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Effects of depression on adolescents
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Depression is a medical problem that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities. This affects how teens think, feel, and behave. Depression can also cause physical and emotional problems. Common things that occur in adolescence, such as peer pressure and academic expectations, can have a much stronger effect on some teens when compared to others. The lows that they experience are not something normal. Dramatic changes in behavior and mood throughout the years of adolescence can be accepted as something normal; however, more often than not, those young adults may be suffering from depression.
Although the cause of depression is unknown, there are many factors that contribute to the development of depression in adolescents. Studies have shown that about 40% of the risk for depression is genetic. This makes depression as heritable as many common complex medical conditions such as type II diabetes, asthma, and certain cancers. However, in the case of depression, there is not one specific gene that is involved; therefore making it difficult to discover the exact genetic cause. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that naturally occur and play a role in depression. Depression is more likely to occur in people whose blood relatives also have, or had, depression. Psychosocial variables involved in causing depression in adolescents include self-consciousness, self-esteem, and reduction in activities because of physical illness or injury. Changes in the body's balance of hormones are involved in triggering or causing depression. Traumatic events such as physical or emotional abuse, or a loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that makes a person more likely to develop depression. Teen depression can also be linke...
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...medications for teen depression: Prozac and Lexapro. Some antidepressants may cause suicidal thoughts or behavior. In most cases, the benefits of antidepressants outweigh the possible risks. Overall, antidepressants generally reduce suicidal thinking or behavior. “Psychotherapy, also called psychological counseling or talk therapy, is a general term for treating depression by talking about depression and related issues with a mental health provider. Psychotherapy may be done one-on-one, with family members or in a group” (mayoclinic.com). Through regular sessions of psychotherapy, teens can learn about the causes of depression, how to make changes in their behavior or thoughts, find better ways to cope and solve problems, and learn to set realistic goals. This type of treatment often helps teens regain happiness and learn to control and ease symptoms of depression.
There is an escalating problem that is becoming more prominent among adolescent society involving the use of anti-depressant medication and its increased risk of suicidal tendencies. Studies show that more Americans are turning to antidepressants and are not informed of the irreversible dangers that are associated with taking them. Antidepressants possess a variety of different side effects just like other medications, however, there is a growing concern regarding the increasing rate of suicides among adolescent teens. Especially in today’s society, there is an alarming increase in influences that the media places upon the younger generations living in America. Antidepressant use in this age group should include high monitoring of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and should include an increased effort to raising awareness of this issue.
Approximately 24% of 12-17 year olds have considered suicide and up to 10% have attempted suicide.” (Suicide Intervention Training PG 3). Teens today are very likely to commit suicide for various reasons. In today’s society there are a lot of judging and bullying cases around the world. No matter how much we promote a bully free zone there will always be a couple of cliques, or individuals, who want to bring others down and who do not know the seriousness of bullying. Although bullying is a big cause of suicide, the leading cause is a mental illness that many people are familiar with called depression. “Psychiatric disorders can affect diverse aspects of an individual’s life.”( Dispelling Myth Surrounding Teen Suicide, PG 1). If you or someone you know seems down most of the time, the best thing to do is to go see someone about your despair. If you are diagnosed with depression, prescribed depression medicine can help and can be one way to prevent suicidal thoughts or actions. “There is a lot of evidence that suicide is preventable.”(Cont. Principles of Suicide Prevention, PG
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), depression occurs in over 26% of adolescents and can lead to morbidity, mortality, and social problems that can last into adulthood (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Signs of adolescent depression can sometimes be different than adults, and possibly harder to identify. It is most often identified as an increase in negative behaviors or somatic complaints such as an upset stomach (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Behavioral changes that are associated with adolescent depression include an increase in irritability, tantrums, anger outbursts, decrease in school performance, and social isolation (SCREENING
“Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds. In any given year, about 20% of all high school students think of committing suicide; almost 10% try” (Cropper 112). This shocking statistic shows the high risk of suicide among teens, but what some might not know is that the most common form of treatment used to help teens suffering with depression is one that might also increase the risk of suicide and/or harmful actions to oneself. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro are commonly prescribed to adolescents and young adults to relieve symptoms of depression, and they work by either releasing more of the brain’s “happy chemical,” serotonin, in those with clinical depression, or by stopping the release of the brain’s emotional chemicals in those with manic depression (or other diseases such as bipolar disorder) (Silverstein 61). Although antidepressants can have a positive effect on the symptoms of depression, the risk of suicide among those who take it is too high to use as a first option. Suicidal behavior is a serious side effect in teens that are prescribed tricyclic antidepressants; depression should be treated with safer alternatives, such as behavioral treatment or other forms of therapy as opposed to such a “trial and error” approach.
According to the FDA, about 2.5% of children and around 8% of adolescents are affected by depression (Temple). A common way to treat depression is by taking antidepressants. Children and teens have also been prescribed antidepressants for various reasons other than depression such as OCD and anxiety disorders. While it is legal for teenagers and children to take antidepressants, many people are concerned with the issues that taking antidepressants have. Children and teens should be allowed to take antidepressants only when other forms of therapy don’t work. Antidepressants are serious drugs that have severe warnings when children and teens use them. There is also an increased risk of worsening depression and suicide in children and teens, especially in the when they begin to take it. Even the less severe side effects can make quite a negative impact on life.
Depression is a serious issue that has no single cause. Depression is likely a combination of many factors such as genetic, biochemical, psychological and environmental. According to research, depressive illnesses are indications of disorders of the brain. Depression can affect all ages and all parts of society. Periods of sadness, irritability, fatigue, and loss of interest are some symptoms of depression.
People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California (Aguilar 1 par. 8). The warning signs and risk factors of teen depression include behavioral issues, social withdrawal, and inadequate interest in activities (Adolescents and Clinical Depression 2 par. 3), yet the unawareness of these signs does not allow professional medical attention to intercede. Deaths, illnesses, rejection, relationship issues, and disappointment present passages down the negative path of teen depression, but treatments, such as psychotherapy, intervention programs, and antidepressants express ways to subdue this major problem. Knowledge of the increasing dilemma needs to circulate, in order to promote stable teen lives in the present and future world. Understanding major teen depression, the events and incidents that lead to depression, and how to overcome the problem will lead to a decrease in major teen depression and its growing issue in society.
School can also be affected in many ways when teens have depression. It can make it harder to concentrate, cause them to have poor attendance, and increase the trouble they cause with the school faculty (Butler). Another effect of depression is anxiety. Depression oftentimes leads to anxiety, but anxiety is more common to occur in a child on its own, without depression. Anxiety is, for the most part, normal when the body knows there is danger. This can become an issue when it evolves into such a problem that the person suffering cannot function because they are too scared to do anything (Steingard). Not only are depression and anxiety bad enough, but there are side effects of both disorders that can also affect the teenager. These side effects can include low energy, poor concentration, and withdrawal, and these cause issues with academic and social function (Steingard). Because there are so many effects of depression, treatment is extremely
Teenage Depression. Everywhere you look these two words appear together as one, in newspapers and magazines, as well as in scholarly reports. Teenage depression is one of today's "hot topics" this among other teenage mental health problems, has been brought to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years after several incidents involving school shootings (CQ 595). The environment that teens grow up in today is less supportive and more demanding than it was twenty years ago. Not only are the numbers of depressed teens rising, but children are also being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. Studies have found that, "There is an estimated 1.5-3 million American children and adolescents who suffer from depression, a condition unrecognized in children until about 20 years ago" (CQR 595). This increase in depression is due to social factors that teenagers have to deal with everyday. A recent study found that, "About five percent of teenagers have major depression at any one time. Depression can be very impairing, not only for the affected teen, but also for his or her family-and too often, if not addressed, depression can lead to substance abuse or more tragic events" (NAMI.org). Gender roles and other societal factors including the pressures on girls to look and act a certain way, the pressures on boys to suppress their emotions and put on a tough front and the pressures on both sexes to do well in school and succeed, all contribute to depression in teens today. Depression is a growing problem which crosses gender lines and one that needs to be dealt with with more than just medication.
...owing problem amongst today's teenagers. Depression brings with it many problems that can be self-destructive. If a teenager has the benefit of early intervention and help in coping with his or her depression, however, the life script can be quite different.
The feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that accompany depression can fuel a downward spiral of health and self-esteem, which can have potentially deadly results: In one study of teenage suicides, 60 to 70 percent of the teenagers had been diagnosed with a depressive illness prior to their deaths. An alarming 90 percent of the sample had some form of psychiatric diagnosis -- depression, mood disorder, or substance abuse
It may even come abruptly, happening in just a few weeks or days. Nervous breakdowns are commonly associated with depression and are often identified due to the confusion and fear that depression brings. Depression heavily influences emotions and one’s outlook on life and more than often ends up changing a person’s life in a major way. People experiencing depression often feel sad every day and cry very often, making that too another daily routine. Even when participating in activities that used to bring joy, people begin to lose interest and begin secluding themselves from people and things they love. Depression still exists in the teen population and recently has begun increasing in numbers. Reports of depression in teenagers have shown different signs from those of adults. Physical complaints are very common in the younger crowd, including stomachaches and headaches. It also leads to or is in correlation with eating disorders or abnormality, social withdrawal, and of course, depressed mood. They may feel unenthusiastic about school and other activities. Their sleeping patterns become irregular and unhealthy, they may sleep more, but still feel an extreme lack of energy or enthusiasm. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical rather than emotional
A variety of factors play a part in why someone is depressed. It could be caused by any combination of factors that relate to physical health, life events, family history, environment, genetic vulnerability, and biochemical disturbance. (WebMD). Depression can be genetic, meaning that it can run in families. Someone with a close relative who suffers from depression is more likely to become depressed. A few examples could be a child whose father passed away in Afghanistan, who is going through a period of loss and may become depressed. Or imagine going to school every day and having someone bully you. They make fun of everything about you, from your hair to your shoes. You get sad and upset. It keeps happening and the feelings begin to get worse. This is one example of how depression can manifest
Depression can negatively affect the way a person feels, thinks, and acts. This is why being depressed can have a negative effect on a persons’ academics. The person may not be able to effectively answer questions on tests and exams because they are overcome with a great sense of sadness. Thus, they could fail even though they might have studied because their mind was warped due to the depression. Social media can play a big part in a lot of teens depression because of the content on these sites. Things like cyberbullying which is one of the leading causes of depression is ever present on social media sites. Although students may not be depressed by using social media themselves they might become this way by seeing those who are depressed spread their emotions across social media. According to De Choudhury who is an assistant professor at Georgia Institute of Technology,” Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by episodes of all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. It is also well-established that people suffering from MDD tend to focus their attention on unhappy and unflattering information” (1). This gives evidence on how being depressed can have a bad impact on students’ performance because instead of feeling motivated to do well in school and achieve greatness, the
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression can be defined as a state of mental instability which affects the human body, mood, thought pattern, and relationship with others. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that about eleven percent of teenagers have depressive disorder by age eighteen. (National Institute of Mental Health). Teenage depression is one of the issues confronting teenagers in today’s society. Depression can occur at every age in the human life, but it is more common in teenagers.