Depression And Its Effects On Adolescents

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 can destroy the essence of a teen’s personality, which can cause an overwhelming sense of sadness, anger, and despair. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a person’s life. Signs and symptoms of depression can include sadness and hopelessness; irritability, anger, hostility; frequent crying; withdrawal from friends and family; a loss of interest in activities; changes in eating and sleeping habits; restlessness and aggravation;

According to the American Psychiatric Association, “If Five symptoms have been present during the same 2- week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms can be a depressive disorder or loss of interest.” The symptoms of major depression disorder would be feeling sad or empty almost everyday, decreased interest or pleasure in mostly everything, weight change or change in appetite, change in sleep, loss of energy, lack of concentration, feeling guilt or worthlessness, and having suicidal thoughts. These specific symptom/criterias are found typically in individuals who have major depression disorder. If these symptoms are not treated it can lead to other potential disorders or can make the major depression disorder become severe. Adolescents and children with major depressive disorder have a larger risk of committing suicide. Some children and adolescents might start with ideation of committing suicide and in some sever cases of major depressive disorder the individual will proceed with

Depression has a lot of symptoms, and a patient must have five or more of the symptoms in order to qualify as depressed (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.160). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) (p.160) says that feeling depressed, sad, or empty almost every day, and a loss of interest in activities that used to bring you a lot of pleasure, such as sports, writing, and sex are the two main symptoms. These symptoms turn into irritability in teens and kids, and parents tend to ignore it because they believe that it is just a teenager being a teenager. The other symptoms of depression, according to the APA (p.161) are major weight loss or gain caused by changes in eating habits, insomnia or hypersomnia, feeling restless or slowed down, fatigue without a visible reason, feeling worthless or guilty, lack of ability to think (getting easily distracted),

Depression presents in adolescents with essentially the same symptoms as in adults; however, some clinical shrewdness may be required to translate the teenagers' symptoms into adult terms. Pervasive sadness may be exemplified by wearing black clothes, writing poetry with morbid themes or a preoccupation with music that has nihilistic themes. Sleep disturbance may manifest as all-night television watching, difficulty in getting up for school, or sleeping during the day. Lack of motivation and lowered energy level is reflected by missed classes. A drop in grade averages can be equated with loss of concentration and slowed thinking.

This paper researches the possible causes and mechanisms of Major Depressive Disorder amongst adolescents age 15 to 24. It’s widely believed to be a mixture of an imbalance of neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain, psychological trauma or abuse from the past, and hereditary chromosomal similarities. There are several possible ways to attempt to fix this problem including; an implant that regulates the level of chemicals in the brain, therapy and psychological counseling, or identifying and modifying chromosomes.

Depression is a serious mental illness that severely affects adolescents and can be linked strongly to Higgins, Self-discrepancy theory and the inconsistencies that occur from internal and external environments. In order to truly understand the extent to which depression affects adolescents and the community further studies need to be undertaken. Areas involving adolescents are significantly lacking and therefore tools to resolve discrepancies are limited. Furthermore, there is little research in depression amongst gender differences (males and females) however, we know that women are more likely to have the mental illness. Currents studies present the idea that discrepancies causing depression can be altered through the alteration

Experiencing depression is different for adolescent boys and girls. As Steinberg (2014) notes that throughout adolescence and well into adulthood girls suffer from depression twice as much as adolescent boys. Puberty seems to be the time at which the tables turn and the risk for girls increases. For adolescent boys depression during adolescence is a small range of ups and downs but for girls the rates increases so much that when they move into adulthood it is a very large drop (Steinberg, 2014).

The illness may come on slowly, and then deepen gradually over months or years. It may erupt suddenly in a few weeks or days. A person who develops severe depression may appear so confused, frightened, and unbalanced so that observers speak of a “nervous breakdown.” Depression causes serious changes in a person’s feelings and outlook. A person with major depression feels sad nearly every day and may cry often. People, work, and activities that used to bring them pleasure no longer do. (Byck) Symptoms of depression can vary by age; for example, in younger children, depression may include physical complaints, such as stomachaches and headaches, as well as irritability, “moping around,” social withdrawal, and changes in eating habits. They may feel unenthusiastic about school and other activities. In adolescents, common symptoms include sad moods, sleep disturbances, and lack of energy. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical rather than emotional problems.

DeLucia, V., Kelsberg, G., Safranek, S., & Neher, J. (2016). Q/Which SSRIs most effectively treat depression in adolescents?. Journal Of Family Practice, 65(9), 632-634.

Thousands and thousands of teenagers all around the world suffer from depression. It’s a very common mental disorder that teens have come to terms with. However, people fail to realize that depression can come in a variety of ways and can attack anyone. Many aren’t even aware of the effects that can result from depression. The effects of depression can vary from person to person but the main symptoms of depression in teens are behavioral problems, significant changes in overall character, and possible thoughts of taking one’s life.

“About 11 percent of adolescents have a depressive disorder by age 18 according to the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)” (Depression in Children and Adolescents 1). Their are many reasons that contribute to a teen becoming depressed. The most naturally occurring one would be the changes in their body. Since most teens are still going through puberty, they have that “awkward stage” that can contribute to a lack of social skill. When a teenager does not fit in with the crowd, and/or left out, it can contribute to their thinking that they do not matter and that no one cares about them.

While researching I found out that many things about adolescent depression and thanks to the authors that published books, newspaper and magazines. These authors provided useful information about adolescent depression that helps me understand the results or tragic outcomes which made me value this issue. Providing me with graphs, rates, discussions and informing me with important information about adolescent depression. The information authors provided me answered me many questions I had and laid out information that help me prove my point of adolescent issue. However my target is to prove that depression in adolescents is a serious issue because it is evolving everyday leading to discouragement, internal conflict, and even suicide.

Depression has many effects, unfortunately. Depression can be short term or last a lifetime. The number of teenagers with serious depression adds up to 500,000 (Wilkinson). Depression involves both body and mind. These can involve eating, sleeping, and the way someone feels about themselves and the world. Depression may emotionally consist of constant mood of sadness and anxiety, feeling hopeless, feeling negativity, feeling guilt, feeling worthlessness, losing interest in hobbies and activities, insomnia (waking early or oversleeping), change in appetite (gaining or losing weight), decrease in energy, trouble concentrating, trouble remembering things, trouble making decisions, self-mutilation, suicidal thought, and suicidal attempts.

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.