Why do most teens who suffer from depression go unidentified and untreated?
It is not always easy to tell the difference between “normal” depression or sadness and the kind of depression that needs treatment (clinical depression). Clinical depression is a serious medical illness. Over one million U.S. teenagers suffer from clinical depression and most of the time, their parents and other adults don’t know they are depressed. Depression does not appear visibly through behavior problems, and teenagers are not likely to disclose feelings on inner distress to their parents.
Aren’t all teens depressed or moody sometimes? Isn’t depression just a normal phase of development?
It is true that teens are often moody. Everyone has days when they feel down or blue. For some people, these feelings are much more extreme and even dangerous. Teens frequently feel sad or blue after a relationship break-up, a disappointment, or a family crisis. In most cases, these periods of low mood are brief and get better on their own. Clinical depression may also be triggered by these events, but it is very different. For one thing, it lasts longer- from many weeks to over a year. For another, sympathetic friends and family can’t make it go away.
What are the signs of clinical depression?
The symptoms of clinical depression do not just come and go – they last throughout the day for at least several weeks. There are three primary signs of clinical depression:
- not being interested in things or not enjoying activities as much as usual
- being more grouchy or cranky than usual
Other experiences that depressed teens often have are:
- feeling hopeless, guilty or bad about themselves
- sleeping too much or not being able to sleep
- being a lot less hungry or eating more than usual
- having trouble concentrating even when they try
- thinking about death and dying
Frequently, these symptoms cause problems at school or problems getting along with family or friends. It is important to remember that not everyone’s depression looks the same.
Why is it important to treat teen depression?
Untreated clinical depression can lead to school failure, loss of friendships, and serious family problems. For some teens, it can lead to thoughts of killing themselves. Research shows that teens who are depressed are twice as likely to die by suicide as those who are not depressed. In 2003, approximately 1,500 youth aged 15–19 died by suicide in the U.S. Almost three million teens thought seriously about suicide, and almost one and one-half million tried to kill themselves.
Isn’t teen depression and youth suicide very rare?
Over one million teens experienced at least one major depressive episode during the past year. The majority of those who are suffering from depression will go unidentified.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15- to 19-year-olds and 90% of teens who die by suicide have a treatable mental illness at the time of their death, most often depression.
In addition, 17% of high school students have seriously thought about attempting suicide. For every completed suicide, an estimated eight to 25 attempts occur.
What should I do if I think my child is depressed?
If you think your child may be suffering from depression, you should contact a mental health professional or your family physician. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) runs an online Mental Health Services Locator which provides comprehensive information about mental health services and resources around the country. Your local Mental Health America affiliate can also provide assistance in obtaining services.
|
