your friend does not want to do the things you guys loved to do

-Your friend talks about how bad, ugly, worthless or stupid they are

-Your friend talks about suicide and death

-Your friend starts consuming alcohol and drugs

- Your friend starts performing very badly in school and stops attending some of the classes.

Deadly Depression:•Depression can lead to suicide. •In fact, in teenagers, depression is one of the leading causes of suicide. •Depression causes a person to see everything in a negative light. Suicidal thinking in depressed people is of great concern and should be taken very seriously.

•Warning signs include talking about suicide and death, engaging in aggressive or risky behavior, threatening to hurt people or self-harming. •Immediate help should be sought for. Teenagers should talk to a health care professional such as a doctor or a school nurse. They should share their concerns with people whom they trust – parent, close friend, teacher, etc.

Diagnosis

There is no blood test as of yet for teenage depression. Your psychiatrists, psychologists or psychiatric nurses will carry out an extensive medical interview where you will be asked about your medical history and medications. Doctors largely depend on a patient’s description of symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis. Your moods, behavior and daily activities are likely to be discussed.

Share your feelings:

If you are in depression or feel depressed, it is best to talk to an adult you trust, such as your parent. Letting your parents know that you are feeling depressed will encourage them to get you the help you need. If your parents are abusive in any way, or if they already have many problems of their own, it might be best to speak to another adult like your school counselor, your relative, or your teacher. The person could direct you to the help you need.

What you can do to feel better:

Keep your body Healthy: Eat a nutritious diet and get involved in physical activities like cycling or swimming. Even a short walk can help.Do not isolate yourself: Do not spend the whole day in front of your computer. Instead, spend time with lively friends who make you feel good about yourself.Avoid alcohol and drugs: This could make your depression worse and also increase suicidal feelings, even if it feels relieving.

Treating Depression:

Talk Therapy for Depression

Studies suggest different types of talk therapy can fight mild to moderate depression.Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy identifies how your relationships impact your mood.Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps help people understand how their behavior and mood are affected by unresolved issues and unconscious feelings.

Some patients find a few months of therapy are all they need, while others continue long term.

Medications for Depression

Antidepressants affect the levels of brain chemicals, such as serotonin and nor epinephrine. There are dozens of options. Give antidepressants a few weeks of use to take effect. Good follow-up with your doctor is important to evaluate their effectiveness and make dosage adjustments. If the first medication tried doesn't help, there's a good chance another will. The combination of talk therapy and medication appears particularly effective.

Exercise for Depression

Research suggests exercise is a potent weapon against mild to moderate depression. Physical activity releases endorphins that can help boost mood. Regular exercise is also linked to higher self-esteem, better sleep, less stress, and more energy. Any type of moderate activity, from swimming to housework, can help. Choose something you enjoy and aim for 20 to 30 minutes four or five times a week.

Pets for Depression

A playful puppy or wise-mouthed parrot is no substitute for medication or talk therapy. But researchers say pets can ease the symptoms of mild to moderate depression in many people. Pets provide unconditional love, relieve loneliness, and give patients a sense of purpose. Studies have found pet owners to have less trouble sleeping and better overall health.

The Role of Social Support

Because loneliness goes hand-in-hand with depression, developing a social support network can be an important part of treatment. This may include joining a support group, finding an online support community, or making a genuine effort to see friends and family more often. Even joining a book club or taking classes at your gym can help you connect with people on a regular basis.

Thank you!