Understanding Teen Depression

Depression is a common but serious mental health disorder that can cause a child or adolescent to experience persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. This disorder will not only impact how your child feels, thinks, and behaves, but can also lead to the development of a number of functional, emotional, as well as physical problems. Depression in a young person is much more than the occasional bad mood. Depression can have a debilitating impact on virtually all areas of a young person’s life.

Fortunately, depression responds well to treatment, and with therapy and medication a young person can overcome the symptoms of this disorder and begin to lead a happier life.

Statistics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability among U.S. citizens between the ages of 15 and 44. Furthermore, in the United States, it is estimated that approximately 10% to 11% of children and adolescents are depressed at any given time.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

Research has indicated that multiple factors can lead to the development of this mental health disorder. More specifically, researchers have identified genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors that place a young person at an increased risk for the development of depression. These factors are described briefly below:

Genetic: Years of research have determined that children and adolescents who have a family history of depression are at increased risk for developing the disorder themselves. In fact young people who have close relatives with depression are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop depression than are members of the general population.

Environmental: Many environmental factors can contribute to the development of depression in a child or adolescent. For example, being the victim of physical or emotional abuse, losing a parent, or experiencing a traumatic event can cause changes in the brain that will make a young person more susceptible to the development of depression. Furthermore, having a chronic medical illness, such as cancer, has also been associated with depression.

Risk Factors:

Pre-existing mental health condition
Being a female
Hormonal imbalances in the brain
Low self-esteem
Having a chronic medical illness
Substance abuse
Trauma or grief
Experiencing a painful major life experience
Social isolation
Low socioeconomic status
Certain types of medications
Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered

Signs of Depression

The symptoms associated with depressed children or adolescents tend to differ from the symptoms that are present in a depressed adult. If you notice one or more of the following signs or symptoms in your child, you should seek help from a mental health professional. Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Tiredness or lack of energy
Use of drugs and/or alcohol
Disruptive or risky behavior
Self-harming behaviors
Agitation or restlessness
Frequent absences from school
Poor school performance
Neglected appearance

Physical symptoms:

Fatigue or lethargy
Sleeping too much or not enough
Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches or headaches
Changes in appetite
Significant weight gain or weight loss (associated with changes in appetite)

Cognitive symptoms:

Slowed thinking
Unable to concentrate
Memory problems
Trouble staying focused on tasks at hand
Difficulty making decisions
Changes in temperament
Frequent thoughts of death or dying
Fixation on past failures

Psychosocial symptoms:

Feelings of sadness
Irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
Feelings of worthlessness
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim
Exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism

Effects of Depression

If left untreated, the presence of depression can cause emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems that can affects all areas of a young person’s life. The following are some possible negative consequence that could develop as the result of untreated depression:

Academic problems
Low self-esteem
Family conflicts
Relationship difficulties
Running away from home
Alcohol and/or drug abuse
Involvement with juvenile justice system
Suicide

Co-Occurring Disorders

Children and adolescents with depression are often struggling with the presence of an additional mental health disorder. The following are disorders that are commonly experienced by young people who are also dealing with depression: