Depression in teenagers: Talk to them

What is the need?

Worldwide 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders & behavioral problems. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and 70% by mid-20s.

• Depression is the single largest contributor to the global burden of disease for people aged 15–19,
• Suicide is one of the 3 leading causes of mortality among people aged 15–35.
• Worldwide around 71,000 adolescents commit suicide annually, while up to 40 times as many make suicide attempts.
• Neuropsychiatric conditions, if untreated, these severely influence children’s development, their educational attainments, and their potential to live fulfilling and productive lives.

What is the cause?

The increase in mental disorders is attributed to disrupted family structures, growing youth unemployment, and families’ unrealistic educational and vocational aspirations for their children.

What is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a medical illness that can interfere with the ability to handle the daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or managing the school work. 

• It is common but that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. 
• Treatment may be needed for the person to feel better. 
• It can happen at any age, but often symptoms begin in the teens or early 20s or 30s. 
• It can occur along with other mental disorders, substance abuse, and other health conditions.

What are the symptoms/signs of depression?

The following are typical characteristics:

• Persistent sadness, boredom, and low energy
• Severe sleeping problems
• Eating disorders and weight changes
• Apathy towards friends, school, and family
• Sense of worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Deterioration in school performance
• Crying, emotional ups, and downs
• Complaints about physical symptoms such as headache
• Acting out and risk-taking behavior
• Preoccupation with death and dying
• Suicide attempts (called parasuicide)
• Difficulty in self-motivation
• Unnecessary aggression, anger, and rage
• Over-reaction to criticism
• Feels incapable of living up to the parental expectations
• Lacks self-esteem and suffers from guilt

What are the risk factors?

• Depression in a close relative
• Major life stress (examples follow)
• Recurrent stresses
• Bullying
• Broken relationship
• Child abuse
• Family break-up
• Substance abuse (e.g. alcohol, marijuana)
• Social isolation—due to race or sexuality
• Sexual maladjustment
• School failure
• Health problems
• Unemployment

How to help a depressed teenager?

• Listen to them and be alert to what they are saying and not saying
• Treat them with respect.
• Take their problems and depression seriously.
• Offer unconditional love and support.
• Be available to help when requested.
• Be flexible and consistent.
• Encourage them to express their true feelings.
• Encourage them to do things that they enjoy

Advice for parents, carers, and friends:

• Follow the above guidelines. 
• Encourage your child to get help without nagging or being judgemental 
• Ask people close to you for advice and support. 
• Do not cling to your child or show too much concern. 
• Look closely at your own management style and skills 
• Ask yourself whether you could improve or alter your approach 
• Take any talk about self-harm, including suicide, very seriously
• Make sure your child’s environment is safe.
• Professional support
• Ask your general practitioner for help 
• Encourage your child to see that it would be in his or her best interests to get help. 
• The excellent treatments available include counseling and antidepressant medication, if necessary

References:

1. https://www.unicef.org/sowc2011/pdfs/Adolescent-mental-health.pdf
2. https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/mental_health/en/
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
4. https://www.nhp.gov.in/healthlyliving/adolescent-health-10-19-years
5. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression/index.shtml
6. https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-diseases/depression photo credit
7. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/NAMI-Getting-the-Right-Start.pdf photo credit
8. https://twitter.com/UN/status/1173220672429903872/photo/1 photo credit
9. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/NAMI-Getting-the-Right-Start.pdf photo credit