Childhood Depression : A Common Disease

This topic came from the thought that depression is something that all of us have experienced at some point in our lives. It focuses on adolescents because during this period we are young and vulnerable and may not know how to cope with situations or circumstances that may lead us into depression. Factors such as going through puberty and issues at home with parents can all cause depression. This paper will talk about what is depression, how families can affect depression in the child, and how depression can lead to long term effects.

In this paper, readers will explore the psychological disorder of major depression. Depression is a very mental illness that affects many adolescents. Readers will also explore the symptoms of depression, like loss of interest, loss of sleep, etc. As many causes of this mental illness are categories in factors like neurological and social for depressed adolescents. Readers will read about the treatments of depression ranging from anti-depressants to electroconvulsive therapy in case studies mentioned. Finally, readers will understand what major depressive disorder is and how it could affect an adolescent in their times of trouble.

Depression is a common disorder throughout the world that affects all age groups. Although rare in young children, depression disrupts the lives of many teenagers. In the United States, 11.2% of 13 to 18 year olds are affected by depressive disorders annually (National Institute of Mental Health). Depression during youth is particularly destructive since it not only causes a loss of relationships and

Childhood depression has a different impact and result on people because of chemical imbalances, bullying, and abusive relationships. Chemical imbalances can have different impacts on people such as drugs or biological effects. Childhood depression does not just deal with chemical imbalances. There are other aspects to childhood depression, such as abusive relationships and bullying. Abusive relationships can effect childhood depression by parenting, siblings, or friend relationships. Bullying takes place everyday, whether it is social or school bullying.

A depressive disorder is an illness involving the body, mood, and thoughts (Psychology Today). However, every person is different, and their way of describing depression will most likely not be the same as others. A teenage girl may describe it as a never ending hole she fell into, while a middle age man can describe it as feeling like he is drowning, but breathing just fine. Depression has come to be one of society’s most substantial issues, yet it never seems to get the right amount of attention. Teenagers tend to be what the average person thinks of when they hear the word depression. They think that since some adolescents are quieter, dress differently, or act a certain way that they are sad and emotional. Sometimes it can be the person

This article specifically covers depression in teens aged twelve to seventeen. It talks about what to pay attention to in teens and how teens that have a low outlook on their life, or that struggle with self-esteem are highly prone to developing depression. It covers the natural remedies for depression that is still in an early stage and includes statistics that help enforce the severity of depression in teens. It will help me to understand the effects and risks that depression has on teens

Drug use among adolescents has been a problem in the United States for numerous years. The age frame of adolescents can bring many changes in a teenager’s life. Many life-altering events can take place during this time of one’s life and affect the person either positively or negatively. Depression can occur when adolescents are transitioning into young adult years. Moving away to college, schoolwork load, and maintaining a social life are all big parts of this time frame in life. Many cognitive problems often develop during this time also. When one enters college, they are faced with many different situations that can lead to negative consequences. Drugs, alcohol, and other substances are all present on many college campuses. Depression is a mental illness that can occur during any point in one’s life. There are many different types of depression. Some only last a few months and others last years causing harm and sadness in life. There are many statistics dealing with depression among college campuses.

Since it is a complex disease, it is still not known how depression is caused. The main causes of depression are faulty mood regulations, genetics, death or loss, medications, etc. Any of these factors alone or together can result to variations in the brain chemistry, which may lead to bipolar or other disorders. The most persistent type of depression is clinical depression, otherwise known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). As the word suggest, it affects major parts of your life. MDD is one of the most common mental disorders in America. Every year, an approximate of 7% Americans over the age of 18 suffer from this episode. The causes of MDD is still undefined, but the development of this condition can be increased due to several factors. It can be prompted by an imbalance in hormones, medications such as steroids, conditions such as cancer or hypothyroidism, etc. Many health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) have determined that depression, the most disabling disorder can affect one in five women and one in ten men in their lifetime. Hence, it is one’s duty to identify and understand their symptoms, and not leper themselves from the outside

People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. Teen depression’s intensity results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. The surprisingly low amount of people aware of teen depression creates a serious matter in today’s world. Within the past year, 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide, due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for (Vidourek). Most of the causes and signs of depression lie hidden within the individual since majorities of people experience them without any real issue arising. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to

Depression is a mental illness faced by millions of people every day. People can try to help as much as they can, but sometimes it does not do much, and they become depressed anyway ("Depression In Teens”).

Empirical evidence shows that that depression disorder in children is a common condition that affects emotional, physical, and social development. Risk factors include parental conflict, a family history of depression, poor peer relationship, negative thinking, and deficit in coping skills. Treatment criteria of children and adults are the same, with the exception that children may display irritability rather than depressed or sad mood, and loss of weight may be seen as a failure gain appropriate weight milestones. Diagnosis and treatment should take into account developmental stage, suicidality, severity of depression, and social and environmental factors. The recommended therapies for mild depression

Up until a few decades ago, you could never think about linking children with mental depression. Children were considered too small or just too immature to be depressed. Children were always happy as they had very few tensions and we, as their parents, would ensure that nothing too stressful intruded into their idyllic lives. They were never ever depressed. Unfortunately, with changing times come changing rules of civilization! We are now in the 21st century, and nowadays, depression among children is common. Doctors have now recognized mental depression in children as a clinical issue that is causing rising concern all over the world. More and more children, are being recognized by doctors or psychiatrists as suffering from mental depression.

Depression is a serious disease that affects people of all genders and ages, but there are many ways to cope with depression. Evert and McGillivray (2014) studied the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on the presence of depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in males and females with autism. People with autism tend to experience greater levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than those without autism. Cognitive behavioral therapy includes several sessions addressing issues such as identifying stressors, emotions, relationships with one’s feelings, managing internal voice, and coping mechanisms. The therapy suggested ways of managing internal voice, and how to use alternative thoughts. For example, teaching the participants to recognize when they are using negative internal self-talk, and how to replace those thoughts with positive self-talk. The participants found that the cognitive behavioral therapy decreased their depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress, and the decreased levels were maintained at three and nine month follow-ups. A person’s own emotions and internal voice can greatly affect his or her health.

Depression is a severe mood disorder and it is the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder amongst adolescents. Depression is a state that adolescents can fall easily into. Teenagers spend more time with their friends than they do with their families which can result is possible rejection of peers. Individuals feel the need to have approval of self-worth by their peers. If they get disapproval, this can lead to brutal symptoms. (Platts, Kadosh, Lau 6). The symptoms can vary from self-worthlessness, anxiety, or a

Depression a word we’re familiar with especially when it comes to adults, we know adults get depress and we understand the reasons, with the high demands in life it’s not uncommon to get lost in the shuffle. Depression in adult is something we have known for many years, but what has surprised many of us is that adolescents also get depressed. I myself still don’t fully understand the reasons why or how this happens. I see it very often adolescent coming in to the ER because they are depressed and want to hurt themselves, and each and every single time I’m shock. What could be so bad in their lives that would make them think they have no way out? This is the reason why I choice this topic, I want to learn more of how this disease affects so many children and teens and what we can do to stop it.